Meeting this Thursday!
Please join me, and your fellow SDUSD Theatre Teachers, for one of the few meetings we will have this year. The music and art folks have monthly meetings. We will shoot for getting together quarterly this year.
When: Thursday, Oct. 1st, 4 – 6 pm
Where: VAPA Office, 825 Santa Barbara Place, 92109 (In Mission Beach)
Why: To get details about this year’s events and share ideas.
Special Guests: Angie from National Comedy Theatre and Chris from ETC
If you have not yet sent an RSVP, please do so. I’ll buy snacks!
A Weekend of Conferences
Thanks to those of you who made it to the annual SDETA Conference at the Old Globe and TechFest at Grossmont College. They were both well run events and I was glad to be a part of them.
I would love to hear your feedback on each event, so that I can share it with the SDETA Board for future planning.
Stronger Together
Thank you, those of you who have started posting replies to this blog. We really want to strengthen our community and this blog is one way we have to keep in touch on a regular basis. This year we have around 40 theatre teachers in the San Diego Unified School District. Together, we have a big impact!
Please let me know what issues are important to you and what services you need. I will do my best to find answers and resources!
Two issues that came up at the SDETA Conference that I am looking into are extended day pay and ROP Technical Theatre. I’ll let you know what I find out.
Keeping it short this week...
See you Thursday!
Marjorie
23.9.09
Let's Get Together...
Greetings Friends!
Hope this update finds you getting into the theatre groove at your site. I look forward to hearing about what you have planned for this year and seeing many of you at the SDETA Conference on Friday and/or the TechFest on Saturday.
THEATRE TEACHERS UNITE!
October 1st – 4:00 – 6:00pm – VAPA Office
Please be here for our first meeting of the year. I will share information form the EDTA conference. We will discuss what resources we have share and what you would like me to work on for professional development topics this year. Also, Angie Englebert, from National Comedy Theatre (NCT) will stop by to talk about the high school improv program.
I’ll buy some snacks too!
DESPERATELY SEEKING $$$
There are several grants out there that your theatre program may qualify for. There is even a person at the district office that can help you apply for them.
This year I received a San Diego Foundation Teacher’s Grant for building supplies for the Honor Theatre Project.
Here are some grants you may be interested in:
McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation
Target Stores Field Trip Grants
Edutopia Grants
ARTS ARE THE ANSWER
Theatre is the intervention.
There is mounting evidence that that arts instruction improves student learning and test scores. Theatre is a slam-dunk for increasing literacy and comprehension. Those of you at “low-performing schools” can continue to advocate for the students while advocating for your theatre program. Click here for a great article from Edutopia about the arts and multiple intelligences.
THEATRE TEACHER SEEKS…
Interested in chatting with theatre teachers across the country? Have a great lesson plan to share? Looking for the best solution for a technical problem? Check out the CETA Theatre Educators Forum.
ETC LIGHTING EVENT AND OKTOBERFEST
Chris Rynne, lighting designer extraordinaire and ETC rep, is putting together an event for you to come down and check out the new control panels and lighting instruments. It’s meant to be educational and fun! It’s open house style, so come when you can and invite your administrator to check out
When: Friday, October 16th, 12:30 – 6:00pm
Where: Groovy Like a Movie, 5205 Kearny Villa Way, Ste. 200, 92123
RSVP: rsvp@oconnorsales.com by October 7th
???: Call Chris at 858-505-1813
He promises brats, beer, music and souvenirs too!
SUMMER SCHOOL PERFORMANCES
Congratulations to Chris Carr and her students at Patrick Henry High for already having opened and closed the first show of the year! Chris started a Musical Theatre Workshop this summer, which culminated in a production of “Grease” the second week of school! I look forward to hearing how she pulled it off!
Stacey Allen was also busy this summer creating a new program, Theatre Alive, at Clairemont High School. This program was open to students from across the district. They wrote essays about issues facing teenagers in San Diego and then developed a play based on those topics. The performances played to full houses and the ROP office even had students create a documentary of the process.
COMING TO A STAGE NEAR YOU
The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie – La Jolla High School
November 18, 3:00pm
November 19 – 21, 7:00pm
Contact Ann Lyon-Boutelle at alyon-boutelle@sandi.net
DISCOUNT TIX TO SAN DIEGO PLAYS
Discount “4 pack” tickets for Lion King. Use code “ZAZU”
Godspell at the Horton Grand.
