Paula Sjogerman

on 7/3/03 5:31 PM, [email protected] at
[email protected] wrote:

> I've taught theater for the past four years to high schoolers.
> The biggest difference in how I teach is that we focus on what I
> call "the real." I have no patience for quizzes (in theater? Give me
> a break) text books, twaddle. We use quality plays and scenes (I
> loved doing Shakespeare), we have real performances and we
> work on acting and directing. I do the directing but am always
> taking suggestions since the class is very free flowing. I've had
> the same basic group of kids for four years and they've become
> so special to me.

Ah! I felt you were a kindred spirit, Julie!

My dh and I are actor/directors/teachers too. We have done many years of
work in public schools and have run the gamut from great to soul-sucking
experiences. We still do it for money (when the money is right <gg>).

My best thing now is working with our hs group. Me and another theater mom
have done Scene Study with 18-20 kids 9-16 for the last two years. It's been
so fun! And just like you said, they love it because it's real work we're
doing. Some of the plays we've done: Tartuffe, Servant of Two Masters, Glass
Menagerie, Miracle Worker.

In the fall, we're going to try full productions. I'm a bit nervous about
that large an undertaking, but it'll be interesting for sure.

Love to hear more about what you're doing,
Paula

Julie Bogart

--- In [email protected], Paula
Sjogerman <sjogy@s...> wrote:

>
> Ah! I felt you were a kindred spirit, Julie!

:)


>
> My best thing now is working with our hs group. Me and
another theater mom
> have done Scene Study with 18-20 kids 9-16 for the last two
years. It's been
> so fun!

I'm in a homeschool co-op and worked with one other mom.
We've had a blast.


And just like you said, they love it because it's real work we're
> doing. Some of the plays we've done: Tartuffe, Servant of Two
Masters, Glass
> Menagerie, Miracle Worker.

I just saw a production of Tartuffe. What a great play! HIlarious!!
>
> In the fall, we're going to try full productions. I'm a bit nervous
about
> that large an undertaking, but it'll be interesting for sure.

Full length is a big challenge. We only meet weekly so I knew I
couldn't ever do more than a one act. We did those last year. I
enjoyed the Shakespeare scenes the most (Have you seen
"Clues to Acting Shakespeare"--great book!) This last year we
did Advanced Improvisation. They loved that. Did a performance
a bit akin to Who's Line is it Anyway?

This year I'm doing Reader's Theater with the junior high kids to
get them ready for my program in high school.

It's fun to share about this with other theater moms!

Julie B