Annual Class Plays
The annual class play is an important spring tradition at Journey School. It is also a key element of Waldorf-inspired education. As a Journey School Teacher eloquently explained several years ago:
“Preparation for a class play begins long before the day it is first introduced to the students. The curriculum of the year, the children’s individual needs, and their developmental readiness must all be observed and brought into consideration early in the process. The various stories, subjects, and themes from the course of the year are weaved together into the play experience. The play is then tailored, whether borrowed or actually written by the class teacher, to meet all desired goals. The goals may be woven from social lessons, goals in speech, singing, or the many other possible benefits from performing a role in front of one’s peers.”
Each student performs in the play and roles are carefully often chosen to support individual student needs and particular social dynamics. Through the creative process, the class learns to work together as the production expands from a small skit in the younger grades to something more involved by 8th Grade—such as an engaging historical reenactment or Shakespearean play.
Hopefully, the audience will witness a, “A high level of speech and work that is cultivated as well as how nourishing the class play is for each child. Both individually and in unison, the class is learns to work together in a coordinated effort to present a comprehensible and relevant story.”
In the younger grades, the class typically learns their lines together and orally, “One stanza at a time over the course of several weeks.” As this process unfolds, parent volunteers and older students who have mastered handwork skills often design costumes and actual sets.
If you have not yet had the experience of watching a Journey School play, please know you are cordially invited to any one of them listed in the calendar of activities.
2013 Announcements
Journey Middle School Theatre Arts presents Momo and the Time Thieves (Michael Ende)
“Nobody knows where she came from but everyone knows if they have any kind of problem they should go see Momo. It’s not that Momo knows all the answers; it’s that she knows how to listen…”
Performance date: January 25 (Friday) 6-p.m.
Place: Journey School MPR transcended into Momo’s amphitheater
Special Assembly: The play is presented in connection with Journey’s Compassionate Campus and performers will bring one scene to the grades at assembly on Wednesday, January 23rd.
This play is about the gifts human beings give each other through attentive listening. In the presence of this deep listening, people can solve their own problems. The play touches on the contemporary angst of living a hurried life which takes time away from the creative art of communication. The cast of colorful (and grey!) characters each speak from a different vantage point, reminding us of the power in telling and hearing each other’s stories, true friendship, and compassion.
Theatre students are directed by Holly Telford-Rioux, who brings experience and passion in teaching and guiding students in Theatre Arts. To learn more about Ms.Holly click here.
Call for volunteers: Theatre Arts is a community affair, and we need more people to join the fun. Click here for a PDF list of Theater Needs. Please email Ms. Holly to help build sets, lend props, etc.: hjwilliams13@gmail.com
