Prodigal Production of “Puss in Boots”
Sophomore project inspires a new program at Hacienda Elementary School
By Sara Stamos
Sophomore project inspires a new program at Hacienda Elementary School
By Sara Stamos
Inspired by her own love for drama, Anna Rhyasen, 10, has recently started a new program with the goal of introducing elementary kids to musical theater.
She started the musical at Hacienda Elementary, where she helped 20 fourth and fifth graders to put on “Puss and Boots.”
Although motivated by her sophomore project’s focus on the lack of arts education, Rhyasen said that it’s always something she’s wanted to do. She’s grateful for the push the project gave her to give this opportunity to the kids and form great relationships with them.
“I just like going there. Every time I go, they just act like I’m their best friend,” Rhyasen said.“It just makes this community where everyone is comfortable with each other, and to me, that’s the whole appeal about drama.”
When starting the program, Rhyasen was pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm it garnered from Hacienda’s principal, Todd Weber.
“I thought that it would be harder than it actually was, but all I had to do was to tell him what I was thinking of starting and he automatically thought it was an amazing idea,” said Rhyasen.
For the first few weeks, she started out by having the kids practice skits and play acting games, which gave the kids the opportunity to work together. This gave her an understanding for how comfortable the kids were with acting, and helped her make the casting decisions.
Rhyasen said she helped the kids learn important skills such as listening and cooperation.
“They had to practice listening to me and we put them in partners where they worked together with different people so that they were comfortable with everybody,” she said.
Rhyasen was able to put on the production with the help of her music teacher Monica Ulrich, her friend and classmate Jacqueline Castillo, 10, and her mother Kerry Rhyasen.
Kerry Rhyasen helped keep the kids focused while Anna Rhyasen taught, she had a great experience that she thinks truly benefited the kids.
“They were so happy and excited to be there every week. I know they looked forward to the practices. This was an activity they chose to participate in, no one forced them to be in it, which made it something they enjoyed even more,” Kerry Rhyasen said.
Castillo was looking forward to helping with the kids and, although it could be challenging, loved the opportunity that the show gave them to pursue their passion.
“Sometimes the kids would get disruptive, but then they got right back on track,” said Castillo.
She goes on to share her favorite memory from the show when all the girls dance together in one number and sing “I Need A Hero.”
“This one girl Sadie, she’s dancing, and she looks so happy doing it, it’s just a fun number to watch,” said Castillo. “Their faces light up.”
Although it’s only her first year, Anna Rhyasen hopes to continue the program.
She started the musical at Hacienda Elementary, where she helped 20 fourth and fifth graders to put on “Puss and Boots.”
Although motivated by her sophomore project’s focus on the lack of arts education, Rhyasen said that it’s always something she’s wanted to do. She’s grateful for the push the project gave her to give this opportunity to the kids and form great relationships with them.
“I just like going there. Every time I go, they just act like I’m their best friend,” Rhyasen said.“It just makes this community where everyone is comfortable with each other, and to me, that’s the whole appeal about drama.”
When starting the program, Rhyasen was pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm it garnered from Hacienda’s principal, Todd Weber.
“I thought that it would be harder than it actually was, but all I had to do was to tell him what I was thinking of starting and he automatically thought it was an amazing idea,” said Rhyasen.
For the first few weeks, she started out by having the kids practice skits and play acting games, which gave the kids the opportunity to work together. This gave her an understanding for how comfortable the kids were with acting, and helped her make the casting decisions.
Rhyasen said she helped the kids learn important skills such as listening and cooperation.
“They had to practice listening to me and we put them in partners where they worked together with different people so that they were comfortable with everybody,” she said.
Rhyasen was able to put on the production with the help of her music teacher Monica Ulrich, her friend and classmate Jacqueline Castillo, 10, and her mother Kerry Rhyasen.
Kerry Rhyasen helped keep the kids focused while Anna Rhyasen taught, she had a great experience that she thinks truly benefited the kids.
“They were so happy and excited to be there every week. I know they looked forward to the practices. This was an activity they chose to participate in, no one forced them to be in it, which made it something they enjoyed even more,” Kerry Rhyasen said.
Castillo was looking forward to helping with the kids and, although it could be challenging, loved the opportunity that the show gave them to pursue their passion.
“Sometimes the kids would get disruptive, but then they got right back on track,” said Castillo.
She goes on to share her favorite memory from the show when all the girls dance together in one number and sing “I Need A Hero.”
“This one girl Sadie, she’s dancing, and she looks so happy doing it, it’s just a fun number to watch,” said Castillo. “Their faces light up.”
Although it’s only her first year, Anna Rhyasen hopes to continue the program.