Eighth Grade Play a Success
Collegiate's 8th Grade play wrapped up last weekend after three successful performances that showcased students' talents and ability to shine as a team.
The 8th Grade play has been a class project for many years, but it has never been mandatory. Of the 132 students in the Class of 2020, 120 chose to participate in some capacity this year - whether onstage or behind the scenes, said Middle School drama teacher Jenny Hundley, who facilitates the production every year, and coaches student thespians, in partnership with Collegiate's choral and dance departments.
Students performed the play three times last week - during the school day on Friday, for special guests from other schools; on Friday evening, and on Saturday afternoon. The play was entirely run by 8th Graders, with Mrs. Hundley and other faculty members offering support as needed.
"The experiential learning is in full swing," Mrs. Hundley said. "They have to problem solve in the moment, cover for each other and enjoy the success of a job well done. The 8th Graders did amazing work this year. It's such a nice group of students!"
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"My goal with this project is to give students the experience of learning about all aspects of theater while having a collaborative experience with a shared goal of telling a good story to our audience," Mrs. Hundley said. "Our primary audience is the younger students at Collegiate, and that guides the choices for material."
This year's play was Roald Dahl's "James and the Giant Peach, Jr." Mrs. Hundley chose to audition two casts for the production, so that more students who wanted to perform onstage could do so.
"I don't always double cast a production, but I like to do so because it spreads the opportunity for students and it also gives us a built in understudy if someone gets sick.... The benefit of seeing the creative interpretation of each actor's approach to [his or her] character is such a neat thing."
This year's play was Roald Dahl's "James and the Giant Peach, Jr." Mrs. Hundley chose to audition two casts for the production, so that more students who wanted to perform onstage could do so.
"I don't always double cast a production, but I like to do so because it spreads the opportunity for students and it also gives us a built in understudy if someone gets sick.... The benefit of seeing the creative interpretation of each actor's approach to [his or her] character is such a neat thing."
Students performed the play three times last week - during the school day on Friday, for special guests from other schools; on Friday evening, and on Saturday afternoon. The play was entirely run by 8th Graders, with Mrs. Hundley and other faculty members offering support as needed.
"The experiential learning is in full swing," Mrs. Hundley said. "They have to problem solve in the moment, cover for each other and enjoy the success of a job well done. The 8th Graders did amazing work this year. It's such a nice group of students!"
Mrs. Hundley is grateful for the support of Charlie Blair, Head of Collegiate's Middle School.
"He has always seen the play as an important 8th Grade experience, and it wouldn't be possible without his support and flexibility with the schedule."
Congrats to our 8th Graders who participated!
"He has always seen the play as an important 8th Grade experience, and it wouldn't be possible without his support and flexibility with the schedule."
Congrats to our 8th Graders who participated!
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