My students need to make scenery for their upcoming production of Annie Jr. They will use foam boards as the base and the drop cloths will cover those boards.
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
When 3 classes are working so hard, all year long, on a major project, they want it to be amazing! In order for a play to be amazing, you must have scenery! I have 3 full classes of fourth and fifth graders all working to make their production of Annie Jr. the best thing PS 310 has ever seen!
For over 35 years it has been my joy to teach dance and theater at PS 310.
I love the energy and enthusiasm my students bring to the classroom. It is a high poverty school, with many students coming from immigrant families trying hard to make a better life for their children. The kids are eager to learn, but most have not had access to experiences other than those found right in the neighborhood. None has been to see live theater, even though they live in NYC, only a few miles from Broadway. I believe every child dreams of being a star. I believe that every child has talent and the urge to show off. Although some might be shy, and others outgoing, everyone wants to shine. All love to be up on the stage, frightened and exhilarated and the center of everyone's attention (especially their own family). I try to nurture this urge. In September each year I make a pledge to have every child in the school perform in front of an audience.
My Project
In the past, PS 310 has had wonderful Art teachers. Each has done his or her best to make beautiful scenery for the musicals that the PS 310 students have done. The last Art teacher ordered the same items that I am now ordering. Unfortunately, she left PS 310 about 9 years ago. We have been using and reusing her materials for all these years. After all this time, the boards have totally warped and the canvas has been painted over many, many times. It is so stiff it can almost stand alone. I am hoping with your help, we can replace these items that have held us so well and so long. I plan on having the students on the stage crew (one third of the group) design, organize and be responsible for their own scenery pieces. We need walls for the orphanage and for Mr Warbuck's mansion. We need pieces that will recall NYC in the 1930's, and we need a radio studio. I am hoping my students, no, I know my students will rise to the challenge and design beautiful, creative scenery.
Over the years, I have found that being involved with the show has helped motivate students in a multitude of ways, from improving self-esteem to improving attendance.
Just seeing the joy on their faces at the end and the pride they get from their accomplishments is worth all the effort. Even our non-performing stage crew will have a much bigger creative input this year. Therefore, any help that you could give my students would be very gratefully appreciated. Thank you for your consideration.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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