Artist

Theresa Columbus

Program Type

Residency

In Creating Collaborative Theater, students work together to write and perform an original script. The teaching artist “visits” the class periodically as the character of Foot Ear, a wacky artist who is intent on convincing everyone she meets that she is the most amazing performer of all time, and then proceeds to deliver humorous underwhelming ditties.

The residency includes daily warm-ups and exercises to embody characters and theatrical movement. The group dives into discussing what interests them in storytelling and then chooses characters, a setting, and a plot for their story. Everyone contributes lines to the play, sparking ideas for each other as the details unfold. Mixing spontaneous inspiration with the goal of concluding the story in the time allotted, the students create a script. On the final day of the residency, the students do a staged reading, or depending on their age/ability, a call-and-response performance of the play. Donning colorful scarves as versatile costume pieces, students take turns performing and being an audience for what they just created, and spend time reflecting on the experience.

Typically, residencies range from $2,500 and up, but we can use your available budget and ‘work backwards’ to create a cost-effective residency for your school. We may be able to assist you in securing grant and funding opportunities.

Residencies are tailored to your needs but usually include:

• A kick-off assembly (performing arts only)
• A required orientation meeting and planning session
• A set of workshops for classes of up to 25 students each
• A student culminating or sharing event
• An evaluation meeting