Theatre and Education Residency - Winans Elementary

When the theatre students of the "Space Station 3G" ran into the elementary students classroom buzzing about their future venture into the unknown, it was apparent that the sense of reality the theatre majors had created for the younger students was working. These pictures document Day 2 in Barb Knighton's classroom at Winans Elementary. Knighton, along with the other elementary teacher Gini Larson have been absolutely thrilled with the work. Both teachers have commented to Joni Starr on how they enjoy watching their students engage in learning in a different way. They have spoken to individuals who don't usually participate fully as being right in the middle of things and contributing effectively. Starr is equally proud of her students. "I m very proud of my students and their commitment to the work," She said. "It is difficult to simultaneously balance the skills of actor and teacher and to facilitate students from the inside of dramatic situation, but they are performing beautifully." The theatre students returned to Knighton's class on Thursday, Dec. 9 to complete Day 3 of their residency. The audio in this video is of teacher Barb Knighton taking part in the activity and reading a letter to the students from "the founders" of the Space Station. She gave an inspiring and believable speech that ended Day 2 with a bang.

Nov. 13 Orchesis Showing

To ensure that the Orchesis Student Dance Concert is a continual learning experience for both the cast and choreographer, the students involved are all participating in three different showings to share, discuss and receive feedback on each piece. Two respondents who are immersed in the dance world were invited to MSU and gave feedback to the choreographers and dancers at the first showing which took place on November 13. Alison Woerner, a visiting assistant professor of dance at Oakland University, and Heather Vaughan-Southard, a dance professor at Everette High School in Lansing and previous choreographer for MSU Repertory concerts, provided feedback at the showing. Through the use of constructive feedback they challenged the students to ask themselves questions about what is or what is not working in their piece. They told choreographers what they saw and gave them things to think about for the future rehearsals.

Rehearsals for this concert started in September and the dances have been continually evolving. These showings are just one aspect of the choreographic process of the concert. For many of the choreographers (myself included) this is the first time we have crafted a dance. The feedback provides us with a fresh pair of eyes to view the dance and give thought provoking ideas and questions to ask ourselves. A second showing took place December 5 and the last showing will take place January 22. This is the first year that three showings have been utilized in the completion of the concert.

Megan McDowell - Arts Bridge Scholar

Megan McDowell is a senior Theatre BFA student at Michigan State University. McDowell is part of the Arts Bridge Scholar program, a national program placing University students in local schools to integrate the arts in everyday learning. She is placed at the Heartwood School and Capital Area Career Center in the Ingham Intermediate School District working with young adults with special needs. The individuals she works with range between the ages of 14 and 25. As a part of her time in the field McDowell and the students will be putting together their own rendition of "The Wizard of Oz" in May which will be performed for the student's parents. Along with putting together the final performance, she also helps the students to express themselves through theatre as they use their imagination to explore and discover more about themselves.