School: KC East High School
Class: Acting II and Projects in Theatre
Instructor: Scott Ferrell
Client: Mr. Tim Linsenmeyer, Restorative Justice Coordinator
Problem: How can we create age-appropriate theatrical experiences that help students identify, express, and regulate their emotions effectively?
Summary
This was a theater-based CCP; students set out to create age-appropriate theatrical experiences that help young audiences better understand, express, and regulate their emotions. After initial efforts to partner with outside organizations fell through, the project was refocused in collaboration with school staff, including the restorative justice coordinator, who identified a need for emotionally supportive educational content.
Students wrote and produced a series of original short plays (10–15 minutes each), tailored to different academic levels: one for elementary, two for middle school, and two for high school. These performances were designed to reflect common emotional challenges faced by students and to model healthy emotional regulation strategies. The work was grounded in theater standards, emphasizing the integration of cultural and personal context, the development of original ideas through critical thinking, and collaborative exploration of important social-emotional themes.
Takeaways
This was a great project! After reflection on the process and the product, there are some things I would like to change in the future, which include:
–Add facilitation guides for teachers to use with each play
–Create complementary activities to extend learning beyond performances
–Incorporate digital elements to increase accessibility and reach
Advice
Celebrate small wins. Acknowledge progress and successes throughout, not just at completion.
Prepare students for criticism. Client feedback can feel personal.
I’d tell teachers just starting RWL to just jump in and do it; it all helps students see it as part of the professional process.
Standards/Learning Targets
Create strand:
Cr1A.III.c: Integrating cultural contexts with personal experiences to create authentic characters
Cr2A.III.a: Developing original ideas utilizing critical analysis and research
Cr2A.III.b: Collaborating as a creative team to discover artistic solutions
Cr3A.III.a: Refining and transforming scripted work through the rehearsal process
Performing/Presenting/Producing strand:
Pr4A.III.b: Applying researched acting techniques for character choices
Pr6A.III.a: Presenting theater productions that employ research and analysis
Responding strand:
P8A.III.b: Using understanding of cultures to shape responses to theater work
P9A.III.c: Analyzing connection between theater work and contemporary issues
Connecting strand:
P10A.III.a: Collaborating on work examining critical issues using multiple perspectives
P11A.III.a: Developing work that questions cultural and historic belief systems