Magical Moonshine Theatre

ISS
Inspiring Student Stories

Program Description:

In the descriptions below of the program, “meeting” refers to Michael and Valerie’s in-class contact time with students, and “classroom work” refers to activities done with teacher and students but not Valerie and Michael. Text in blue applies to schools that have selected the optional second meeting with Valerie and Michael.

Meeting 1: What makes a good story?
Michael and Valerie meet with students and teacher(s) in the classroom. The script writing project is introduced through a description of the program and a short puppet performance used to inspire and excite students about the project. The attributes of good story are introduced. Four short stories are presented (three orally, one as a puppet presentation). Some of the stories will be missing either beginning, middle or end. Each story is followed by a discussion of whether the tale, as presented, was satisfying, and if not, why not. Time permitting, action storyboards are introduced as a way to think about a story that might be produced as a play.

Classroom work: Students, under the guidance of teachers, write stories. The stories (or copies of the stories) are sent to Michael and Valerie. For schools electing to have meeting 2 the following will take place: From each school approximately 6 stories are selected (these are not necessarily the stories that will ultimately be produced as the final play.) Stories from one school will be taken (without revealing authors) to another school to be used in the classroom in Meeting 2.

Meeting 2 (optional on a school to school basis): Rewriting and refining.
Michael and Valerie meet again with students and teachers in the classroom setting. The group reviews “What makes a good story,” then the class is divided into small groups of about 5-6 students. Each group is given a story from another author in another school and they are given approximately 20 minutes to review and analyze the story they have been given. They will be encouraged to look for beginning, middle, and end, conflict and resolution, character development and motivation, and logical progression as well as more subjective aspects of the story (like how well they liked it and why.) They may then formulate suggestions for rewriting or improving/strengthening the plot, themes, characters, etc. After group time the class will reunite to share their stories and findings, with each group having approximately 5 minutes to present what they have come up with.

Classroom work: With the new insights gained from reviewing and critiquing another students writing, students should now reevaluate their own stories, rewriting, strengthening and clarifying them. The final stories are then shared with Michael and Valerie.

Assembly performance and awards:
Michael and Valerie choose a selection of the completed stories (from all participating schools) to produce as a performance that is shared with participants at a group assembly. It is also recommended that students that might be participating in the program the following year be invited, and, space permitting, other students as decided by each school. All participants will receive recognition for their work as well as a certificate of accomplishment..