Nathan Bishop Drama Club
Donation protected
Nathan Bishop Middle School Drama Club is an after school program directed by veteran dramatic arts teacher, Glenn Zienowicz.
"I have worked in academic theater for a over a decade, and I can be a very demanding coach. The whole time that I am working with students and driving them to higher levels than what it is that they they think they can do (and beyond) it is because I see the potential in the young person, and I believe that they are fully capable of doing what I am asking and more. Then, they reap the reward of the wonderful sense of accomplishment that they feel when they consider what they have realized and achieved."
In it's first year, Mr. Zienowicz and his students, performed productions of The Emperors New Clothes and Wind and the Willows. For many of the students, this was their first experience performing on stage.
"Mr. Zen made us work really hard which helped us build our confidence. He pushed us to learn our lines and speak loudly. After our first performance, I felt relieved, but also like we did really really well. It was a lot of fun! I was really proud of myself and all my fellow cast members. "
To start off the 2014-15 school year, the students helped write an anti-bullying piece that was performed at Brown University's Granoff Theater as part of the Everett Stage School's Freedom Cafe.
"We only had 6 hours to rehearse and we did not use a printed script to learn our lines. It was hard, but it was really fun."
When Mr. Zienowicz couldn't find a show that he felt suited his students, he decided to create a show. In partnership with the Trinity Reperatory Theater and Brown MFA program, Mr. Zienowicz and Brown MFA candiate Ian MacNeely, have co-written the script and music for an adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland.
At this time the students are learning the completed script, singing the original score, and waiting patiently to be assigned their parts.
"Of course, I want a part with a lot of lines, but no matter what part I get, I want to do the show. It is an awesome show!"
Alice will be premiered on May 15, 16, and 17, 2015 at the Nathan Bishop Middle School Auditorium.
In order for the show to go on, the Drama Club needs to cover the costs associated with designing and constructing the set; designing and creating the costumes; designing and creating the tickets, programs, and promotional materials; and hiring musicians to play the original score during each performance.
Mr. Zen consistently brings out the best in his students instilling confidence in each of them. They are able to to things they never imagined themselves excelling at. He also creates community among the students.
"I really like that I have become good friends with the other kids in drama club. My best friends I met in drama club."
In a time when we are seeing a reduction in the arts in education Mr. Zienowicz has brought high quality dramatic arts training to his students. With this funding, the Drama Club will continue to bring amazing student performed theater to Nathan Bishop and the local community.
"I have worked in academic theater for a over a decade, and I can be a very demanding coach. The whole time that I am working with students and driving them to higher levels than what it is that they they think they can do (and beyond) it is because I see the potential in the young person, and I believe that they are fully capable of doing what I am asking and more. Then, they reap the reward of the wonderful sense of accomplishment that they feel when they consider what they have realized and achieved."
In it's first year, Mr. Zienowicz and his students, performed productions of The Emperors New Clothes and Wind and the Willows. For many of the students, this was their first experience performing on stage.
"Mr. Zen made us work really hard which helped us build our confidence. He pushed us to learn our lines and speak loudly. After our first performance, I felt relieved, but also like we did really really well. It was a lot of fun! I was really proud of myself and all my fellow cast members. "
To start off the 2014-15 school year, the students helped write an anti-bullying piece that was performed at Brown University's Granoff Theater as part of the Everett Stage School's Freedom Cafe.
"We only had 6 hours to rehearse and we did not use a printed script to learn our lines. It was hard, but it was really fun."
When Mr. Zienowicz couldn't find a show that he felt suited his students, he decided to create a show. In partnership with the Trinity Reperatory Theater and Brown MFA program, Mr. Zienowicz and Brown MFA candiate Ian MacNeely, have co-written the script and music for an adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland.
At this time the students are learning the completed script, singing the original score, and waiting patiently to be assigned their parts.
"Of course, I want a part with a lot of lines, but no matter what part I get, I want to do the show. It is an awesome show!"
Alice will be premiered on May 15, 16, and 17, 2015 at the Nathan Bishop Middle School Auditorium.
In order for the show to go on, the Drama Club needs to cover the costs associated with designing and constructing the set; designing and creating the costumes; designing and creating the tickets, programs, and promotional materials; and hiring musicians to play the original score during each performance.
Mr. Zen consistently brings out the best in his students instilling confidence in each of them. They are able to to things they never imagined themselves excelling at. He also creates community among the students.
"I really like that I have become good friends with the other kids in drama club. My best friends I met in drama club."
In a time when we are seeing a reduction in the arts in education Mr. Zienowicz has brought high quality dramatic arts training to his students. With this funding, the Drama Club will continue to bring amazing student performed theater to Nathan Bishop and the local community.
Organizer
Cheryl Adams Johnson
Organizer
Providence, RI
