“Lions and Tigers and Bears… oh my!”
Second grade classes at William O. Schaefer Elementary School are taking the stage with productions of “The Wizard of Oz” this week! Since September, all second grade classes have been working with Stage Left Children’s Theater Teaching Artist Andrea Seigel as part of the District’s theater enrichment program, which is partially funded through an Arts in Education grant from the New York State Council on the Arts.
Before Jaclyn Nandlal’s students began their performance, Seigel gave them a pep talk. “I want you all to make sure that you can be seen, heard and understood by your audience! Remember to be your character and take deep breaths if you’re nervous,” said Seigel. She then had the performers warm up to prepare to sing, dance and act before an audience of their families and friends.
WOS Principal Sheila Beglin welcomed families, “We are so grateful to have worked with Ms. Andrea for the past six years. Through participation in this program, we have discovered that our students have many talents!”
Beglin expressed special thanks to WOS Music teacher Beth Fox for helping performers practice their music, Art teacher Liz Piteo for decorating the stage and the Stage Left Children’s Theater for its continued partnership.