"Animal Logic is phenomenal! What a fabulous program. The in-classroom work with the teaching artists is incredible. The performance itself was one of the best examples of children’s theatre I’ve ever seen. Thank You!"
-Susan Smith, 3rd grade teacher, Wonderland Elementary
This program is a multi-session series for grades 3-5 that includes:
- Animal Logic, a theatrical production that serves as an aesthetic catalyst for learning
- One 2-hour teacher training utilizing the Discovery Guide and Teaching Instructions
- Three 60-minute sessions for students with a teaching artist using standards-based Theatre Arts and Language Arts exercises and activities
Performance
Animal Logic is a two-person vaudeville that explores animal emotion and cognition, compassion and what it means to “Handle with Care.” This theatrical production introduces:
- Elements of storytelling through movement and sound
- Playmaking skills
- Morals and traditions within the stories that access learning styles within the students’ own backgrounds using written exercises and discussion
Teacher Training
The teacher training provides standards-based Theatre Arts, Science and Language Arts exercises and fun activities that build instructional skills in:
- Using the Discovery Guide and Teaching Instructions to explore themes in the play
- Simulating conversation among students to develop critical thinking
- Enriching students’ appreciation of the theatrical production through creative dramatics
- Applying an assessment rubric
Student Sessions
Three 60-minute sessions for students are taught in sequence for pre- and post-show exploration and include:
- Pantomime, improvisation and visual arts prompts to unpack and respond to the sensory information
- Writing prompts that explore the main idea, Handle with Care, and the traits that animals and humans share, such as intelligence, emotions and the ability to communicate
- Connect the play with what is important to the students' own beliefs and the problems they face
Dates: Performance dates are October 22 – November 30, 2007. Pre-show and teacher sessions begin September 24, 2007.
Fees: The package is $3,000 for one in-school performance, one collaborative meeting, one teacher training, three in-class sessions (up to 4 classrooms) and a Discovery Guide for each student.
Download an application packet for more information or to enroll.
Other major support is provided by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and the Weingart Foundation.
Inset Photo Credit
Joe Fria in Animal Logic. Photo by Craig Schwartz.
Photo by Steve Cohn.
