"Shuddersome: Tales of Poe" and "The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon!"

Bravo to the cast and crew of the Middle School’s two one-act productions “Shuddersome: Tales of Poe” and “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon!” Lotspeich fourth and fifth grade students previewed the incredible performances on Nov. 17 and filled The Schiff Center auditorium with gasps and laughter. “Shuddersome” covers three of Poe’s famous works, “The Raven,” “The Telltale Heart,” and “The Red Death.” Performers did a wonderful job capturing the heart of Poe’s words with their acting. In “Spectaculathon,” four narrators shared how intertwined the Grimm fairytales were, for example, Rapunzel’s grandmother was Gretel from Hansel and Gretel! Parents and friends watched the wonderful productions last weekend in The Schiff Center. Special thanks to Middle School drama director Jacob Hauser, Middle School teacher Kathryn Rosenburg, and Middle and Upper School technical theater director Trey Tatum for their guidance and direction.

5, 6, 7, 8…Fight!

In mid-November, Upper School theatre classes completed Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) – certified stage combat masterclasses with certified fight choreographers and instructors Jonn Baca and Joshua Pikar. 

“I have worked John and Josh for about 20 years,” Upper School theater teacher Marc Raia said. “Aside from teaching masterclasses, they also work with our students any time we produce a play that features staged violence. They’re both excellent at what they do, work well together as a team, and are great with the kids.” 

The SAFD cover multiple kinds of stage fighting with their masterclasses, including single swords, broadswords, quarterstaffs, and unarmed fighting. 

Setting the stage with Kindergarten

Kindergartners practiced their public speaking and learned how to use their diaphragm in preparation for their spring performance in Lower School drama teacher Natalie Bird’s class. Students took to the stage and one by one recited “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” for their classmates. The little performers expressed their surprise with how loudly they had to talk in order for their audience to hear them. Additionally, students stepped into the director role and gave acting directions to follow, such as “be a lion” or “act like water.”

It’s in the Details!

First graders learned how to draw detailed turkeys with Lotspeich art teacher Jody Knoop on Nov. 21. Knoop guided students every step of their artistic journey, coaching students on how to draw careful, deliberate lines, and how to embrace mistakes by incorporating them into their designs. Knoop also encouraged students to replicate the skills they learned during class outside of the classroom.