Flights of Fantasy provides the entire school community with a comprehensive, standards-based Theatre Arts Package for students, parents and teachers. The in-class Student Workshops explore techniques that help students conceptualize ideas, comprehend information and make choices about the stories they will perform. The Parent Read-Aloud Workshop concentrates on the impact reading aloud has on academic success and the importance of parent involvement. The Professional Development Workshop focuses on utilizing dramatic strategies to enhance learning and comprehension across academic disciplines. A Planning Meeting between the teachers and instructor is encouraged to discuss the content and goals of the workshops and to review scheduling options.

Performances: Two 45 min. interactive story theatre performances, complete with set, costumes and props, are presented to the school and showcase four multi-cultural folktales and fables, including stories from language arts curriculum. All students participate in the final story, either on stage or in the audience. References to the performance are discussed during student workshops to illustrate various theatrical concepts. A Program Guide is supplied to familiarize the teachers and students with the stories being presented.

Instructional Student Workshops: Schools choose between two options of 24 in-class workshops: either 6 classes getting 4 workshops each or 8 classes getting 3 workshops each. The workshops are bulit upon each other starting with the actor’s instrument, the actor’s tools, developing characterization and creating the story. The students learn to make connections to everyday experiences, improve comprehension skills and develop self-esteem. The workshops culminate with the students being ‘cast’ in a folk tale that they perform in class for their teacher and other students.

Professional Development: The Professional Development Workshop, ‘Putting a Story on its Feet,’ examines how theatre strategies can be integrated into the curriculum to develop reading and comprehension skills across all disciplines. Techniques are discussed that allow children to learn kinetically while improving collaborative skills.

Parent Read-Aloud Workshop: Parents are instructed on the importance of reading aloud to their children and discussing the literature with the child to develop comprehension, fluency and language acquisition. Vocal techniques are modeled to develop expression and variety. The academic benefits of reading aloud are emphasized as well as the positive bond that is created between child and parent.

Resources: Flights of Fantasy performs in-doors in auditoriums or multi-purpose rooms. Workshops are conducted in the classrooms. A Program Guide about the performance is sent to each school prior to the assemblies.

Please contact Lorrie Oshatz for rates: fofstories@earthlink.net or 818-353-0975.