Entry 29: "The Final Curtain Call"

As I reflect on my senior year, I am overwhelmed with all of the valuable lessons I have learned through my triumphs and my trials throughout the course of this year. God has been faithful from day 1, even through the tearful stage of choosing a project. I remember choosing a project was so difficult for me and I felt as if I would never complete that stage. I spent my whole summer fretting about the ordeal. However, by God’s grace, I was directed in pursuing a project that involved two of my passions: Drama and children. I remember thinking it was too good to be true.  The project proposal time came, and I made the board members act as trees, and then the ball started rolling. At first the kids were timid, but I could tell by the gleam in their eyes they would grow to love Drama.  As the semester continued we explored concentration, theatre etiquette, props,  projection, staying in character, and we all had fun in the process. As December grew closer, I knew that I was not ready to say goodbye to the kids and decided to focus on refining the kids’ drama skills. The process of directing the play was stressful, but one of the greatest experiences I have had throughout my Oakbrook career. I had no control over the kids’ performances because they were the ones to memorize their lines, gather their costumes, and develop their character. All I could do was encourage them in their process and in the discovery. It was a very rewarding experience and I thank God for the opportunity He granted me to work with such wonderful kids, and teachers, despite the roadblocks of snow days, scheduling problems, and sickness. The kids exceeded expectations and I am very proud of what they accomplished and I hope that teachers will be able to continue using drama to explore the wonderful world of the arts and learn more about themselves and their own passions.

Entry 28: "Memory- I can smile at the old days..."

It has been so weird adjusting to this week! Last week already seems so far away as I look back on scrambling to get the kids ready for their performances, and waited with anxious jitters for their shows to be complete. I miss the project part of my Senior Project so much!! Now I have to start putting my portfolio together and start thinking about presentation day. I have a lot to do in a short amount of time! I really want to start playing around with movie maker/power point in hopes of creating a very nice slide show for my Senior Project. I hope all goes well!!! Other than that, I am anxiously awaiting Saturday because we leave for Nicaragua!!! I pray that God will use us in whatever way he deems best--I can hardly stand my excitement!!! :D
(By the way, my title alludes to the famous song "Memory" from the musical CATS, in case you didn't know!)

Entry 27: Costumes, Cameras, ACTION!!!!

As all of the performances draw to a close I cannot even begin to express how proud I am of my kids. In all honesty, these kids have truly developed into actors/actresses! They all worked so hard to memorize their lines, and they all collaborated when it came to encouraging others to stay in character, project, and not be nervous about the performances. God is so good! I was so impressed with my kids on Monday when one expressed, "I'm nervous about doing this in front of people..." and then one of my other students responded, "We've already done this in front of people, you're going to be fine!" I have to admit, those kind of moments bring a smile to my face. After the performance today all the kids told me they wanted to do another play and wished they could continue drama. On Tuesday when the kids started realizing that drama was coming to a close, their faces dropped and were astonished with the realization that they wouldn't have drama anymore. It broke my heart and yet warmed it at the same time. I hope to go down and visit them even when my Senior Project is over! I love these kids! There were a couple times I almost cried when they gave me flowers, or just hugged me to tell me thank you. It has been such a wonderful experience, and I can't believe there's only one more to go! More pictures are coming if these don't seem like enough! :)

Entry 24: "The Show Must Go On"

With less than a week away from my kids' first performance I am beginning to understand the thrilling/terrifying experience that Mr. Tinkler (and all other Drama teachers) have to endure everytime before productions! The amazing thing is you can only tell the kids so much, but it is ultimately up to them to showcase what they have learned. This week was called "dress rehearsal," but unfrotunately not all students have had their costumes...however, I instructed them to bring them in by Friday and I have been observing all of them. My class today was the most successful yet with the abiliy to try on their costumes and practice diligently in them. They did a fantastic job and THEY ARE ADORABLE! The kids are so cute there's a chance no one will be able to concentrate on their lines! However, that would be a shame because the kids have worked very, very hard on memorizing. I have been pleasantly surprised with the diligence of the kids. I understand the 1st and 2nd grade mind is very high wired and energetic, but I am so thankful they are learning how to harness their energy and put it into something productive! Unforunately a child has been missing from every single class (due to sickness), but I am praying they will be able to be there (with costumes!) for the performance!!! I am very tempted to have the students perform the play twice so the parents could possibly observe what they have been learning...however I have not decided yet. My biggest class is moving to the gym tomorrow, and I am anxious to see how it all works out! God is good, and I am so excited for what He has in store for me and my kids!

