It’s been a big Term: Eleven Weeks long, and with some classes absolutely filled to the brim, it’s been a big effort reaching the point of presentations to parents. After school classes presented Theatre Games to parents on Tuesday & Wednesday nights this week, and there were big laughs all round as students improvised their way out of tough situations to entertain their audiences.

While there were too many highlights to start mentioning here, one thing that struck me is that when they are asked to use their imaginations, students are like Big Bright (Helium filled) Balloons: They do not want to stay grounded. Their natural need is to fly up into the stratosphere as fast as possible. They want to go wild, lose control, disappear into the blue and touch the sun!

Well, I certainly honed my side-coaching skills this term in reminding them: ‘Feet still.’ ‘Clear voice.’ ‘Chin up.’ ‘Don’t forget to breathe now. BREATHE!’ All of these say, in other words: ‘Stay grounded!’ Well, it’s a balancing act, isn’t it? Because, you want your students to express everything they think and feel, but there is also a lot of power in the technique. The fun of THEATRE GAMES is that they practice all these techniques (including the Orientation, Complication, Resolution journey of storytelling that they already know from Literacy at school) almost subconsciously as they let fly in the guise of Big Bright Balloons!

WHAT A TERM!!

Term 2’s After School Classes at Newtown Public focus on public speaking and acting with WHO’S AFRAID OF THE BIG BAD MONOLOGUE, and there are still a few spots left for this Easter’s School Holiday Program THE FOUR-DAY PLAY!