It's okay to act out

NEA Today, Oct 1999

Think it's possible to have high school students and third graders learning together? Michelle Monger knows it is.

In the drama program she started seven years ago at Spotswood High School in Pennlaird, Virginia, Monger has seen students of all ages and backgrounds join together successfully in the spirit of the performing arts.

"It really breaks down all barriers," Monger says. "The students all have to learn to work together to produce the final result. "

High school students in Monger's performing arts class reach out to local elementary school classes and conduct drama workshops. The 90-minute workshops feature theater "games," such as creating a human machine, and a short play that involves both the older and younger students.

"The high school students learn to interact with the younger kids and undertake responsibility outside their school setting," explains Monger. "And the elementary school students love the attention from the high schoolers and get exposure to drama. "

Monger says her students conduct 25 to 30 workshops a school year, in mainly third and fourth grade classes. At the end of the year, the high school students put on a big production for the elementary schools.

"It's like a working theater company," Monger says. "The students do all the teaching, they choose the plays, and they design the props and costumes. "

Monger is teaching English classes this year, but her drama program just continues to grow.