HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I hope you had a lovely holiday break with lots of deserved rest and good cheer!  I was in New York for the big blizzard.  It was quite and adventure! 

DramaFEST and TechFEST

These are two great events put on by the San Diego Educational Theatre Association and hosted by Grossmont College Theatre Department.

DramaFEST will be on January 29th this year.  This event focuses on actors.  They prepare and perform scenes and monologues for evaluation and feedback.  For more information on this event contact SDETA President Elect Rob Dellorfano at rdellorfano@smusd.org.

TechFEST will be on February 12th.  This event focuses on technical theatre students.  They participate in workshops and the "Tech Olympics".  For more info on this event contact SDETA Past President Kristen Giard at kgiard@guhsd.net.

These two events are part of the qualification for becoming a Bravissimo Distinguished Theatre Program.  For more info on how to apply for that honor visit the SDETA website. 

Teaching High School Theatre

Your seniors who are applying to performing arts schools are probably working hard preparing audition material.  Now is the time to go over audition etiquette, resumes and portfolios, and interview strategies.  Help them make the school to work transition and these skills will serve them well whether or not they pursue a career in theatre.

Check out these articles from Dramatics Magazine to inspire and inform your students.

Choosing the Right College
The Audition 
Questions to Ask Schools
Technical Resume and Portfolio

Teaching Middle School Theatre

If you have been following the course outline for Theatre 1-2, you will be in or approaching Unit V which is all about Short Rehearsed Performances.   Consider having your students retell/rewrite familiar stories.  Remember "Fractured Fairy Tales" from the "Rocky and Bullwinkle Show?"  Check them out on YouTube!  Or visit the written versions.  Have your students choose their own favorite fairy/folk tale and create a new, funky version.  Complete with some historical research, rehearsal, prop creation and performance and you've hit almost all of the standards!

Here are some other sites you can visit to adapt fairy tales from around the world:


Cinderella Stories from Around the World; Russian Fairy Tales;
Fairy Tales Around the World 

Teaching Elementary School Theatre

Integration is a big topic in the VAPA office on a daily basis.  We currently have two grants to write curriculum integrating the arts disciplines with both English Language Learning and with Science.  This project takes up much of my days as I try to master the science before I can even figure out how to integrate it!  :o)

One of the most effective integrations you can do at the elementary level is to use children's picture books as scene starters.  Reading the story and having students create tableaux from the illustrations strengthens understanding of the text as well as character, plot and setting.  Visit this site for specific ideas:  Drama from Picture Books.

See a Show!  Send Your Students!

Cheaper by the Dozen

San Diego High School

Directed by Joseph Magno and Ian McAvoy 
January 20th & 21st at 6:45 PM
Saturday, January 22nd at 5 PM.   
Tickets are $5 each.  
Cotact Ian McAvoy at for more information or for tickets. imcavoy@sandi.net

Theatre and Dance Showcase
CPMA
January 26 & 27
6:30 p.m.
More info?  Contact Cathy Hickman at chickman@sandi.net 

The Music Man, Jr.!
Valencia Park Elementary
Magnet for Theatre and Dance
Directed by Teri Ang, Production Design by Patrick Garcia
February 3 - 5
7:00pm
Contact Teri Ang  at 619-264-0125

Little Shop of Horrors
SDSCPA
January 27 - February 5
Box Office:  619-475-8556 

Let me know what I've missed and of what you would like more!

Best-

m.