Jessica Cope leads a class at Lincoln Elementary in Lakewood.
In the May issue of our print newsletter, Overture, Jessica Cope shared a glimpse of her work as a teaching artist for TMTP’s school program, “Kids Love Musicals.” We also asked her to blog about her experience…here’s her second entry!
THE RESIDENCY:
DAY ONE
When I get to my classroom, I begin setting up immediately. First thing I set up is my boom box and CD’s with all the accompaniments of the songs I sing or teach. Gotta have the music and make sure it’s ready to go! Secondly, I set aside the costumes I’ll be using for that particular class. Sometimes half the challenge of the class is keeping the kids engaged and focused when you are NOT actually teaching. In the entire 50-minute period it may only take a few moments to cue to music or pass out costumes, but the kids get so excited the moment you say “COSTUMES”—they freak out! I know that feeling too. As a professional, I still get excited the first time I put on a costume after weeks of rehearsal. You feel transformed.
The kids file in and it’s just like an audition, except I’m the one vying for the job. “God, I really neeeeed this job!” (Ahem, sorry). What I mean is theatre is fun, but also tough. Trying new things and getting up in front of your peers in this class is a first time experience for many kids. I want them to be comfortable with me and feel welcome. I smile—A LOT. And as cliché as it sounds, I try to be myself. That is certainly all I can ask of them. Be yourself and have fun! At the beginning, I also try to be clear with them about what is going to happen throughout the class and establish boundaries. I’m the one in charge for next 50-minutes. The lesson, I feel, is pretty unsuccessful if they don’t believe in my leadership. It’s funny: just like in an audition, it only takes 30 seconds to a minute for them to figure out if you’re in control and you’ve got what it takes.
Once the introduction is complete, we dive into the story of the musical. I like to think of the classes as being divided up into four parts. First, we spend time discussing the story. These questions go beyond the basic knowledge of the plot. I like to ask them what they thought about a certain event in the story, a specific character, or how the student thinks the character is feeling throughout the story. These are some of the questions professional actors ask themselves when preparing to play a role.
Secondly, the story starts to come to life. I portray a character like Dorothy or Peter Pan, and perform a song from the musical. I enjoy this part of the class because even though I’m performing, I can still include the kids in a variety of ways and it gives them an up close experience of an actor changing into the character. I think it’s important for kids to understand that theatre on a live stage is a completely different experience than sitting in your living room in front of a TV, so during the introduction we talk about audience member etiquette. They learn what is appropriate: when to sit still and listen and also when and how to respond before, during or after a performance. Sometimes a song will call for a response from them or clapping in rhythm. They learn how to interact with out being totally disruptive.
Next, we begin the “rehearsal” process. Another song is chosen from the musical for the kids to learn and practice. I become the director and give students their roles. Often times the students are divided into groups so they can work together creating a character. We continue to discuss what the surroundings look like and how each character looks, speaks, acts, etc. I try to be very organized and work on one piece of puzzle at a time. We will physically map out the scene and practice speaking lines, and then I’ll teach the lyrics of the song and then the dance steps.
After we’ve run through the entire scene, we put on the costumes and have a final performance. The kids always rise to the occasion! It’s a beautiful moment to see pure joy and a sense of accomplishment on their faces, and what they have accomplished in such a short amount of time! By the end of the first day, we stop somewhere in the middle of the story and with just a few minutes left in the class I try to recap what we’ve worked on thus far–how we all worked together to create an entire scene. Before I go, I thank them for all their hard work and remind them that we will finish the story the next day. I packed up my bags, sign out in the office and head for home to recharge for Day 2.
TO BE CONTINUED…DAY TWO!
Click here to read Jessie’s first Kids Love Musicals! blog post.
