Our school break workshop, "Unicorn Power Saves the Day!" was such a cool experience.  In our workshops, we do a very short play, developed by the kids in the class.  We start with a storyline and then create the rest on the spot!  The kids choose their own characters, and in this case their unicorn super powers.  I incorporate all of their character ideas into the plot. They also help come up with the dialogue. I stage it, and we have a little play!  The parents come back to watch it and the kids are so proud of themselves, as they should be! It is impressive that they are able to absorb and remember a lot of info in a short period of time.  I am always delighted with their creativity and enthusiasm. 

We did our third grown-up improv night last weekend, and it was hilarious.  We all laughed our heads off!  The group had various levels of improv experience, so I chose games that would be fun regardless of experience. I actually got to participate this time as well!  Usually I am just teaching, so it was refreshing to be a part of it.  Like in my kids classes, I want people to feel free to be a little silly and share their ideas, so I do my best to create a positive, non-judgmental environment.  It's such a fun thing to do, a real change of pace from the day-to-day grind.  I think everyone needs a little improv in their life:)

Yesterday in my musical theatre class, I asked the kids to break into groups and create a scene, with the very general theme of "spring."  One of my students, an 8 year old girl who has always been creative but a little reserved, came up with a full-fledged story with a moral. It was about two girls who  didn't like each other but were in the same class, lived in the same neighborhood and kept running into each other, like it or not.  At the end they became friends.  It was well-planned, had a solid storyline and a definite flow.  I was truly pleased  to see that she had such a wonderful facility for storytelling.  Perhaps she will grow up to be a writer!