Students dive deeper into IB Theatre
IB Theatre students in the Performing Arts Center (PAC), contemplating the deeper meaning of art on stage, discovering new ideas and learning more about themselves.
Marilyn Strange has taught theater classes at NPHS for five years, adding IB Theatre to her list. “(The class) is actually not as new as people think. It was taught here before a long time ago. I’m excited about the class and this was the right time, it fit the schedule… It was time for IB,”Strange said.
“I think even if you don’t do theater, it’s such a great class to take because as teenagers we are all exploring ourselves and the arts are a great way to open that door,” Celina Kott, senior, said.
“It’s a mixture of directing, writing, creating and acting. We analyze scripts and the way culture affects theater and not just in America but also in different cultures,” Charles Ocampo, senior, said.
IB Theatre approaches teaching and learning differently from a typical classroom. As the teacher, Strange tries to be hands-off, and lets students lead the discussions.
“The students are the ones that are really delving in, thinking about; ‘Who am I? Why do I hold the values and biases that I have based upon what I gravitate towards.’ It’s really exciting to watch them figure out and it also is gives me food for thought as an artist. It’s neat to see them explore theatre in a different kind of free way,” Strange said.
“I think it’s a really exciting opportunity, I have some students in there who are not as familiar as theatre as some as the others. So there is all levels, and I think if anybody is just interested in that level of theatre and thinking too. It’s not just that kid who likes to sing and dance, or is a big Shakespearean actor it is for all levels and all kinds,” Strange said.
