Residency+Overview



Ms. Wilkerson and Ms. Shaffer used arts infusion to explore theme in literature and strengthen comprehension and fluency as part of an artist in residence program sponsored in part by [|Arts Erie] of Erie, PA. First, Mrs. Shaffer's classes read the novels //Number the Stars// by Lois Lowry and //Bystander// by James Preller, comparing and contrasting them to identify themes of courage in the face of aggression. Next they worked with Ms. Wilkerson to explore the novels through theatre, using tableaux, teacher in role and improvisation to put themselves in the character's shoes. Working with sculptures the students explored meaning kinesthetically, re-creating themes from the works as their own frozen images. Side by side with this work they learned about theatre through creative dramatics and theatre games, working on images as metaphor and games for articulation, stage movement, blocking and creating a character. Finally they chose a theme inspired by the books and created their own theatre performance piece, starting from a simple series of three images (beginning, middle and end) and bringing these images to life to create character, dialogue and action. The results of their work are featured in these pages. The plays were written collaboratively, and written from their hearts. These plays were written with a sense of mission, the students hope that their art making will help others understand bullying and perhaps inspire kids with some hope and some ideas.

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