Our Studio Players productions are collaborative theatre arts projects shared with our entire community. In Studio Players, students explore and develop their skills in the wide scope of the dramatic arts. They perform original and adapted works.
The writing of an original play is an opportunity for the Middle School students to explore issues of maturing in adolescence, and their experiences in the world. From writing, acting and singing, to designing and producing, the students integrate the sophisticated ideas into a story for all ages.
Our annual Studio Players production is a highly anticipated event for our entire community. From writing and acting, to singing, designing, and producing, it is a marvel to watch how the middle school students collaborate and integrate all they have studied throughout the year to bring their original story to life.
BRAVO to our Middle School students and teachers on The Umbra, a vibrant and poignant musical about the power of children, our greatest source of light. Audience members of all ages were captivated by the students’ artistry and ingenuity, their sophisticated original story, and their commitment to fully embodying their characters on stage.
“What makes a compelling story?” was the first question our script writers, a group of nine students, ages 10-14, pondered this year. They were determined to craft a play filled with humor and suspense, centered around characters who conveyed the full range of human emotions. Working daily for many weeks with Ms. Bennett and Ms. Mabey, the students engaged in thoughtful conversations about their shared experiences of growing up as an adolescent in our current times, and the subjects and stories that had inspired them throughout their studies this year.
“I think what we want to voice in this play is that it’s time for adults to wake up and see the light. We are the future generation, and it’s us, who they are leaving the state of the world to.” —student, age 11
Inspiration struck once the children came up with the idea of using light, literally and symbolically. Over the next several weeks, they developed an intricate fictional world where the natural light was fading, creating inequity amongst the villagers living at the base of a mountain. This opened up possibilities of using darkness, shadows, and the strenuous act of climbing a mountain as metaphors to shine light on issues hidden beneath the surface of today’s world.
As they were writing, the children intentionally created a script with a variety of roles, knowing their peers and what kinds of characters would help them develop their skills as actors, and bring them together as a group.
With a fabulous script to work from, the students and their teachers split up into committees to take on different aspects of bringing the production to life. From selecting songs and writing lyrics, to designing the set, costumes, props, and lighting, the students understood how every element was essential to conveying their message.
“I hadn’t realized until being on the set design committee, how much calculating, problem-solving, and experimenting goes into actually building a stage. We started with a sketch and then worked closely with the poster and costume committees to develop a cohesive color palette. When it came time to build, it was so much fun to work with power tools and learn how to construct the trapezoid-shaped mountains.” —student, age 12
“As part of the music committee, we first came up with a long list of possible numbers, spanning time periods and genres. Then, we zoomed into the script, thinking about the purpose of each song, and whether it was to set the mood, develop a character, or move the plot along. We also thought about who the actors were in that scene, and whether they were ready for a solo, duet, or small group number. It was amazing on opening night to see all of the songs, seamlessly woven into the story. The music added a whole new dimension of emotion!” —student, age 14
As all of the students gathered together before every show, warming up their voices and adding final touches to their hair and makeup, their shared connection and camaraderie were palpable. For some students in the group, this was their fourth production, while for others, it was their first time on stage. All members created an environment that was supportive, encouraging, and where every single person's contributions were equally important.
“Putting on a Studio Players production is not only transformative to each individual middle schooler, but the group as a whole. It has been remarkable to watch how every single child has emerged from this experience with greater confidence, patience and persistence, and a new level of knowing themselves.” —Middle School teacher
“There was nothing more thrilling than being on stage with everyone, sharing our hard work with the audience. We all got so into character, I think we forgot we were acting at some points. Embodying our characters felt seamless, and every time the audience laughed or clapped, it energized us more.” —student, age 11
“I think this play showed me how much a group of kids and teachers can accomplish. No one person could make what we created. It was all of us, working together. It was pretty magical to experience.” —student, age 12
Students are introduced to the art of puppetry as a form of storytelling and learn about shadow puppets, hand puppets, rod puppets, and marionettes. They work in small groups to adapt or write a story into a script, design their backdrop and puppets, and choreograph staging to bring the tale to life.
Three puppet shows adapted from winter stories, including The Winter Picnic, a beloved picture book written by our co-founder, Robert Welber, and illustrated by Deborah Ray.
Tales of the Moon, 2017
Three puppet shows adapted from favorite children’s stories, Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, Happy Birthday, Moon by Frank Asch, and Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes
The Central Park Capers, 2014
An original story, written and inspired by the creation of paper-mache puppets made by the Eights and Nines. Friendship in Central Park emerged after completion after the puppets, and thus a play was born!
