Field Trip Inspiration

In planning for our Modern Fairytale performances, we took our 8th graders on a trip to Ashland, Oregon for the Shakespeare Festival. It gave our students the opportunity to explore a college campus, attend theatre workshops and analyze both a modernization of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing and the classic musical, Guys and Dolls.

The excitement from the trip was awesome. Students loved the performances and were able to discuss elements that they wanted to include in their own Fairytale performances. Despite the "language barrier" of the Shakespeare performance, students understood the story line and laughed aloud at the banter between Beatrice and Benedick. The set design, music and choreography of the two performances inspired students to think beyond the box in this project.

The workshops were especially meaningful. Students had professional actors and a make-up artist lead them through elements of a production. From Stage Fighting to Stage Make-up, they got first hand experience and practice.