From story to dramatic performance

"Play-In-A-Day"

Play-In-A-Day is an opportunity for students to spend a full day with professional artists creating a group performance from a story that they have listened to, and presenting it at the end of the day.

The day begins with all students, their teachers, professional artists, and parent volunteers (optional) sharing in activities that include theater games, music, and movement as a warm-up for the day. The large group then divides into smaller ones which go to work in separate classrooms or other spaces.

Each group listens to a story told by one of the visiting artists. The students then set to work creating their own dramatic interpretation of the story, incorporating everyone in the group in the production. Some students are actors, playing not only characters but also events and things in the story (i.e. storms, trees, etc). Others write and perform the musical portions of the story, including songs, instrumental background pieces and sound effects, while others choreograph movement segments. The morning is spent working on the separate functions and beginning to amalgamate them.

After lunch, each group rehearses their production. At the end of the day, two or three classes are invited to see the performances.

Play-In-A-Day is designed to build cooperation and a sense of community. All participants work as a team to make the event happen and together they feel the satisfaction of shared experience and participation in the arts.

Play-In-A-Day is a suitable medium for school interchanges, such as an Urban/Suburban project.

For fees and further information, contact the Connecticut Storytelling Center.