Theater Students Reinvent Class

Imagine preparing for a performance and knowing that you'll never get to share it with an audience. That's the dilemma that Overlake's Arts Department faces as the pandemic has closed the curtain on stages across the world. 

But just as performers have had to reinvent arts experiences, Overlake's music and theater teachers are looking to their students to lead the charge. In Shea Fleming's 7th and 8th Grade Theater class, students are creating a story, writing a script, casting characters, and performing in front of a camera. "Since we're online, Ms. Fleming has given us this opportunity to write our own play, which I think is amazing," says Alexandra P. ('26), who really enjoys the breakout sessions. "We brainstorm ideas and build on those ideas. We're working on some backstories for our characters and still adding ideas, revising, and discussing. It's a constant process, but it's going to be a play you don't want to miss!"

While the program is still untitled, Fleming is taking a unique approach to teaching the class. "As a director, I've never been put in a position like this," explains Fleming. "We're so used to following a schedule that leads up to a show and that's not going to happen for this production. I'm encouraging the students to be ready for many unplanned challenges and understand that our community appreciates the effort they're putting into this show."

Instead of a performance on stage, the students are recording their scenes from home. They will then put together all the pieces to create an online show. For the actors and director, it's a major adjustment. "I love to perform in front of a live audience, because then you actually feel the stage vibes and anything can go wrong! I think that’s the beauty of theater," explains Alexandra. "I do have to say that doing an online play has its benefits. One, you can have multiple takes to record, and if you mess up, you can just do it again! Two, you can edit it to make it look better." 

This week the students recorded the introduction to their show. Several students submitted a quote from classmate Renda T. ('26) in a foreign language. "We don't rest fighting for freedom because not having freedom doesn't let us rest!" The students translated the sentence and submitted it for the opening of their show. Click here to see it.