Issue link: https://trevordayschool.uberflip.com/i/915972
lower school miniterm musical T R E V O R T R A N S L AT E S : Every year, 4th and 5th graders collaborate for 15 days to create artistic magic. And this year, a snow day meant they had to pull it off in 14! One of Trevor's icons, MiniTerm, takes students on a detour from their regular curricular programming and affords them opportunities to explore passions and interests in classes that are not a part of an average curriulum. Choosing from a wide range of electives—from genealogy, to opera singing, to video game creation, for example—students engage in new topics that offer additional intense, in-depth, inquiry-based learning. In the three weeks that comprise MiniTerm, they learn more about themselves, work with new teachers, and form friendships with children outside of their homeroom. For many, the highlight of the Lower School's MiniTerm is its showcase project: a musical production, in which every 4th and 5th grader participates and experiences stage time— over 100 students this academic year! is year's play was Seussical, Jr., a fun and dynamic musical that features Dr. Seuss' best- known and much-loved story characters. Seussical, Jr. was last performed in 2013 and was brought back because it was a favorite, for both students—who said they were inspired by it—and teachers—who appreciate the fact that there are so many acting parts. is year, every character in Seussical, Jr. was, in fact, played by multiple students. at's because Lower School Music Teacher Carly Kulawitz divides the play and students into six groups, which follow the chronological order of the play: Group one covers the first part of the show; group two picks up where group one ends, and so on, and so forth. As such, six students each are playing Horton, Maysie La Bird, Gertrude McFuzz, and other iconic characters. Students observe how other students approach their roles as part of the learning process. Director of Auxiliary Programs Lisa Goldberg explains why every student performs in the musical. She says, "What I love most about MiniTerm is seeing the quieter students suddenly shine and stand out on stage. is past year, one 4th-grade student in particular blew me away with his stage presence, voice, projection, and dance skills. I have known him since 1 4 T R E V O R D AY S C H O O L n FA L L 2 0 1 7 – 2 0 1 8 he was in Kindergarten and I never knew he had this in him! When I saw his first rehearsal, I suggested to his mother that he might benefit from a professional musical theatre program outside of school. He is now taking musical theatre classes at an award-winning acting studio for children." Given that context, Grade 4 teacher Mary Moran's comment, "I love to imagine seeing the kids on Broadway someday!" doesn't seem far-fetched. Ms. Kulawitz takes the lead in making sure that each student's role is what he or she is most suited for. She asks, for example, "Do you want to have a big part or a small part? Would you feel more comfortable not having a speaking part?" Students pursue what they most want to get out of the experience. is is an all-hands-on-deck approach: Every 4th- and 5th- grade teacher teams up to run a performance group. Ms. Kulawitz focuses on all the musical aspects. A professional outside stage director is on set to address choreography, sound and lighting, blocking, and the production's general cohesion. "Without everyone's help, it simply wouldn't be possible," Ms. Kulawitz says. Many older students and alumni have fond memories of original MiniTerm musical plays— such as Relatively Speaking, written by Tom Scholz, 5th-grade teacher, and Jenny Golanka, Pre-Kindergarten teacher. More recently, though, Trevor has licensed "junior shows," which run roughly an hour, without an intermission. As New I always get goosebumps and chills when I see the first performance. —Lisa Goldberg, Director of Auxiliary Programs