Participatory Performance Programs for Elementary and Middle Schools
Performance Option:
This hands-on, interactive and inclusive learning experience with the classic tale of Chanticleer and the Fox provides an opportunity for a class of up to 30 children to participate on and off stage with professional actors. The children’s parts are easy to learn and fun to do, and there are opportunities for children in the class who prefer not to be on stage to participate at their comfort level with assistance “in the wings.” The performance itself is interactive with the audience, styled after the British
panto
shows, bringing the audience into the action with their shouts of helpful support. Scripts and a teacher guide are sent in advance, in addition to a synopsis and prep sheet for teachers of the other classes in the school who will attend the assembly performance. On the day of performance, GCC’s professional cast will work with the performing class in a one-hour workshop to prepare the children for the 45-minute performance. Children will be provided with costume accessories that are simple and suggestive, allowing the imagination room for play. A performance with a combined cast of students and professional actors in an assembly for the whole school follows. The event concludes with a time for questions and discussion.
Dates still available!
Extended Assistance for Performance Option: An educator from our staff is available for questions and support by phone and email at no additional charge. For those educators who would like to dramatically extend the program benefits to the class with additional on-site assistance prior to the performance day, an educator (who is also a professional actor) from our staff can be scheduled to come to your site.
Enrichment Option: This is an 8-session creative dramatics program that involves the children in developing a classic story as a performance. It may be structured to fit within an existing
after school program or added as a short-term offering. The program may be scheduled to run once or twice a week for up to 1.5 hours per session and may include up to 24 children. There is no final performance associated with this program. Bi-lingual (Spanish/English) teaching assistant may be available for this program.
Dates available as of February 24, 2003.
Chanticleer & the Fox: The tale utilized for the elementary children in each of the above programs is the Nun’s Priest’s Tale from the Canterbury Tales. A delightful barnyard romp, this tale has the Nun’s Priest become the rooster, Chanticleer, in a tale where chicken coops are filled with dreams and foxes filled with ‘fowl’ desire.
Monk’s Tale: This tale is utilized for the middle school kids. A host of heroic men and women such as Hercules, Nebuchadnezzar and Zenobia face the most momentous consequences when they gamble with Dame Fortune. Ranging from the comic to the tender, the Monk brings us a pageant of the prideful.
This program is funded in part by the California Arts Council, The California Casualty Group
and Marin Arts Council.
Please see the article in the Novato Advance
"Theater company announces innovative new program for K-8 kids"
By Mark Langton/Arts Editor
For Questions/Scheduling (click here)
