Spring Play

INFORMATION MEETING FOR SPRING PLAY: Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2:15–3:00 pm, Little Theatre

This Information meeting and first ensemble building activity is for all students interested in participating in our Spring Play, an adaptation of The Jungle Book, written and directed by drama teacher Richard Silberg. All students—including sixth graders, theatre ensemble members, and students who were not involved in our first production—are welcome.

At this meeting Mr. S will have a handout listing the dates of the following:  reading of the play, auditions, rehearsal obligations, and of course dates of the performances.  If your child cannot make this meeting she or he must drop by the Little Theatre sometime after Wednesday to get an information sheet.  This is their first step in the being part of our new ensemble.  Information sheets will also be available in a box outside the Little Theatre door after Wednesday’s meeting.  It is, however, preferable to come to our first information meeting as we will do some activities as well as get information.

6th Grade

Instructors:   Mr. Silberg or Mr. Hoppe

All students participate in a nine-week drama course as part of the Wheel Program rotation.  These classes are designed to introduce students to and extend their experience with drama and will include Shakespeare, improvisation, voice training, scene building, and storytelling, among other things.

7th and 8th Grades

Drama Elective

Instructor:   Mr. Silberg

Students have the option to sign up for an elective class that gives them an opportunity to go more in depth in their study of Drama. In this class, students will train in physical theatre techniques, learn scene study skills, and explore work with masks, monologues, and dramatic writing as well as other topics related to the world of theatre.  This elective is offered for either for a semester or a full year depending on the year.  This class meets during the regular school day and is part of the student’s regular schedule. This class is taught by Mr. Silberg.

English Language Instruction and Academic Literacy through Drama Elective

Instructor:   Mr. Silberg

In this elective  class, 7th and 8th grade students newer to English have the opportunity to learn and practice conversational language and grow in academic literacy using drama techniques. Students for this full-year class are recommended by teachers, and it is part of their elective program.

After School Performance Ensemble

Instructor:   Mr. Silberg

This group meets after school.  In general, it is for 7/8th graders only due to the large number of students interested (there are fifty students this year).  This group trains in ensemble technique and creates an original play that grows out of this training and then performs a second play in the spring.  In the past, we have done adaptations (The Odyssey, Beowulf, The Jungle Book, Seedfolks) as well as seventy-minute versions of Shakespeare, all adapted and directed by Mr. Silberg.