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! :)

Entry 21: Gettin' Ready for the Show!

It's already February and in regards to my Senior Project, everything is coming along smoothly! I sent out my letters to the parents in Thursday folders, I met with Mr. Tinkler, the kids are learning their parts, and now we're moving to costuming and set design! Well, we still have to work on character analysis, but I think they are really catching on! Some kids already have their lines memorized and whenever they see me, they run up and start reciting them! :) It makes me very happy! Each child has one line (because they all wanted one!) and I am doing two different shows, "Rumble in the Jungle" and Cock-A-Doodle-Doo! Barnyard Hullabaloo!" They are both so much fun and the kids are really enjoying it! "Rumble in the Jungle" is set in the jungle and incoroporates the famous jungle animals such as chimpanzees, elephants, snakes, gorillas, tigers, lions, and leopards, etc. The kids are really enjoying it! :)
"Barnyard Hullabaloo" incorporates farm animals such as a cow, a rooster, chickens, geese, a donkey, a horse, a sheep, a goat, etc. It is so much fun watching them learn their parts, and actually enjoy them! They alll are working diligently on their lines and are very excited about getting into costumes. Some of them have bombarded me with suggestions for the set and even blocking! It is wonderful! :) I am looking forward to March 7-11 and I know it will creep up a lot faster than I can ever imagine! As a result, I am enjoying each and every moment of this process! : D