My Writing Reflections post is going to come up on Saturday, since I’m just returning to Oddball today after a hectic week of ‘other’ work.
This other work included two great experiences: I spoke to the Drama in Education students at Brock University, and then I gave a professional development workshop on teaching playwriting to students to Drama teachers in Barrie.
While my Brock talk did not go exactly as planned because of a day of heavy snow, what was so amazing was the teachers-to-be I met, who had performed my plays in high school. One girl (who I actually interviewed last year for a newsletter) co-student directed The Bright Blue Mailbox Suicide Note. Another had performed in The Four Hags of the Apocalypse and wanted to use my plays when she became a teacher. Another played the lead in Stroke Static and because of his performance received an acting scholarship. Being in the play helped him go to university. Wow.
They were so young and so bright and so enthusiastic. It was a pleasure to talk to them face to face. To hear their stories and share my own. I’ll be going back to give my full talk when there’s less snow on the ground and I can’t wait.
In Barrie I was able to speak face to face with a number of teachers who are currently directing, or overseeing student directed productions of my work. Two productions of Tick Talk, Circus Olympus, Floating on a Don’t Care Cloud. Teachers wanted to share their visions, share their own thoughts and ask questions. It thrills me to hear the process of my plays in schools. How the students are reacting. I love hearing how directors interpret a play. I love hearing about someone’s vision. Some teachers are so sure I’m going to disapprove! Vision is part of the picture. And as long as someone’s not changing my words to fit their vision, I’m all for it.
Most of these productions are going up the first week in March for the regional Sears Drama Festival. I’m hoping to put together a road trip so I can see them.
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