Plans for the Week of December 9, 2013

This week we begin production of our class Winter Show. The production of our class show is a massive effort that requires great teamwork, focus, hard work, creativity, and commitment, with the highlight being two evening performances for families on Thursday, December 19. The focus for the show will be the Age of Exploration and Christopher Columbus. How we turn that concept into a class play? It's up to the students! 

Here is the general outline of the production that will span the remaining school days.

PHASE 1:

• Research Christopher Columbus and the early part of the Age of Exploration
• Propose ideas for a play involving Christopher Columbus that both teaches and entertains the audience
• Design artistic backdrops that support the story using scale drawings
• Propose ideas for multimedia elements such as PowerPoint slides, music, and sound effects
• Plan a 3-D set that highlights the elements of the story
• Measure classroom wall spaces accurately, prepare paper backdrops, and transfer scale designs in pencil
• List characters in the story, their roles, and  their traits

PHASE 2:

• Break down classroom as a team, moving desks, positioning rugs, cleaning up and packing up.
• Paint set backdrops
• Construct 3-D set using a variety of materials
• Compose music on Garageband and instruments for transitions and important scenes
• Choose parts
• Develop and integrate character roles
• Create a detailed story outline and scene order
• Visualize the backdrops of each scene and assemble vivid images that support the story into PowerPoint
• Construct props
• Begin rehearsing

PHASE 3:

• Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse!
• Set up lights
• Put finishing touches of set backdrops and 3-D set
• Put finishing touches on music
• Order and integrate PowerPoint slides
• Integrate music and sound effects
• Get room "show-ready"
• Write summary and program notes
• Design and produce program

PHASE 4:

• Perform silent run-through of entire show
• Analyze story cohesion and performance hiccups
• Make improvements as needed

And then it's show time!!

When: Thursday, December 19
Times: 6:00pm and 7:30pm.
Where: Ms. Moll's classroom

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