Sideman at Diversionary.
Man from Nebraska at Cygnet.
Neil Berg’s 102 Years of Broadway at the CA Center for the Arts.
FREE TICKETS TO THE BALBOA PARK THEATRE
This Sunday, September 27, at 2 p.m., the Wonder Morton Organ program will feature music from Grieg to Gershwin, from jazz to show tunes, as well as a Laurel & Hardy silent film. Tickets are free for students and $10 for drivers. Contact Sue Raffee Barrett for more information at (619) 222-7729 or sueraffee@onebox.com.
NYC TRIP
Daniel Kriley at Mira Mesa High School is considering taking his students to New York this year. He would really appreciate any input from those of you who have done this in the past. I know a couple of you are contemplating this trip so maybe it makes sense to get you all together?
Please contact Daniel at dkriley@sandi.net
That's all I've got this week. Please feel free to comment - and don't forget to send me your info.
See you Oct. 1st!
Marjorie
Hope this update finds you getting into the theatre groove at your site. I look forward to hearing about what you have planned for this year and seeing many of you at the SDETA Conference on Friday and/or the TechFest on Saturday.
THEATRE TEACHERS UNITE!
October 1st – 4:00 – 6:00pm – VAPA Office
Please be here for our first meeting of the year. I will share information form the EDTA conference. We will discuss what resources we have share and what you would like me to work on for professional development topics this year. Also, Angie Englebert, from National Comedy Theatre (NCT) will stop by to talk about the high school improv program.
I’ll buy some snacks too!
DESPERATELY SEEKING $$$
There are several grants out there that your theatre program may qualify for. There is even a person at the district office that can help you apply for them.
This year I received a San Diego Foundation Teacher’s Grant for building supplies for the Honor Theatre Project.
Here are some grants you may be interested in:
McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation
Target Stores Field Trip Grants
Edutopia Grants
ARTS ARE THE ANSWER
Theatre is the intervention.
There is mounting evidence that that arts instruction improves student learning and test scores. Theatre is a slam-dunk for increasing literacy and comprehension. Those of you at “low-performing schools” can continue to advocate for the students while advocating for your theatre program. Click here for a great article from Edutopia about the arts and multiple intelligences.
THEATRE TEACHER SEEKS…
Interested in chatting with theatre teachers across the country? Have a great lesson plan to share? Looking for the best solution for a technical problem? Check out the CETA Theatre Educators Forum.
ETC LIGHTING EVENT AND OKTOBERFEST
Chris Rynne, lighting designer extraordinaire and ETC rep, is putting together an event for you to come down and check out the new control panels and lighting instruments. It’s meant to be educational and fun! It’s open house style, so come when you can and invite your administrator to check out
When: Friday, October 16th, 12:30 – 6:00pm
Where: Groovy Like a Movie, 5205 Kearny Villa Way, Ste. 200, 92123
RSVP: rsvp@oconnorsales.com by October 7th
???: Call Chris at 858-505-1813
He promises brats, beer, music and souvenirs too!
SUMMER SCHOOL PERFORMANCES
Congratulations to Chris Carr and her students at Patrick Henry High for already having opened and closed the first show of the year! Chris started a Musical Theatre Workshop this summer, which culminated in a production of “Grease” the second week of school! I look forward to hearing how she pulled it off!
Stacey Allen was also busy this summer creating a new program, Theatre Alive, at Clairemont High School. This program was open to students from across the district. They wrote essays about issues facing teenagers in San Diego and then developed a play based on those topics. The performances played to full houses and the ROP office even had students create a documentary of the process.
COMING TO A STAGE NEAR YOU
The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie – La Jolla High School
November 18, 3:00pm
November 19 – 21, 7:00pm
Contact Ann Lyon-Boutelle at alyon-boutelle@sandi.net
DISCOUNT TIX TO SAN DIEGO PLAYS
Discount “4 pack” tickets for Lion King. Use code “ZAZU”
Godspell at the Horton Grand.
Sideman at Diversionary.
Man from Nebraska at Cygnet.
