As
Growing Theater Mentors, Carnegie Mellon students earn university credit by
sharing their theater skills with at-risk elementary school children from
Propel Charter Schools by guiding the children through the development of the
production of a play. The Growing Theater program is part of the elementary
schooler's language arts and arts curricula.
During weekly meetings, with the guidance of the CMU Mentors, the Propel students write their own short plays based on aspects of their lives. Elements of good storytelling, including structure and character development take center stage in this portion of the program. The young students also learn about performance, creation of theatrical environments and effective communication to an audience. The seven month process culminates with dress rehearsals and performances in CMU's Helen Wayne Rauh Studio Theatre for the children's parents, teachers and members of the Carnegie Mellon Community. A yearly alumni sponsored award is given to a CMU student to honor an extraordinary contribution to the program sponsored by program alumni and Carnegie Mellon’s Gelfand Center for University Outreach.
Please consider this course as you register for fall
classes. Students from all options and majors are welcome. Course number
62-483
For more information: www.growingtheater.org
7 comments:
When I was looking at colleges, this class was one of many things that drew me to Carnegie Mellon. This program is something so different than anything any other school does, and I think it's brilliant. As students are CMU, we are so lucky and privileged to get the experience of a Carnegie Mellon SOD eduction. It is so important to give back to others who are less fortunate around us, and to learn through teaching. I was also unaware of how this class actually ran, so I'm happy this was posted. This class combines so many different aspects of theatre, and I love how it does not just focus on what discipline within the theatre world. Writing a new play every week seems to be an adventure all on its own! I will definitely be looking into taking this class in the future.
This sounds like something that would a truly amazing experience. I would love to take part in this even if it did not give us credit. I think that inspiring children in need to express themselves through the theatre is a beautiful thing and it would be a huge help to many of them. My only question is if this counts as one of our electives? Either way, I would like to do it. Just wondering! I'm really happy CMU gets involved this way! I had no clue that this was a class option, but it makes me really excited for next year!
i was so suprise the first few weeks i came to the States. i talked with my classmates and other friends from sod, only to find out that in the States, many people who end up an actor or a theater person, because they start their career really early. in China, i cannot even imagine a high school that teach specificly theater stuff or makes theater a main course, no to mention a junior high school or even earlier. i guess this is the reason why Chinese theater didn't develop as fast as the US did -- it is a culture here, but it is still a risk in China. So i think for the development of theater, it is ness. to teach our kids and show them what exactly theater is as early as possible.
For those of you not already in this class, I would highly reccomend it. I am currently enrolled in this class and plan on continuing it until a graduate. I know that it takes place at 8 AM, meaning I have to leave my house by 7:30. I admitt some days I have a hard time getting up for it, but the second I arrive to work with the kids, my attitude changes completely. I have always had a love for theater, but until I have had the opportunity to share it with younger kids, I never realized how much. In this class, we work all year to help the kids put on a play here at CMU. It is really exciting to see the kids really bonding with us over something that we have a passion for. I have two "mentees" that when I see them every week they both get really excited. (Once when I missed a week, they were twice as excited the following week.) This class is no work at all. I do it for the fun of it. And I would reccomend that you do it to.
I participated in a similar arts outreach program all through high school, where every Saturday morning kids would come to my high school and participate in a variety of arts programs. Knowing that the School of Drama has an opportunity like this makes me quite excited. Being as privileged as we are to attend the School of Drama, it is the least we can do to spread the art of theater to those who otherwise may not be exposed to it.
Growing theatre is honestly the best part of my week. Its made me realize that this is the kind of thing I want to do with my career. It is the most rewarding experience and i strongly suggest people take it. The kids make it so worth while.
During the performance the backstage kids were on headset and after the show they complimented David Beller on a well called show. It was the cutest thing in the world. They were like mini stage mangers.
This is something I've wanted to do for a long time but haven't had the chance to. I did something similar in high school, where we would go to Boys and Girls Clubs after school and lead theatre workshops in conflict/resolution theatre, and get the kids involved in theatre games and exercises. It was an incredible experience and opened my eyes to what theatre can accomplish. Theatre is a tool that we don't really use to its full potential yet. Hopefully, before my four years are over, I'll be able to take Growing Theatre.
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