March 15, 2021
From isolation to connection, reimagining the school play
There’s no doubt that isolation has had an impact on kids during the pandemic. Virtual learning has been a focus for schools but missing out on in-person classes means missing out other activities — namely, extracurriculars. The cancellation of “nonessential” activities has left many kids without vital outlets to socialize, which is critical to social and emotional development.
That’s what happened at Thurman White Academy of the Performing Arts middle school when performances were jeopardized because students couldn’t gather face to face. “They’re theater kids, so they perform, said Ms. Wilder, Drama Teacher. “They want to put that strong face forward, and it makes me very proud as their teacher, but I know they are missing out on those opportunities, and it’s heartbreaking.” So we took matters into our own hands by bringing in Oscar-winning director, Patrick Osborne, along with some cutting-edge technology to bring back their stage and pull off the performance of a lifetime.
Instead of a typical school play, we sent each of the 22 students tablets programmed with special animation technology. This gave each student a way to voice and act out characters drawn to look and move just like them in an animated film, from the safety of their own homes. The students worked together while physically apart, experienced a real film production process and learned new skills. We captured their work behind the scenes in this video and will premier “Drawn Closer” – the full animated short – in May.
This project and film were produced to inspire us all to stay connected to each other, and to show the real power of technology to bring us closer to one another at a time when it’s seriously needed. While we hope this inspires, we know many parents face concerns of their own children during this time. We’ve provided tips to help parents find ways to counteract the unintended consequences of coronavirus safety measures.
Combining technology with resiliency and creativity, like these young thespians did, draws us closer to family, friends, our purpose and our passions which in turn creates memorable and joyful experiences. There’s no doubt, we can all use more of that.
