"Company" in the classroom
"Company" in the classroom
#1"Company" in the classroom
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
#2re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 2/29/08 at 8:12pmThanks 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.
#3re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 2/29/08 at 9:25pmGreat choice. I would've loved to be in your class back when I was in high school.
#4re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 2/29/08 at 9:26pmGood work on making a difference and opening up all those young minds to the theatre
You're reminding me of people you hear at the movies asking questions every ten seconds, "Who is that? Why is that guy walking down the street? Who's that lady coming up to him? Uh-oh, why did that car go by? Why is it so dark in this theater?" - FindingNamo on strummergirl
"If artists were machines, then I'm just a different kind of machine...I'd probably be a toaster. Actually, I'd be a toaster oven because they're more versatile. And I like making grilled cheese" -Regina Spektor
"That's, like, twelve shows! ...Or seven." -Crazy SA Fangirl
"They say that just being relaxed is the most important thing [in acting]. I take that to another level, I think kinda like yawning and...like being partially asleep onstage is also good, but whatever." - Sherie Rene Scott
"If artists were machines, then I'm just a different kind of machine...I'd probably be a toaster. Actually, I'd be a toaster oven because they're more versatile. And I like making grilled cheese" -Regina Spektor
"That's, like, twelve shows! ...Or seven." -Crazy SA Fangirl
"They say that just being relaxed is the most important thing [in acting]. I take that to another level, I think kinda like yawning and...like being partially asleep onstage is also good, but whatever." - Sherie Rene Scott
#5re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 2/29/08 at 9:57pmThanks for your positive comments. "Opening young minds to theatre" is my mission.
#6re: 'Company' in the classroom
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
#8re: 'Company' in the classroom
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.....
Fear no more the heat o' the sun,
Nor the furious winter's rages;
Thou thy worldly task hast done,
Home art gone and ta'en thy wages:
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.
~Cymbeline
#9re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 2/29/08 at 11:37pmGod, 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.
#10re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 2/29/08 at 11:41pmYou have to stop....if you continue to flatter me like this I'll get a "big head."
#11re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 3/1/08 at 12:37amcant help it, so jealous of your students!
Fear no more the heat o' the sun,
Nor the furious winter's rages;
Thou thy worldly task hast done,
Home art gone and ta'en thy wages:
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.
~Cymbeline
LePetiteFromage
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
#13re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 3/1/08 at 12:57amas a theatre professional that is a huge proponent of theatre education i applaud your efforts... where is your school located?
Upcoming Shows:
Gypsy, Dead Mans Cell Phone, Xanadu, Sunday in the Park with George
Perfectly Marvelous
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/16/06
#14re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 3/1/08 at 12:49pmYou 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! :)
"I am and always will be the optimist. The hoper of far-flung hopes and dreamer of improbable dreams." - Doctor Who
"Yes, the brutalities of progress are called revolutions. When they are over, men recognize that the human race has been harshly treated but it has moved forward." - Les Miserables
keen on kean
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/1/06
#15re: 'Company' in the classroom
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.
#16re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 3/1/08 at 9:29pmGood for you sidney! That's wonderful!
"Everytime you step on that stage it is somebody's first Broadway show and somebody's last Broadway show. Make it count."
#17re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 3/1/08 at 9:38pmJohn M--I teach in Bardstown, KY, famous for bourbon and Stephen Foster. We are located about 45 miles south of Louisville, KY.
#18re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 3/3/08 at 6:14pmJust 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
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
#20re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 3/3/08 at 7:21pmLePetiteFromage--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
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
#22re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 3/3/08 at 8:30pmThanks for the clarification and I agree.
BkCollector
Broadway Star Joined: 2/6/08
#23re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 3/3/08 at 8:31pmThat'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.
#24re: 'Company' in the classroom
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
"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life. Define yourself"
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