Neil Berg’s 102 Years of Broadway at the CA Center for the Arts.
FREE TICKETS TO THE BALBOA PARK THEATRE
This Sunday, September 27, at 2 p.m., the Wonder Morton Organ program will feature music from Grieg to Gershwin, from jazz to show tunes, as well as a Laurel & Hardy silent film. Tickets are free for students and $10 for drivers. Contact Sue Raffee Barrett for more information at (619) 222-7729 or sueraffee@onebox.com.
NYC TRIP
Daniel Kriley at Mira Mesa High School is considering taking his students to New York this year. He would really appreciate any input from those of you who have done this in the past. I know a couple of you are contemplating this trip so maybe it makes sense to get you all together?
Please contact Daniel at dkriley@sandi.net
That's all I've got this week. Please feel free to comment - and don't forget to send me your info.
See you Oct. 1st!
Marjorie
14.9.09
Back to School!
Howdy Folks!
Welcome to the 09-10 school year! Here’s to hoping it is full of exciting and meaningful theatrical experiences.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
I had the opportunity to attend the EdTA/CETA conference this past week (on my own dime of course!) It was a great time to connect with theatre teachers across the state and the nation. Some of the workshops were great. I know that Terry Miller, theatre teacher at Pershing, was also there and will have some terrific information to share.
For those of you unfamiliar with these organizations, EdTA is the Educational Theatre Association, a national organization for theatre teachers. CETA is the California Educational Theatre Association, a statewide organization for theatre teachers. Two additional groups you may be interested in are DTASC, the Drama Teachers Association of Southern California and CST, the California State Thespian organization. Click on the links for more info. I encourage you to get involved with one or more of these organizations and take your students to events off-site. If you have questions, please contact me!
UPCOMING EVENTS
September 25th SDETA Conference at the Old Globe, All Day Event
This is your BEST professional development opportunity ALL year.
Please make every effort to attend, even if it means taking a personal day.
September 26th TechFest at Grossmont College, All Day Event
Get your $ in if you want to guarantee your spot.
This was a very successful event last year that trains your kids in all areas.
It will pay dividends in your program all year.
One of the requirements for becoming a “Bravissimo” school.
October 1st Theatre Teacher Meeting 4 – 6pm, VAPA office
We will meet to share ideas and calendars.
I will report back on the EdTA conference.
I will provide snacks ;0)
SAFETY WORKSHOP
A BIG thank you to Ruth Howell, at Serra High School, for organizing a theatre safety workshop at her site. Hopefully, she will give us a report at the Oct. 1st meeting.
THE NEW LARRY
Larry Smith, who has been our technical theatre guru in the district for years, retired last year. As some of you may know, he trained his replacement, Charles Stinson. If you need assistance with any of your lighting or sound issues at your site, I recommend you contact him. cstinson@sandi.net - 619-438-1296.
HIGH SCHOOL HONOR THEATRE UPDATE
Yes, we will be having the High School Honor Theatre Project again this year!
When – The week of February 16th.
Where - La Jolla High School
Who- Hosted by Ann Lyon-Boutelle, Directed by Paul Stetler
What – “Stefanie Hero” by Mark Medoff
Mark your calendars and start to spread the word. Auditions will be the second week of December. Rehearsals will start in January. Look for a packet of info in school mail. I’ll be making the rounds to your schools to pitch the project. Let me know when you would like me to be at your site.
About the director, Paul Stetler is a professional actor and director based in Seattle, WA. He was the key instructor for the high school conservatory program at La Jolla Playhouse this summer, to rave reviews. He has is own theatre company in Seattle, New Century Theatre Company. His wife is in her third year of the MFA playwriting program at UCSD. I’m very excited to have him aboard.
About the play, “Stefanie Hero” is a great piece that I read this weekend. It provides a lot of terrific opportunities for our theatre students both from an acting and technical standpoint. Google it and have a look. At first glance, it’s a fairy tale piece. But it is so much more. It’s fun, smart and resonates on a lot of different levels.
