2007-2008 Neighborhood Bridges Residency Program

healy Elementary, 8th grade

Inquiry Question:

"How can I use storytelling, creative writing and performance to explore how the choices we make effect who we are as people?"

For the third year in a row, Healy Elementary 8th grade teachers partnered with Adventure Stage Chicago to provide 90 students with the chance to have hands-on experience in creative writing, storytelling and theater. This year the residency focused on how choices shape a character's identity in theater and literature. Mrs. Bergqust and Ms. Wong's 8th grade classes attended ASC's production of The Blue House, by Jose Cruz Gonzalez and read Ray Bradbury's novel Something Wicked This Way Comes to further explore themes of magical realism and the supernatural. After seeing the play, the students in each class began preparing scenes they had adapted from works they read and discussed throughout the residency. One group presented an adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's short story, Harrison Bergeron with props and costumes designed by the students. The second class created a movement and tableax presentation summarizing Elie Wiesel's Holocaust Biography, Night. The third class created their own adaptation of the folktale How Six Made Their Way in the World, by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm in which several different students played each character and each character was represented by a distinctive costume piece.

"Positive Impressions"

“The performance certianly left a positive impression on the students about attending and appreciating live performances! They are also more likely to pursue the reading of plays and novels upon which plays are based. The entire experience was extremely worthwhile, leaving a lasting, motivating impact.”

- Mary Vujic / James Ward Elementary 6th, 7th, 8th Grades