The CSDB drama program started classes getting to know Tableau, an art form where actors pose in frozen formations that tell a story. The students worked together on a picture story of riding a roller coaster. Using facial expressions and body posture, each student created a character whose perception of the ride was very different from the others.
We then moved on to a pantomime unit and we were honored to have James JJ Jones, a Deaf performing artist, join us through Zoom. Students were inspired by his life journey and career as a professional mime, and he gave them tips on miming. Afterwards, he sent each student a signed copy of his picture. Students went on to perform solo mimes of their own.
As a side project, a student represented CSDB at our Colorado Springs event “World Singing Day”, an event performed in various cities around the world. She performed popular songs in ASL while choirs and singers from all over the city gathered to celebrate the day. Her performance represented CSDB well.
Finally, students worked on a monologue project incorporating the body language and facial expressions they acquired from the Tableau and Mime units. Our drama class hopes to attend the State Drama Conference and to perform our monologues or ensemble scenes in the 2022-2023 school year.
We look forward to getting back to performing on the stage in the Spring. Until then, be on the lookout for our original murder mystery-themed film set in the 1920s!
