Over the past few days students in Acting II have been experimenting with the ideas of commedia dell’arte and the connection it has to comedy produced today. For their current project students are being asked to create and perform a short sketch utilizing at least three elements of  commedia. So far they have come up with some pretty intriguing ideas- corruption in sports, infantile behavior among politicians, the universal fear of flying, and the facade of family loyalty.  In true commedia fashion they are creating outlines for their scenarios and will soon embark on the task of using improvisation to bring the pieces to their feet.

Leadership is something educators hold dear. We are constantly thinking about how to encourage it in our classes. In seventh grade theatre, leadership happens  many different times throughout any given class period. In fact, we start each class with a warm-up led by a student. Their charge is simple, yet deceptively complex: lead a five minute exercise that engages the whole class  and utilizes four main theatre words: focus, imagination, physicality, and voice. Sometimes students choose games that I know, other times I am learning them for the first time along with our students. Regardless, it is not difficult to turn the classroom over to my students. They are eager to take the reigns and do so with gusto.

Last Tuesday a student taught “The Martha Game” to her peers. She started by explaining how the game works. Students begin the game in a line facing the playing space. One player at a time steps into the playing space and strikes a pose. He or she announces who they are and what they are doing. The next player must follow suit, adding to the picture already established.  This continues until all players have added to the picture. The pace is fast and lends itself to spontaneity- not to mention that it hits all the elements of the theatre needed in a strong warm up. Our leader decided to add an additional collaborative component to the game for our second round- the person who follows you now announces who you are and what you are doing. This addition utilized one of my favorite elements of the theatre- Follow the Follower. This might sound like an oxymoron, but it’s a key element in theatre-making. There is no singular leader. We each follow each other, building on what has come before, similar to the improv. mantra “Yes, and…” In making this adjustment to the game, our teacher for the morning encouraged us to learn from each other and see the importance in the exchange of ideas. It was a perfect way to start the day.

You might wonder why nearly 20 students are sporting evening wear on a cold, rainy Thursday in October. If you look across campus you might spot someone in a suit (equipped with a bow tie) or a fancy black dress. Why? The answer: opening night of All My Sons. In keeping with theatre tradition, cast and crew dress up on this important day.

At last count we have 10 seats left for tonight’s performance. We will host the 11th grade who are studying the play in their English classes. They’ve been using a study guide created by the dramturge for All My Sons, Nick Dalzell ’15.  We’re curious and excited to see what they think of the show.

Are you coming to opening night? What are your thoughts on the show? Let us know in the comments below!

Director’s note: The cast and crew started tech week today and we began the morning with a hair tutorial. Resident costume designer Ilene Goldstein explained not only how to do the hair but also the cultural importance of each curl, part, and pin.

The Williston Theatre presents “All My Sons” from October 23-October 25, 2014. Read more and reserve your tickets online.