"Company" in the classroom- Page 2
"Company" in the classroom
#25re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 3/4/08 at 8:58pmWell, we finished the show today. Overall, my students really enjoyed it. We will be discussing it further in class tomorrow.
#27re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 3/4/08 at 10:50pmI wish you taught at my high school!
You look absolutely terrific, honestly.
zooxanthellae
Broadway Star Joined: 6/2/07
#29re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 3/4/08 at 11:05pmwow an English teacher that actually embraces musical theatre as a a legit form of literary study, and is knowledgeable about it! Bravo for exposing your students to something they most likely would not have discovered on their own! I wish there were English teachers like you in all high schools!
SueleenGay
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
#30re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 3/4/08 at 11:21pm
How refreshing to hear a good end to this story, that the parents and administration didn't try to get you fired for showing something that, particularly in a Catholic school in a rural area, might have ruffled some feathers.
I have to ask, did anyone ask about "my service will explain" or the busy signals in the score? 
As I watched that I felt so old, thinking that today's kids might not know what either of those things are. (Okay, we still have busy signals, I suppose, but mostly everything just goes directly to voice mail.)
PEACE.
LePetiteFromage
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
#32re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 3/5/08 at 9:39pm
Had my students do a written reflection today where I asked them to offer their thoughts on the music, staging, and acting. We will be discussing the show in class tomorrow.
Sueleen--I have presented potentially controversial material in both my English and Theatre classes. I'm very fortunate to teach in a school where parents expect their students to be challenged. Parents want to think that their students are studying texts that may be studied in college.
Updated On: 3/5/08 at 09:39 PM
#33re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 3/5/08 at 10:17pm
Good for you!!!
Do INTO THE WOODS, too whilre your at it
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#35re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 5/16/08 at 11:12am
That is so awesome! I'm happy for you!!
Out of curiosity, did any of them express opinions on the actors playing musical instruements? (just wondering I suppose)
"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." great... now that's stuck in my head... thanks!
but yeah, major kudos, can't wait for the next update.
<-- Gwen Stewart, SOLoist at the last show of RENT
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
#36re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 5/16/08 at 12:32pm
The students did comment on the instruments in the beginning, but seemed to adjust to the concept very quickly.
We actually finished up the year with the Burton/Depp version of Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd." The students really loved it. In fact, I got requests to show the film again. They voted "Pirelli's Miracle Elixir" as the can't-get-it-out-of-your-head-song.
Though we saw the national tour of "The Wedding Singer" and the film version of "Hairspray" this school year, my students unanimously preferred Sondheim. I think that is interesting, since most of these students had very little experience with theatre or musical theatre prior to taking the class.
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#37re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 5/16/08 at 12:35pmWow! As many have said before, you sound like an awesome teacher.
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
misschung
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/18/07
#38re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 5/16/08 at 12:48pm
"They voted "Pirelli's Miracle Elixir" as the can't-get-it-out-of-your-head-song. "
I agree. After I listened to the revival recording, a span of ten minutes without my singing "ladies and gentleman, may I have your attention pleaaaaaaaase...." was a treat!
Keep up the good work, and keep everyone posted!
The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?
#39re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 5/16/08 at 12:58pm
If only my theatre arts teacher was as awesome as you are!!! We haven't seen any shows yet and she refused to take us to see Sweeney Todd or even watch the movie in class! Then people started requesting Avenue Q and once they told her what it was she said "No way in hell would I see that!" I can undrstand Avenue Q but Sweeney Todd isn't too bad. But great job!!!
I started appreciating broadway at the age of 5. So It's been a huge part of my life!
He's a faker, and you've been taken in by his con. And in doing so, you are enabling him. He is doing more damage to aspergers than papa's words ever could. -Chane/Liverpool on me having asperger syndrome.
etoile
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/2/03
#40re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 5/16/08 at 3:21pmJust wondering if permission was granted to show the DVDs in a classroom. Wouldn't public display in a classroom be a copyright violation?
Rest in peace, Iflitifloat.
#41re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 5/16/08 at 3:26pm
You're lucky to be in a place that allows you such liberty in your teaching. Nobody at my high school ever would have gotten away with that, let alone taking field trips to things like musicals. And, ironically, it was a public school.
I think technically, it could be considered a public display, but teachers show movies in class all the time... and really, how many of them probably actually get permission to screen the videos they show when they don't feel like teaching, or to occupy their class for a sub?
#42re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 5/16/08 at 3:43pm
As for copyright issues, non-profit, educational establishments fall under what I believe is called "fair use." Usually a public display is defined as a viewing that is either advertised and/or where admisssion is charged. Neither applies in this instance. Also, the film was used for educational purposes in a classroom setting, which also falls under "fair use."
http://copyright.iupui.edu/section110.htm
I'm very lucky to have an administrator who supports my theatre curriculum. Even though all of my students were at least 17 years of age, they had to have a permission slip signed by a parent to view "Sweeney Todd."
Locally, Broadway Across America marketed "The Wedding Singer" in their student ticket subsidy program. Along with the students, I took several of my colleagues, most of whom are in their fifties and sixties, and they loved it as much as my students did!
Our last trip this year was to see "Doubt" at Actors Theatre of Louisville. ATL's education director informed me that we were the only Catholic school in the area that brought a group to see the show.
Updated On: 5/16/08 at 03:43 PM
#43re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 5/16/08 at 4:55pmHe's right. My drama teacher showed us the recordings for Into The Woods and Sunday In The Park With George last year. If it's in a classroom, then it's all right.
#44re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 5/16/08 at 6:59pmYou are sooooooo cool. I want to be a college professor. I love flops and obscure musicals, and so I want to be able to show my students that sometimes the ones that last the longest aren't always the best. For instance "Cats" vs. "A Little Night Music".
"There are only two worthwhile things to leave behind when we depart this world of ours: children and art."
-Sunday In The Park With George
#45re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 5/16/08 at 7:26pm
Thanks myshikobit!
It is my goal to give my students a well-rounded theatre education. I have nothing against mainstream favorites like "Wicked" (I've seen it seven times), but I also want them to be exposed to the genius of Sondheim. As for teaching, it's the best job in the world and I can't imagine doing anything else.
jacco
Stand-by Joined: 7/29/05
#46re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 5/16/08 at 7:37pmGreat to hear your story! I'm an English teacher in the Netherlands and we studied "Into the Woods" and "The History Boys" this year.Last week I took my students to a 6 hour performance of Angels in America. It's amazing what theatre can do to kids (I teach 15-18 year-olds)!
#47re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 5/16/08 at 8:21pm
I love "Wicked" too. I was really into "Carrie", and now I'm starting into "Rex", "Late Nite Comic", "Dear World", "Prettybelle" and "The Baker's Wife", while also listening to tons of Sondheim, Hair, Rent, Funny Girl and Wicked.
"There are only two worthwhile things to leave behind when we depart this world of ours: children and art."
-Sunday In The Park With George
Updated On: 5/16/08 at 08:21 PM
thatgirl712
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/29/08
#48re: 'Company' in the classroom
Posted: 5/17/08 at 12:28amI wish I had a teacher like you!
If I heard the bells and the banjos ring
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