LINX Theater In-School Programs

CULTURE / HISTORY / LITERATURE LIVE!

Over the course of a week the children learn music, create costumes and props, learn lines and perform in a live show before parents, teachers, and fellow students.

CULTURE LIVE!

"Our featured performers, their families, and our staff members were totally engaged as your magical, musical folktale journey captured their attention and hearts. ...You bring out the drama from within everyone involved, even a typically reserved child... the unsolicited feedback was overwhelming... You were the talk of the school and town!"

— Margaret E. Donohoe, Principal, Fannie E. Proctor School

Culture Live! focuses on a specific region and the mythological stories attached to that region. Popular stories are from Ghana, Mexico, and China due to curriculum of local schools, but any culture can be selected whether it be Lakota, Vietnamese, Norse, Greek, or from anywhere around the world!
The children learn a song directly from or inspired by the culture. Costume and props are also designed around traditions of the culture.

HISTORY LIVE!

History Live! can be created from a historical era or a specific historical moment. For example, a request can be made to have a show about the Revolutionary War or specifically about Paul Revere's Ride; The Historical Progress of Science or Copernicus discovers the earth is not the center of the universe. Performers learn music inspired by traditions of the time and area, design costumes and props based on what we know was worn, and historical quotes are inserted when available.

LITERATURE LIVE!

Literature Live! brings to life a literary work the kids are studying. The class selects a favorite section of the book to present to their school. A song inspired by the book's content is learned along with lines and famous quotations from the work. Costumes and props are designed around the setting of the story. Younger students get a glimpse at a story that lies ahead in their academic careers while older students enjoy the look back at a story they themselves most likely learned.

All stories are crafted to give performers equal roles - in keeping with LINX Theater's philosophy. Those familiar with Nan Rumpf's programs will find the stories she researched and performed within Culture Live! The presentation of these wonderful stories has been expanded to include performers learning music and speaking dialogue.

All Live! shows are achieved in one week, working with students only one hour a day. Some days slate an extra hour to train parent volunteers, but do not interfere with students' schedules beyond the one hour dedicated to learning the show. Music, costume/prop creation, and dialogue are separated into three days. The fourth day the elements are brought together and an extra hour is given before the Friday performance for a final rehearsal in order to solidify the performers' confidence.

Contact Todd Morse at tmorse@linx-usa.com for prices and available dates.

IMPROVISATION WORKSHOP

Spontaneous theater is one of the most unique and challenging forms of theater. Therefore, it is also one of the most rewarding. Participants learn to have trust in one another as well as their own ideas and creativity. They realize their knowledge of the world around them is more extensive than even they imagined. Each game focuses on different aspects of human thinking, often relying on a performer's instinct as their most reliable tool. They then learn to hone their instincts much as an athlete does, allowing ideas to come faster and from deeper within their conscious and subconscious.

Improvisation aids theater students in innumerable ways, helping them add original interpretations to an author's work and not worrying as much if things go wrong because they realize they can simply 'improvise' the scene back to where it is supposed to be so that the audience never notices the hiccup. Sometimes it is a quick word or an entire monologue that beckons to an actor who forgot to enter or departed the scene too early.

Improvisation also aids the performer in their studies. First, it offers them a release from the regular constraints of school; a place where yelling is okay and absurd behavior is encouraged. These indulgences do not find their way back to the classroom, but the confidence in one's ideas, the courage to stand before others even if one is not sure what is going to happen next, and a self-trust that leads to leadership qualities do.

This course is offered primarily as a during school workshop or repeating elective in the curriculum. After-school is possible with certain restrictions.

Contact Todd Morse at tmorse@linx-usa.com for prices and available dates.

HOLIDAY CONCERT

During the holidays, few things get a school community in the spirit than a holiday concert. Ease additional burdens on the staff by allowing LINX's experienced staff to take the helm. Song selections, musical training, decorations, and even parent contact and notifications can all be turned over. This also offers staff an extra hour or so to relax during a time of year that can be quite stressful for adults. The end result is a wonderful concert that has parents, staff, and students smiling, entertained, and celebrating the spirit of the holiday.

Contact Todd Morse with school requirements at tmorse@linx-usa.com. Prices and availability vary.

ALL LINX PROGRAMS MAY BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT FEES DEPENDING ON LOCATION AND PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.