Theater at Middle School for Arts and Philosophy

17 Feb 2011, 11:54 AM by keith, Middle School

The students in Urban Arts Partnership's after school theater program at Brooklyn's Middle School for Arts and Philosophy (MSAP) researched various professions in the community and wrote original scenes inspired by those jobs.  Students were to pick jobs they could see themselves having in the future or jobs that they wanted to learn more about.  They explored the various responsibilities of each occupation, as well as the skills necessary to be successful at each job.  The scenes depicted a day in the life of a hairstylist, a senator, a journalist, a photographer and a sheriff.  Students performed the scenes in front of their classmates to RAVE reviews!

The writers and actors of "Two Face," an action-packed scene about a sheriff.

Students performing their original scene about a photographer's high-stakes assignment to capture a photo of a rare bird.

When asked about their experiences with performing on stage students said:

Kaaliyah: "I felt a bit nervous.  Also I felt excited because I felt eager to perform."

Kadeem: "I felt confident on stage. I felt as if people loved me (which they did!)"

Chardenay: "I felt free because I love the stage."

Students celebrating after the performance with teaching artist Michelle Slonim

Master Class at MS 258 led by Life Stories Students

28 Jan 2011, 12:00 PM by keith, Middle School

Three high school students from the Life Stories program visited MS 258's after school theater program this week to lead a master class.  They performed a scene they have been working on from "Ordinary People" followed by a Q&A session about the scene and their process as actors.  The students from 258 were led through a series of theater exercises and games to help build the ensemble's skills for vocal volume, focus and responding to your fellow actors.  The students from MS 258 also staged a reading of an original play they have been working on with UAP teaching artist Brendan Boland about the events of the Salem witch trials.  It was an exciting session for everyone, and we look forward to more master classes led by Life Stories students in the near future.

Students' responses to the master class:

"I thought it was really awesome.  Today changed my mind about acting and made me want to do more.  Everything was helpful for us for play we are working on." - Anayess (MS 258)

"It was fun.  I liked the energy they brought and when we talked about character intentions." - Qsavan (MS 258)

"I really liked everything.  My favorite part was when they did their scene.  It showed how good acting can be." - Christian (MS 258)

"I thought it was really fun.  It was great to see how advanced we are as actors to be able to teach others." - Anthony (Life Stories)

"I'm thankful for the experience and I learned a lot from being able to teach kids younger than me." - Isaiah (Life Stories)