Show Time! Virtual Show Performance Class

Are you ready for the spotlight? In this four week class, students will learn, rehearse, and perform a virtual show! Come with some experience with performing or none at all, the goal of our class is to explore acting and have FUN!

Week 1:

We will begin the first day with introductions and getting to know each other and move into reading the script. PLEASE NOTE STUDENTS MUST HAVE A STRONG FOUNDATION IN READING SKILLS TO JOIN CLASS! They will receive continuous support from Miss Lauryn, but being able to follow along and read aloud will be extremely helpful here (message for any questions or concerns!). After reading the script, we will collaborate to determine who would like to play what parts and read once more to solidify roles. We will then take a brief break to stretch our legs, go to the restroom, and get a drink of water. This will also be a great time to socialize and check in with each other as we take a moment away from our work! We will then create a props list, costume designs, and set designs for the show. Before we end camp for the day, students will be encouraged to start memorizing their lines with the help of folks at home, but this is not a requirement! They may also be asked to find props on our props list. We will then each share a word or sound to describe how we felt about the day.

Week 2: 

We will begin the second class with warm ups for the body and the voice (our instrument for the play!) as well as some games to wake up our creative minds. We will then learn the basics and definitions of stage directions, the importance of ensemble, and how to "cheat out." We will also work on developing our characters with gestures (how does our character move? what is their go to action?), as well as deciding our character's objective for the play. We will then take a brief break to stretch our legs, go to the restroom, and get a drink of water. This will also be a great time to socialize and check in with each other as we take a moment away from our work! When we return from the break we will begin rehearsing the play, incorporating all we discussed with character, stage directions, and props. Before we end camp for the day, students will be encouraged to continue memorizing their lines with the help of folks at home, or finding a way to prop their script by their device so they can read while also being present onscreen. They may also be asked to start creating their set and costumes. We will then each share a word or sound to describe how we felt about the day.

Week 3: 

We will begin the third class with warm ups for the body and the voice (our instrument for the play!) as well as some games to wake up our creative minds.  We will then attempt a "stumble through," which means we will run the show from top to bottom without any stops to see what work still needs to be done. We will then review notes from the stumble through before attempting another run of the show working on improving upon the work from the previous day. Students will also have the opportunity to ask questions and address any of their concerns. We will then discuss what a "dress rehearsal" is, which means that we will run the show in our costumes with the props and set ready to go as if it was a performance. We will then take a brief break to stretch our legs, go to the restroom, and get a drink of water. This will also be a great time to socialize and check in with each other as we take a moment away from our work! When we return from the break, we will take a moment to get set and then attempt a dress rehearsal. After the dress rehearsal we will review notes and discuss show time! The performance will take place on the final day of camp, and students' families will be invited to join their student in their home space in the last 20 minutes of class (families can also view the class recording after class to get a better view!). We will discuss how show time will be run, what to expect, and how to handle nerves! Before we end for the day, students will be reminded to have their sets and props ready to go at the start of our next class and come in the costume they would like to wear for the final performance. We will then each share a word or sound to describe how we felt about the day. 

Week 4 (Show Time!):

We will begin the final day with warm ups for the body and the voice (our instrument for the play!) as well as some games to wake up our creative minds. We will then take a few moments to get set for another dress rehearsal and run the play. We will review notes after the run, make sure everyone is feeling confident about the show, and then go into an early break. During this time students can review their lines, go to the bathroom, get a drink of water, or just take some time away from the script to socialize with their now friends! After the break, we will do some additional exercises to get our energy show-ready, and then talk about what we're excited about for the show. At the 20 minute-to-end-of-class mark, we will take a moment to go grab our families to be our audience. And then it's SHOW TIME! After the performance (and our bows!) we will each share one final word or sound to describe how we felt about our final performance.

*Please note that any scenes/plays performed are written by the instructor or collaboratively with the students. These scenes/plays are NOT published works written by anyone other than the individuals involved in the class.