It’s been two weeks now since I picked up my second class in my internship. This class is Drama 10/20/30 and is compiled of 17 energetic and surprisingly close students. I assume that they are all fairly close as they have the whole dramatic passion thing in common, but I’m sure there are probably other reasons for it being so. Moving forward, these kids are great. I’d complain about their chattiness but I’d prefer they’d be chatty than mutes. So overall, they’re fantastic to be working with on a daily basis. Some of the kids in this class are also a part of the drama production so I spend a fair amount of my day with a select number of these kids. Which makes what we’re working on all the more fascinating, hilarious, and awe inspiring: STAGE COMBAT!
Today I had so many lines crossed in my class I wondered if I needed to intervene. But given the fact that we’re in a theatre class, I do have the sense to know that the kids are just going for shock value. It worked. No one was offended in the end so I guess we’re safe… for now.
Usually the lessons work by students being taught (by me) a number of similar techniques to attempt and practice in slow motion. As they practice these techniques, we have other members of the class and myself provide feedback for what looks good, and what could use more focus or attention. Although the students find this mildly boring at times, it’s understandable because the other half of the lesson, they’re coming up with ways to figuratively beat the **** out of each other in the most absurd yet compelling ways.
It’s extremely riveting to watch not only because of the well-being and safety of these kids, and not only because of the fact that it’s downright uproarious at points, but mainly because what the students come up with is leaps and bounds beyond the simple techniques that I’ve given them to use. In other words, the sum is greater than the whole of its parts, and it’s so refreshing to see that kind of creativity at work. The students appreciate this part of the lesson most because they are able to experience something for themselves, and bring to life a world that can only exist in their imaginations for the vast majority of the time. Granted that world in this case is immersed in (staged) violence, there is something else at work here. It’s not just choke holds and eye gouges, upper cuts and groin kicks, it’s the ability to turn these things into a product that develops interpersonal skills in the process. A product that builds on confidence and the ability to devise something from nothing. A product that teaches others to build on their own progress and consider alternatives for themselves. A product that shares personal growth in a supportive foundation. A product that warms the heart and incites sincere laughter from individuals who can relate.
Why isn’t every part of education like this?
