Using the Muppets “Jabberwocky” as inspiration, my Drama students created and recorded their own version of Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky”. Working in groups of five, each group of students were given a stanza of the poem to develop by adding vocal effects and movement. After each group presented their stanza to the class, we collaborated as a class to create vocal effects for the first and final stanza, which the entire class recited together.

Here is what we created (please excuse the quality of the file as I was unable to get a proper microphone to record with):

 

This Celebrity Monologue project was the last project I did with my Drama Nine students at Riverside Secondary. For this project, students were asked to choose a celebrity (historical figure, politician, musician, athlete, or actor) whom they admire, identify a peak emotional moment in this person’s life, and write a monologue showing an un-publicized moment in this person’s life. The students were given time to write their monologues, have them checked by myself or my SA, and practice getting into character. These are the first monologues they have ever written and I was so proud of the truthful perspectives they portrayed, both on paper and in performance.

Evanna Lynch writing to J.K. Rowling. Rowling told Lynch that if she could overcome her anorexia, she would be offered an audition to play the role of Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter film series:

” Dear J.K. Rowling,” No, no. “To the amazing…” Let’s just go with dear. “My name is Evanna Lynch and I am an avid reader of your work. I have been battling anorexia for a while now. I weigh 80 lbs and my organs are failing.” Yes doctor, I took my pills already. No, I don’t want anything, thank you. (mumbling to self) I need something to live for. “I was curious about the character Luna though. I was wondering if she had any mental health issues.” Well, of course not! She’s perfect! “I’m only 11 and I’m so badly beaten up already, so I was thinking I could relate to Luna the most.” She’s never going to read this I should just give up… No, I have to try! “The way I see it is if Harry can overcome every obstacle thrown at him, maybe I have a shot at beating my anorexia.” (looks over paper) “Your biggest fan, Evanna.”

Jeanne d’Arc in an English prison: 

Oh. I thought the kept the prisoners separated (sits down). Well, nothing to do in here but talk, I guess. Hello. My name is Jeanne, but they’ve been calling me Jeanne d’Arc for a while now. I’ve been trying to help France break free of the oppression we’ve been facing. I’ve been fighting England. I guess that’s why I’m England’s most wanted criminal. They’re going to kill me. They haven’t said it yet, but I know they will. I’ve been fighting this whole time to try and prevent the deaths of me fellow French and now I won’t be able to help anyone. I feel like I’ve failed my people. I know my country will be disappointed. Listen. If you ever get out of here, I need you to tell my people something. Tell them that I tried. Tell them to keep fighting and never give up. Them them I’m sorry.

Leonardo daVinci talking to his assistant about a beautiful woman he saw and will soon paint: 

Helda, I dreamed of someone last night – a beautiful young woman. I’m sure that I saw her at the market this morning, but what to do? Even to simply greet her, meet her, would leave me content for the rest of my life. But would I find her? Did I really see her this morning? Did you see her Helda? Perhaps, perhaps I will leave this to fate – if we meet, we shall meet. Otherwise, I will try to find something to rival her beauty, but what? What could challenge the beauty and delicacy  of her graceful face and pure eyes? Her voice so soft and her hair so fine? No, Helda, I don’t think there is anything like her – so simple and so pure. Instead, I will try – oh I will try – to capture her in a work of art so that others might come to appreciate this beauty. Even if it is late now, I must, I must start now. Helda, bring me my paints.