knowledge

 

The book focuses on six aspects of devising/ playwriting. The first section discusses devising through collaborative decision making. Ever yone of the creative team must agree with the items that are included in a work. The essays also explore the impact of theatre for social justice and how the impact can be measured. Major themes of the book are community and coalition building and creating a safe space in the devising process. Some of the essays are easier to read and more relevant to teaching artists than teachers in public schools but teachiers are sure to find interesting ideas about collaborative work. I especially like the Appendix which provides an outline of their methods and materials such as the Pyramid of Hate.

Youth Speaks has been around for years. The book covers how to organize a group and gives examples of writing from t heir participants but what I like best is each chapter has examples of poetry writing exercises and activities to promote performance skills that are scaffolded and fun. I like that it teache s how to guide the s tudents through creating the rhythm of the poetry as well as navigating the politics of slam performances. It has a great chapter on how to get solid revisions of the writing and better performances.

Know Who You Are

By Richard Arnold, Jr.

ITA College/University Theatre Representative

 

Currently our design studio is completely covered with stacks of photographs. Some are color, but most are black and white. This project came about because we were forced to move our archives from its storage space under the stairs.
The Fire Marshall frowned upon potentially flammable items beneath the stairs to the second and third floors of the building.

Most everything in

	Elmhurst College - Theatre at the Mill

the archives was already in some semblance of order, with the exception of the photographs. Now was the time to tackle the project. With help of Tracy, one of our students, we have sorted them by show, based on costumes, scenery or actors. The next step is to identify the productions. This will take a while. Plays have been presented at Elmhurst College since the mid 1920's. It is interesting to see how the theatre program has changed over the years.  In fact, we are about to change once again. EC has decided to separate Communications and Theatre. Beginning this fall, we will be the Department of Theatre and Dance.  

 

This is an exciting prospect for those of us in the program, and a little scary too. How will the administration see us?  Do expectations change? Will this effect recruitment?  Who are we?

From The Tempest

Being a part of a multi-headed department (we used to be be communications, speech pathology and theatre) it is easy to get caught up in the function of the whole. We had our own focus and goals, but they were tempered by the needs of the larger department. Now, we are on our own with every opportunity to be exactly what we want to be. We have the opportunity to create our own identity based on the interests of our faculty and the needs of our students.  

 

I find myself in an interesting place. I am looking at photos of what Elmhurst College Theatre Program has done for the last 90 years, and looking forward to the prospect of what Elmhurst College Department of Theatre and Dance could become. We all need to put ourselves out there. What is our mission? How are we different than others? What are our strengths? Ultimately these are the things that create identity and provide the vision to be the best we can be. This is what will get people excited about what you are doing.  This is what will attract prospective students. This is what will create support from administration. The possibilities keep it fresh and rewarding.  ake some time this summer to look at your program's past and present, and use them to get excited about your future.  

 

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