LOOKING AHEAD
Please mark your calendars with the following dates:
December 3rd Middle School Professional Development 4 – 6pm
February 17 – 20 Honor Theatre Performances
March 24th High School Professional Development 4 – 6pm
April 17th ImprovFEST, Clairemont HS 8am – 3pm
June 17th End of Year Happy Hour at El Torito 4 – 6pm
THANK YOU
For all you do! You give so much of yourselves for your students all year long. Please know that you are appreciated. Remember that you are not alone! There is a network of theatre teachers, not just in SDUSD but across the county, state and nation, that understand your sacrifice and brilliance. Please keep me posted on your shows and goings ons. AND let me know if I can help you out in any way.
All my best-
Marjorie
Welcome to the 09-10 school year! Here’s to hoping it is full of exciting and meaningful theatrical experiences.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
I had the opportunity to attend the EdTA/CETA conference this past week (on my own dime of course!) It was a great time to connect with theatre teachers across the state and the nation. Some of the workshops were great. I know that Terry Miller, theatre teacher at Pershing, was also there and will have some terrific information to share.
For those of you unfamiliar with these organizations, EdTA is the Educational Theatre Association, a national organization for theatre teachers. CETA is the California Educational Theatre Association, a statewide organization for theatre teachers. Two additional groups you may be interested in are DTASC, the Drama Teachers Association of Southern California and CST, the California State Thespian organization. Click on the links for more info. I encourage you to get involved with one or more of these organizations and take your students to events off-site. If you have questions, please contact me!
UPCOMING EVENTS
September 25th SDETA Conference at the Old Globe, All Day Event
This is your BEST professional development opportunity ALL year.
Please make every effort to attend, even if it means taking a personal day.
September 26th TechFest at Grossmont College, All Day Event
Get your $ in if you want to guarantee your spot.
This was a very successful event last year that trains your kids in all areas.
It will pay dividends in your program all year.
One of the requirements for becoming a “Bravissimo” school.
October 1st Theatre Teacher Meeting 4 – 6pm, VAPA office
We will meet to share ideas and calendars.
I will report back on the EdTA conference.
I will provide snacks ;0)
SAFETY WORKSHOP
A BIG thank you to Ruth Howell, at Serra High School, for organizing a theatre safety workshop at her site. Hopefully, she will give us a report at the Oct. 1st meeting.
THE NEW LARRY
Larry Smith, who has been our technical theatre guru in the district for years, retired last year. As some of you may know, he trained his replacement, Charles Stinson. If you need assistance with any of your lighting or sound issues at your site, I recommend you contact him. cstinson@sandi.net - 619-438-1296.
HIGH SCHOOL HONOR THEATRE UPDATE
Yes, we will be having the High School Honor Theatre Project again this year!
When – The week of February 16th.
Where - La Jolla High School
Who- Hosted by Ann Lyon-Boutelle, Directed by Paul Stetler
What – “Stefanie Hero” by Mark Medoff
Mark your calendars and start to spread the word. Auditions will be the second week of December. Rehearsals will start in January. Look for a packet of info in school mail. I’ll be making the rounds to your schools to pitch the project. Let me know when you would like me to be at your site.
About the director, Paul Stetler is a professional actor and director based in Seattle, WA. He was the key instructor for the high school conservatory program at La Jolla Playhouse this summer, to rave reviews. He has is own theatre company in Seattle, New Century Theatre Company. His wife is in her third year of the MFA playwriting program at UCSD. I’m very excited to have him aboard.
About the play, “Stefanie Hero” is a great piece that I read this weekend. It provides a lot of terrific opportunities for our theatre students both from an acting and technical standpoint. Google it and have a look. At first glance, it’s a fairy tale piece. But it is so much more. It’s fun, smart and resonates on a lot of different levels.
LOOKING AHEAD
Please mark your calendars with the following dates:
December 3rd Middle School Professional Development 4 – 6pm
February 17 – 20 Honor Theatre Performances
March 24th High School Professional Development 4 – 6pm
April 17th ImprovFEST, Clairemont HS 8am – 3pm
June 17th End of Year Happy Hour at El Torito 4 – 6pm
THANK YOU
For all you do! You give so much of yourselves for your students all year long. Please know that you are appreciated. Remember that you are not alone! There is a network of theatre teachers, not just in SDUSD but across the county, state and nation, that understand your sacrifice and brilliance. Please keep me posted on your shows and goings ons. AND let me know if I can help you out in any way.
All my best-
Marjorie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)