Entry 25: Put on A Happy Face!

This week I finally learned hwo to upload pictures! These are from the past, but I hope you enjoy them nonetheless!

We have 2 weeks until our first performance...and I think we'll be able to get it all done! I still have to block my Friday class for their play, but all the kids are learning their lines, and the parents are getting costumes together. I think they are going to be wonderful shows! If you would like to attend. There will be performances in the Oakbrook Gym on:
Monday- March 7 at 12:30                           Thursday- March 10 at 12:30
Tuesday- March 8 at 12:30                           Friday- March 11 at 12:30
I hope everyone can come, I think they are going to be enjoyable performances! :)

Entry 23: "Be Prepared!" (from the Lion King)

This year is flying by, and as the day of the performance approaches I become more and more nervous about it all. I think that two of my classes are in good shape, but I am not sure they are ready to perform quite yet. Two of my classes already have all their lines memorized, and they are SO cute, but it's hard to hold their attention for a long period of time...and the concept of "staying in character" is a foreign concept to them. I explain to them how when on stage, they are an animal the whole time, and cannot change in the middle of the performance. I review the concept with them, and they understand it, but it is still difficult for them to put it into practice. However, this is a battle with young (or old) actors everyhwere. For some reason it is so difficult to process! Sometimes my classes forget about the acting portion and jump to set design, costumes, and start talking about having a curtain, and each day I have to remind them that in order to build a house, you have to have a floor (foundation) first! I think that really helped them understand what we have to focus on, but it's stil hard putting it into practice. A conflict has risen up in my scheduling though for my Friday class. Last Friday I missed my Friday class (which happens to be the biggest, and least prepared) because of a school program and this week I am most likely going to miss my lesson because of basket-ball. I am going to email Mrs. Putnam and ask her if I can change the lesson to the morning, but I do not know if I will be able to. The alternative is scheduling extra practices on Wednesday...but we will see what the Lord has in store!
I met with Mr. Tinkler this week and he is on board with everything I m doing, and even has extra cardboard I can use for sets, and I'm very excited about starting the sets! We will see what will happen in the future...and I hope that all will work out in the end!

Entry 22: The good, the bad, and the ugly!

On my last post I was instructed to share the hard part of my Senior Project and bring myself back to reality. This week we started blocking the show...there is something about standing up that make kids so excited! For one class, we didn't even get to finish blocking! For today (and tomorrow's) lessons I have mapped out everything (blocking, sets, props, etcetera) in hopes of blocking everyone by the end of the lesson. I am nervous because I have my biggest classes on Thursday and Friday. Also, I have to start getting the cardboard soon so I can start preparing the sets. The kids are SO excited about the set and their costumes they forget to actually practice the play! I think half of the lesson is spent asking questions, and the other half me answering them! I love working with them and I know the majority of their questions are meaningful, but it is still hard to practice when they are constantly asking questions!  The majority of them are working on their lines, and some have already memorized them! On the other hand, there are some who are constantly giving me a hard time claiming, "I can't do that, it's too long" or, "I can't read this it's too embarrassing." It's interesting though because the kids with the biggest personalities are, for the majority, the ones who are too shy to say their line. It fascinates me and nearly drives me crazy at the same time because I know they can do it, they just have to work on conquering stage fright. We have been working on that ever since I've given them the play. However, the kids are having a blast and I am so excited I have been blessed to work with them, I'm beginning to truly understand how much work goes into teaching and how teachers must feel all day...THANK YOU TEACHERS! :)