As guests entered the Black Box Theater, with Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind” playing softly overhead, Class 2 students waited anxiously behind the curtains.
These special guests were parents/guardians, Professional Community members and Chapin siblings, who were invited to watch Class 2’s fabulous original plays during the week of March 13. (Each homeroom performed on a different day.) This fun, interdisciplinary project began by pulling inspiration from Class 2’s study of New York City, which is the central theme of their social studies curriculum. In Drama, with guidance from Head of LS Arts Integration and drama teacher Sarah Bellantoni, each homeroom developed a mystery in NYC, complete with locations, characters and scenes. In Dance, students worked with partners and dance teacher Susan Strong to choreograph. During Music, with the help of music teacher Hallie Stotler, students brainstormed phrases that expressed what their characters felt or needed and used those phrases to create a rhythmic tune.
Our actors worked very hard and were so excited to share their witty, unique and creative works (titled “The Kid Detective Agency,” “The Liberty Café,” and “Mission Mind Control”) with the Chapin community! Brava!
