Our Drama Literacy Program is an innovative children’s theater program that serves thousands of elementary and middles school children every year. This 20+ year program encourages students to put into direct practice, through a language-based art form, the literary skills they are learning in the classroom. Professional instructors work hand-in-hand with the school’s teachers to help students with comprehension, interpretation, and teamwork. Students also love the opportunity to perform plays for their peers, parents, and local community!
Students taking part in the creation, rehearsal, and performance of a play provides them a unique experience to boost their literacy skills, their confidence and creativity, their ability to work collaboratively, and their interpersonal skills; all of which are major assets that will serve them well in the future. Over 23,000 students have participated in this program!
To bring this enriching program to your location, please .
Drama Literacy Programs have run at over a dozen schools in the Portland metro area for over 20 years!
** FREE PUBLIC PERFORMANCES! **
“It was my privilege to work with Michael Wehrli and New Moon Productions for eleven years now at Daniel A. Grout Elementary School. It was a wonderful addition to our literacy and arts program and one enthusiastically supported by our entire staff and community.”
Susan McElroy, school principal, PPS Principal of the Year, retired
Benefits of the Drama Literacy Program
Students:
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- put into direct practice the literacy skills learned in the classroom
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- express their emotions in a safe and supportive environment
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- experience their imaginations being celebrated and encouraged
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- increase their self-confidence and enhance their self-esteem
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- improve their communication and interpersonal skills
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- are focused and disciplined in their approach to acting and text comprehension
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- increase their ability to work collaboratively
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- appreciate other cultures and ideas
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- help to foster community by bringing families together with their performances
Program Details
The information below represents how the program has typically run in the past, but any aspect of the program can be modified to match your school’s specific needs and goals. to find out how you can bring the Drama Literacy Program to your school!
Ages: Grades 2-5, K-1, and middle school
Group Size: 10-60 students
Days: Monday-Thursday (sometimes Friday)
Hours: 1-3 hours per day
Duration: 8-14 weeks/sessions for Grades 2-5 & middle school.
Dates: Early September through early June. Fall, Winter, Spring terms.
Professional Instructors: 1-2 (depending on class sizes)
Any of the above details can be modified to match your school’s specific needs and goals.
Over the course of the program, students work on text comprehension and interpretation, ensemble building, improvisation, character development, voice and diction, and stage movement, while rehearsing a play. The play is based on a book or story, or sometimes created in class, or written by our resident playwright, Michael Wehrli. Plays also have a focus on challenging students’ current literacy skills.
At the end of the 8-14 week session, students perform their plays once for the entire school and again in the evening for their parents and families. Performances include basic costumes, props, and sometimes scenery that the students make themselves, or work with one of technical theater instructors.
Remember, any of the above details can be modified to match your school’s specific needs and goals. For more information about bringing this program to your school, fill out the or .
