Partners: Corena Morse and Rosanne Russell, teachers at Appleby Elementary School, Marathon, NY, dramatic artist John Tomasello.
Students: 80 2nd-grade students.
BIG IDEA: To see students through a reinterpretation of the theatrical production of “Superfudge” to learn about the relationship of theater and literature, to engage in story and performance, and to develop a sense of being responsible, respectful audience members.
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Action: Students at the school had the experience of the production, the 2nd grades worked with the partners to develop their own interpretation of the play to create their own theater piece to perform for others.
Planning: There were two 3-hour initial planning sessions.
Implementation: The students had the story read to them, and then they saw a theatrical production, followed by discussion of the story, characters, and theme to build their own interpretation for performance for other students and the public. The artist came in for a day to work with the students to create the final productions. Through collaboration in character development, theater arts, and creative ideas, the students showed what they had derived from the story in the other versions they had experienced.
Evaluation: The project showed what a powerful tool the performing arts can be in not only meeting curriculum requirements but in bringing out their individual voices, helping them demonstrate themselves as positive role models for others, in developing respect and responsibility as audience members and to each other. For some, it was an opportunity to “come out of their shell” through acting or to find an approach in the educational process that is exciting and engaging in a way different from what they experience daily.