Producing a school show in English

1. Producing a school show in English By Bonnie Weinberg bonnieaweinberg@gmail.com

2. The Purpose • to improve vocabulary • to have a fun English experience • to have meaningful conversation

3. Implementation • approach the principal • build a work schedule and evaluate costs • read up on drama

4. Advance Preparation (summer time?) • Access (or write) a script • Edit the text to fit your needs • Download songs • Think about props and scenery • Build an image in your mind

5. Time schedule • Choose date for final production and work backwards – how much practice do you need and when to hold auditions. (for example we had 10 weeks of rehearsals – once a week after school for 2 hours per week.) • Book a location to hold the production in advance

6. Auditions • Send a letter to parents in advance announcing the intention to hold a school show • Prepare a portion of the text for kids to read aloud in pairs • Look for fluency in reading as well as good body language

7. Choosing cast • Don’t choose too many for the cast – hard to handle (25 children max.) • Consult with teachers • Seek ability to read a lot of text • Choose committed students • Send a letter to parents for permission to participate (to stay after school)

8. Turning the cast into a team • Begin first rehearsals with drama exercises • Get to know and work with one another • Focus on teamwork to make the cast feel responsible for the whole group

9. Choosing Roles • First read through the entire script and understand the plot • Distribute questionnaire – which role does the cast member prefer and which job behind the scenes (first, second, third choices) Important! The teacher has the final word – no changes!

10. Beginning Practices • Read play through with scripts in hand • Use assistant director to save time (divide and conquer)

11. challenges • Memorization of lines • Paying attention: knowing when to say the line • Pronunciation of the text clearly, correctly and loudly • Remembering to always face the audience • What to do if someone forgets his lines

12. Discipline • Quiet during rehearsals • Attendance • Coming on time for rehearsals

13. Staging, props and costumes • Consult with the cast members for prop and costume ideas • Establish strict order for going on/off stage • Set rules for touching props • Find ways to borrow costumes

14. Asking for help • Art teacher: scenery, props, costumes • Music/computer teacher: disk of songs • Gym teacher: dances • English teachers: new vocabulary • Administration: sound system/microphones

15. Before the final Production • Hang posters • Send invitations • Do playbill • Relax the cast

16. The Show! • Looks professional when all put together including costumes, scenery, make-up, and music • Keep in mind: no one notices mistakes • Parents are happy and appreciative • Distribute small prizes for the cast members afterwards Remember: It’s the process that’s important, not the final production. The cast already gained a lot. So relax and have fun on stage.

17. What the cast gained • Confidence speaking in front of an audience • Improved vocabulary in English • Feeling part of a team • Fun experience speaking in a foreign language Bonus: Other students are motivated to try out for next year’s production!

18. After the show • Hold a post cast party – watch the movie of the show • Send pictures • Produce a disk of the show • Write an article about the show for the school/neighborhood newspaper • Enjoy the good feeling of a job well done! Remember! If you don’t advertise what you do – it’s like you didn’t do it!

19. Questions??? Bonnie Weinberg bonnieaweinberg@gmail.com