Producing a School Show in English: A Guide to Improve Vocabulary and Have Fun

1. P RODUCING A SCHOOL SHOW IN E NGLISH By Bonnie Weinberg bonnieaweinberg@gmail.com

2. T HE P URPOSE to improve vocabulary to have a fun English experience to have meaningful conversation

3. I MPLEMENTATION approach the principal build a work schedule and evaluate costs read up on drama

4. A DVANCE P REPARATION ( SUMMER TIME ?) Access (or write) a script Edit the text to fit your needs Download songs Think about props and scenery Build an image in your mind

5. T IME SCHEDULE Choose date for final production and work backwards how much practice do you need and when to hold auditions. (for example we had 10 weeks of rehearsals once a week after school for 2 hours per week.) Book a location to hold the production in advance

6. A UDITIONS Send a letter to parents in advance announcing the intention to hold a school show Prepare a portion of the text for kids to read aloud in pairs Look for fluency in reading as well as good body language

7. C HOOSING CAST Dont choose too many for the cast hard to handle (25 children max.) Consult with teachers Seek ability to read a lot of text Choose committed students Send a letter to parents for permission to participate (to stay after school)

8. T URNING THE CAST INTO A TEAM Begin first rehearsals with drama exercises Get to know and work with one another Focus on teamwork to make the cast feel responsible for the whole group

9. C HOOSING R OLES First read through the entire script and understand the plot Distribute questionnaire which role does the cast member prefer and which job behind the scenes (first, second, third choices) Important! The teacher has the final word no changes!

10. B EGINNING P RACTICES Read play through with scripts in hand Use assistant director to save time (divide and conquer)

11. CHALLENGES Memorization of lines Paying attention: knowing when to say the line Pronunciation of the text clearly, correctly and loudly Remembering to always face the audience What to do if someone forgets his lines

12. D ISCIPLINE Quiet during rehearsals Attendance Coming on time for rehearsals

13. S TAGING , PROPS AND COSTUMES Consult with the cast members for prop and costume ideas Establish strict order for going on/off stage Set rules for touching props Find ways to borrow costumes

14. A SKING FOR HELP Art teacher: scenery, props, costumes Music/computer teacher: disk of songs Gym teacher: dances English teachers: new vocabulary Administration: sound system/microphones

15. B EFORE THE FINAL P RODUCTION Hang posters Send invitations Do playbill Relax the cast

16. T HE S HOW ! Looks professional when all put together including costumes, scenery, make-up, and music Keep in mind: no one notices mistakes Parents are happy and appreciative Distribute small prizes for the cast members afterwards Remember: Its the process thats important, not the final production. The cast already gained a lot. So relax and have fun on stage.

17. W HAT THE CAST GAINED Confidence speaking in front of an audience Improved vocabulary in English Feeling part of a team Fun experience speaking in a foreign language Bonus: Other students are motivated to try out for next years production!

18. A FTER THE SHOW Hold a post cast party watch the movie of the show Send pictures Produce a disk of the show Write an article about the show for the school/neighborhood newspaper Enjoy the good feeling of a job well done! Remember! If you dont advertise what you do its like you didnt do it!

19. Q UESTIONS ??? Bonnie Weinberg bonnieaweinberg@gmail.com