Miramonte Drama Department is taking its studies to a new level this semester, thanks to support from the Educational Foundation of Orinda (EFO) and the creative talents of Drama Teacher, Heather Cousins.
The multi-faceted program includes all three levels of the Drama program, making it a totally integrated course of study. In February, Drama students attended a new play at Berkeley Rep called Ghost Light, written by Jonothon Moscone about his struggle with the loss of his father, Mayor George Moscone.
From this, they gained inspiration for a writing exercise based on their course level. Drama 1 students wrote monologues, Drama 2 wrote two-person scenes, and Advanced Drama students wrote short plays, involving a full playwriting process, auditions and casting calls, technical rehearsals, and finally, production.
The month of February was an exciting time as the students participated in a month-long festival of interpretation of their original works. It culminated on February 24, with an evening of dramatic production of a sampling of over a dozen works in progress from all three classes. Students involved in the program showed inspiration, passion and ownership for their final results.
EFO provided funding for this program by sponsoring the field trip to see the play at Berkeley Rep, as well as a three-day workshop with Berkeley Rep artist-in-residence.
photo credit: Heather Cousins
