The Take a Bow Theater group for teens have just finished their second month of drama and theater sessions in Barriere, and by all appearances the program is a success.
“We have done a great segment on mime, where this group used facial expressions and made use of their whole bodies to do the ‘talking’,” says program instructor Therese McKirdy, “We are now just ending Improvisational Theater (also known as improv or impro) which entails learning how to make and create skits in the moment. The skits that are made up on the spot are very entertaining, and really showcases the budding talent.”
McKirdy says she is amazed at the amount of interest from the youth, there are 27 signed up at this time.
She notes the Group will now be progressing into puppetry, which they will be bringing to the public and elementary schools in the form of short skits. They will also be learning voices through monologues, music, dance and movement.
The Group is also preparing to perform a one act play, “The Audition” by Don Zolidis. The play is a hilarious and heartbreaking look at the madness of auditioning and the actors that brave the process for that perfect part. The play will be performed at the end of May, date to be announced very soon.
“We have a very dynamic group of 25 young people, from grade 5 to grade 9 with many incredible individual talents,” says McKirdy, “It is so wonderful to see the progression in their performances as they become more confident in themselves. This program is just for the young people; and the skits, monologues and plays are geared to their age group, and the issues that surround the teens of today. Theater is a terrific medium for increased comfort with public speaking, greater self-confidence, trust in group process, and a positive outlet that helps everyone to ‘think out of the box’.”
The Take a Bow Theater Group meets once a week at the Barriere Elementary School, thanks to the generosity of principal Phil Janicki, and the Group’s teacher sponsor Kevin Kitamura.
The current Theater Group session runs until the end of May, but will resume again in September and continue until Dec. 1.