Drama Tackles Online Theater
Advanced drama has prepared a virtual tribute show based on "Little Shop of Horrors" for the end of the semester
By Isabella Wight
Advanced drama has prepared a virtual tribute show based on "Little Shop of Horrors" for the end of the semester
By Isabella Wight
This online semester has proven to be challenging for many classes, especially those that rely on being in person to function. One of these classes, advanced drama, has been working on the “Little Shop Of Horrors” Virtual Tribute Show, called “Mean, Green, & In Quarantine.”
Advanced drama was never able to perform their tribute show last year since the semester was cut short due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Santa Clara County, so English and drama teacher Ashley Coleman decided to have her class continue working on it during the first semester of the school year. One of her students, Kolby Bauman, 10, has been learning the choreography over Webex.
“The choreography is very new to me since I wasn’t in the advanced drama class last year. Learning over Webex can be difficult because of poor connection, working in small spaces, etc.,” said Bauman. “Overall, it’s not too bad. But now that it’s getting towards the end of the year, it’s finally coming all together.”
Not only learning through Webex is hard, but so is teaching with it. Coleman has been directing and putting together the show all online.
“It's a great exercise of improvisation,” said Coleman.
Being online is different for students and can feel isolating. Thomas Jordan, 10, was in beginning drama last year and feels like this year is disappointing in comparison.
“It’s a big bummer because that class was almost always the highlight of my day, but now it’s not that great because I don’t get to see my friends in person, so it’s mostly disappointing,” said Jordan.
It could also be hard to engage when learning online as students are unable to interact with each other.
“I think last year, being in person was more fun. There was more to do, and as a student I could engage more in class. Unlike online school, I don’t get to participate in the same way I usually would. However, Mrs. Coleman is doing a phenomenal job of making online as fun as she can,” said Bauman.
Advanced drama has finished preparing the show and it will be available at the end of the semester. They are now planning for their performance of “The Little Mermaid” scheduled for next semester.
In the meantime, Natalie Burrill, 9, is excited to perform the virtual tribute show in a way that’s never been done before at Pioneer.
“I feel sad that we can’t have class like normal, but I’m excited because now we have the chance to perform a show in a unique way,” said Burrill. “This year will be an experience to remember.”
Advanced drama was never able to perform their tribute show last year since the semester was cut short due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Santa Clara County, so English and drama teacher Ashley Coleman decided to have her class continue working on it during the first semester of the school year. One of her students, Kolby Bauman, 10, has been learning the choreography over Webex.
“The choreography is very new to me since I wasn’t in the advanced drama class last year. Learning over Webex can be difficult because of poor connection, working in small spaces, etc.,” said Bauman. “Overall, it’s not too bad. But now that it’s getting towards the end of the year, it’s finally coming all together.”
Not only learning through Webex is hard, but so is teaching with it. Coleman has been directing and putting together the show all online.
“It's a great exercise of improvisation,” said Coleman.
Being online is different for students and can feel isolating. Thomas Jordan, 10, was in beginning drama last year and feels like this year is disappointing in comparison.
“It’s a big bummer because that class was almost always the highlight of my day, but now it’s not that great because I don’t get to see my friends in person, so it’s mostly disappointing,” said Jordan.
It could also be hard to engage when learning online as students are unable to interact with each other.
“I think last year, being in person was more fun. There was more to do, and as a student I could engage more in class. Unlike online school, I don’t get to participate in the same way I usually would. However, Mrs. Coleman is doing a phenomenal job of making online as fun as she can,” said Bauman.
Advanced drama has finished preparing the show and it will be available at the end of the semester. They are now planning for their performance of “The Little Mermaid” scheduled for next semester.
In the meantime, Natalie Burrill, 9, is excited to perform the virtual tribute show in a way that’s never been done before at Pioneer.
“I feel sad that we can’t have class like normal, but I’m excited because now we have the chance to perform a show in a unique way,” said Burrill. “This year will be an experience to remember.”