Modernizing Fairy Tales- Actors Workshop

There are many ways in which our students feel comfortable performing. Some students perform as leaders within a group setting or as individual role models within the classroom. Some students perform as mentors, guiding and directing their peers towards a common goal. Some students perform on our sports teams, representing our school with pride both on and off campus. Leading Edge Academy students have many performance opportunities.

However, when it comes the Performing Arts, not all students feel comfortable with the idea of performing on stage in front of a live audience. One key element that Cary Zierenberg and I discussed when collaborating on the Modernization of Fairy Tales was to create that sense of comfort and safety that would allow all students to feel confident stepping out of their shell and assuming another role. We realized that this basic element was critical in order to engage all students.

Luckily for us, we share a campus with the amazing Performing and Fine Arts Academy! With the help of Tyra Simone, the Senior Project Advisor, we enlisted the help of senior Chazz Distefano who will lead our students through a 10- hour Actors Workshop in the Expressive Arts Classroom. This workshop will lead right up to the day that the 8th grade class leaves for the Ashland Shakespeare Festival field trip. We believe that the momentum gained from these rich experiences will cultivate a culture of appreciation for the performing arts and provide students with the skills necessary to produce and perform.