"Company" in the classroom

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 7:47pm

I took the plunge and decided to show my theatre arts students the "Company" revival. I teach at a small Catholic school in a rural community and most of these students are taking the course because they need an elective and they like me as a teacher. Though they are by no means "thespians," I have been amazed at their response to the production. They truly are engaged and seem to be enjoying it. So far, their favorite scenes have been the pot smoking scene with David, Jenny, and Bobby (no surprise there) and "Getting Married Today" with Amy. They also enjoyed the character of Marta.

I've really tried to challenge these students this year. We've been to see productions of "The Underpants," "The Wedding Singer," and "for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuff." In May, we will be seeing a production of "Doubt." For our script analysis project, students read such diverse scripts as "Wonder of the World," "Kimberly Akimbo," "Spinning Into Butter," "The Laramie Project," and "Dog Sees God." "Dog" was by far the most popular script of the bunch, as several students read it in addition to the other play they had selected. One of the student who read it said he didn't know a play "could be like that." The whole point of what must seem like a self-congratulatory thread is that we often underestimate what the youth of today will enjoy and appreciate.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 7:54pm

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 07:54 PM

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 8:12pm

Thanks LePetiteFromage! I feel blessed to get to do what I do each day. Looks like I'll be teaching AP Literature and Composition next year and I plan to include Lapine's libretto for "Sunday in the Park With George" on our reading list. Of course I will show the students the DVD of the original production.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 9:25pm

Great choice. I would've loved to be in your class back when I was in high school.

[MrSweetNAwful]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 9:26pm

Good work on making a difference and opening up all those young minds to the theatre

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 9:57pm

Thanks for your positive comments. "Opening young minds to theatre" is my mission.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 10:00pm

I wish you were my teacher at St. Joseph Parochial School instead of those nasty old nuns with a ruler to slap our hands, if we misbehave!

Great choice and Kudos to you! We need more teachers like you to inspire your youth... I love teachers!

J*






Updated On: 2/29/08 at 10:00 PM

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 10:06pm

Thanks Jay!

[EmieMarie]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 10:30pm

I wish my old high school drama teacher was like you! Would have actually learned about theater...
Lucky kids.....

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 11:37pm

God, I wish my school had a drama teacher who didn't think the two greatest and most respected musicals in history are Cats and Phantom.

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 11:41pm

You have to stop....if you continue to flatter me like this I'll get a "big head."

[EmieMarie]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 12:37am

cant help it, so jealous of your students!

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 12:41am

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 12:41 AM

[John Murdock]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 12:57am

as a theatre professional that is a huge proponent of theatre education i applaud your efforts... where is your school located?

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 12:49pm

You remind me of an acting/theatre teacher I had in high school; she pushed her students past their expectations and helped them realize their potential as smart, talented young actors. Even the students who weren't actors and took the classes because - like in your case - they just needed an elective and enjoyed her as a teacher. She was a marvellous edition to the faculty. So, when reading how you introduced and are continuing to introduce these students to all sorts of wonderful theatrical outlets... it puts the biggest smile on my face. Cheers to you! :)

[keen on kean]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 9:08pm

Do you encourage them to try writing, too? No better way to appreciate good dialogue than to write it and see what works. You might be developing the next Stoppard!

And I add my gratitude that you are contributing to an arts-educated next generation.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 9:29pm

Good for you sidney! That's wonderful!

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 9:38pm

John M--I teach in Bardstown, KY, famous for bourbon and Stephen Foster. We are located about 45 miles south of Louisville, KY.

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 6:14pm

Just thought I'd post an update. We moved into Act II today. My students really enjoyed the scene that preceeds "Barcelona." One of the guys in my class enjoyed Bobby's story about the girl waiting for him in the hotel room. He decided that this is Bobby's "pick-up line" story, which I thought was pretty insightful The guys seem to like Bobby because, at this point, they think he's a "playa." One of my girls said "These are Bobby's friends, right?" which I also thought was pretty insightful. On a very funny sidenote, most of the students claim that they can't get the "Bobby Baby, Bobby Bubi" musical motif from the title song out of their head. I just thought it was funny that these high school kids are walking the halls with Sondheim music running around in their heads. Tomorrow we'll begin with "The Ladies Who Lunch" and should finish the show. I'll be sure to post a final report.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 6:23pm

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 06:23 PM

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 7:21pm

LePetiteFromage--To my students, the revival seems very contemporary. In fact, I had to tell them the show was originally done in 1970. I think this speaks volumes to what Sondheim and Furth accomplished with this piece.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 8:12pm

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 08:12 PM

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 8:30pm

Thanks for the clarification and I agree.

[BkCollector]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 8:31pm

That's excellent. I saw them filming Spinning Into Butter on my campus last year. I don't think its going to be released though, which is sad because it looks great.

[violet72]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 10:34am

Wow so cool, I help direct the spring musical at the high school in my district(I teach elementary esl)...unfortunately in my district we do not have any theater courses(we are a low income district), so while I assistant direct I try to do the same things for these kids. We just did Bye Bye Birdie, which was their choice to do, but I try to get them to listen to other cast recordings or read other shows that aren't "mainstream" so I have started a little club, after they graduate(due to laws) I have them research shows that aren't commercial and we go see them in the summer(again it's their choice). Last year was 110 in the shade and this year's choice is Sunday in the Park with George. I use TDF or broadway box discounts to get the tickets. Also during our "double seesions" of practice for the show I bring in all of my dvds, vhs, and cast recordings and let them vote on what we listen to or see during our breaks....and then we discuss it

Also on the elementary level we take them into Philly to see shows(children shows but it is still theater) and 2 years ago we took the whole elementary school(K5 to 3rd grade) to see the Lion King...I think I had more fun watching my students watch the show...many had never experienced broadway theater before and it was incredible to see their little faces taking in everything.

So Sidney I wish that I was as lucky as you to have a class to teach theater. I think it is important for all students to appreciate and experience theater. Keep up the good work