##_SLIDESHOW##
Forty Lower School students performed Charlotte’s Web, E.B. White’s famous novel, on Friday, May 6, in the Lower School Student Activity Center. The Lower School’s first dramatic production, chosen instead of the traditional Lower School spring musical, stretched students to new artistic levels. They acted as both cast members and crew members, and took active leadership roles, alongside Steve Henson, Lower School music teacher.
The students moved and carried set pieces on and off stage, created sound effects, and generally ‘ran’ the production, all under the leadership of fourth grader Marin Eckerson, who was the ‘assistant director.’ She made sure all sound effects and music cues were perfectly executed and assisted in cueing lines throughout the last couple of weeks of rehearsal.
“Charlotte’s Web was not a ‘kids’ version of a play, where oftentimes plot lines are eliminated so young performers do not have to memorize as much,” said Henson. “It was an adult show and the Lower School students took ownership of their roles, memorized a full-length version, and performed it well.”
In addition to creating a top-notch production, the students learned new drama concepts, such as adhering to proper stage direction and blocking, as well as utilizing stage vernacular such as upstage, downstage, stage right, stage left, down stage left, and up stage right.
Students learned terms that have been used since the days of William Shakespeare and also had to adapt actions to stage talking, which is different than conversation talking. They came to understand terms like ‘opening up’ to the audience, and not ‘upstaging’ another character who has lines. The entire production was a true fusion of performance with education.
”For this production, 'staying in character' was paramount in my mind as the director,” said Henson. “Students were pushed to transform from children into adult characters or farm animals and had to remain in that character from the beginning of the production to end. All student performers achieved this feat and I could not have been more proud of them for it!”
Kayla Marsh, Upper School drama teacher, who is always scouting for new talent for Whitefield’s Middle School and Upper School drama program, agreed.
“I am genuinely blown away at the performance level that can be pulled out of such young performers,” said Marsh. “I really loved this show!”
Forty Lower School students performed Charlotte’s Web, E.B. White’s famous novel, on Friday, May 6, in the Lower School Student Activity Center. The Lower School’s first dramatic production, chosen instead of the traditional Lower School spring musical, stretched students to new artistic levels. They acted as both cast members and crew members, and took active leadership roles, alongside Steve Henson, Lower School music teacher.
The students moved and carried set pieces on and off stage, created sound effects, and generally ‘ran’ the production, all under the leadership of fourth grader Marin Eckerson, who was the ‘assistant director.’ She made sure all sound effects and music cues were perfectly executed and assisted in cueing lines throughout the last couple of weeks of rehearsal.
“Charlotte’s Web was not a ‘kids’ version of a play, where oftentimes plot lines are eliminated so young performers do not have to memorize as much,” said Henson. “It was an adult show and the Lower School students took ownership of their roles, memorized a full-length version, and performed it well.”
In addition to creating a top-notch production, the students learned new drama concepts, such as adhering to proper stage direction and blocking, as well as utilizing stage vernacular such as upstage, downstage, stage right, stage left, down stage left, and up stage right.
Students learned terms that have been used since the days of William Shakespeare and also had to adapt actions to stage talking, which is different than conversation talking. They came to understand terms like ‘opening up’ to the audience, and not ‘upstaging’ another character who has lines. The entire production was a true fusion of performance with education.
”For this production, 'staying in character' was paramount in my mind as the director,” said Henson. “Students were pushed to transform from children into adult characters or farm animals and had to remain in that character from the beginning of the production to end. All student performers achieved this feat and I could not have been more proud of them for it!”
Kayla Marsh, Upper School drama teacher, who is always scouting for new talent for Whitefield’s Middle School and Upper School drama program, agreed.
“I am genuinely blown away at the performance level that can be pulled out of such young performers,” said Marsh. “I really loved this show!”