Thanks for your interest the High School Self Advocacy Theater Program. Here is a more detailed description of the 21 week program.
The program is conducted in 21 weekly sessions that meet for 1 and ½ hours by a VSA arts artist/instructor. The ideal size of the group is 8-12 students with a mixed range of abilities and their support staff. While each session will have a routine of discussion, short movement exercises, games and simple homework assignment about self advocacy the 21 weeks are divided into 3 sections that address a general focus. Each program is tailored to the level of the participants in a way that allows challenge as well as assuring success.
Section #1 Self Advocacy (7 weeks)
This section will begin with a short introductory performance about the definition of Self Advocacy followed by an introduction to the program and a lively assessment of the group's previous theater assessment. During the following 6 weeks the concept of Self Advocacy will be explored by breaking it down into the following topics- Introducing yourself, Knowing what you like and don't like, Identifying problems and finding solutions, Knowing your limitations and ways to get around them, Setting goals and outlining the steps to achieve them, and Making good choices. This information will form the basis of our own performance about Self Advocacy in the form of a Cantastoria. ( A cantastoria is an old style of theater that consists of pictures and a narrative. This style of theater will be introduced on the first day of class in the introductory performance).
Section #2 Theater Skills (7 weeks)
During this section we will play a series of theater games. These games will create a basis for the students to experience using movement and voice. Students will then experience being other characters in fictional and real places. As we progress through the section the students will learn how to create a theater scene. After experiencing that process the concept of self advocacy will be introduced into the scene making. This will allow the students to experience practicing self advocacy skills in real-life and imaginary situations.
Section #3 Rehearsal and Performance (7 weeks)
During this section the students will be guided in creating and rehearsing a piece of theater which will be performed as the culmination of the program. It will consist of the Self Advocacy Cantastoria that was created in the first session and a selection of the self advocacy scenes from the previous section that best demonstrate in an entertaining and meaningful way the students understanding of self. This section will also include developing performing skills such as- Speaking loud and clear for an audience, How to set up and strike the props for a scene and Taking a bow. The issue of "stage fright" will also be addressed if necessary.
Ideal Situation:
We've taught this program in a variety of educational settings. What we have found works best is:
The program can be conducted in a room in which it is the sole activity taking place.
The support staff participates as full participants of the program.
The students and support staff participants can commit to attending all of the sessions (within reason).
A plan gets established for supporting the students (and staff) in completing their homework assignments.
The final production is in a large room or on a stage for an audience of friends, other classes, family members and school administrators.
For information about participating in this program call Emily Anderson at (802) 655-4606 or email her at vsaartsvermont@hotmail.com
