Honk! Here come the giggling Grade 3 singers
November 20, 2009
Debra Black
STAFF REPORTER
They stomped. They sang. They wiggled their hips.
For many of the students from Regent Park/Duke of York Junior Public School, it was the first time they had ever had any musical theatre training. And by the end of the workshop they were tiny Ethel Mermans in the making, belting out a Broadway show tune.
It was all part of a musical theatre workshop and performance at the Palmerston branch of the Toronto Public Library, presented by Da Capo Productions. The show was put on by Christopher Wilson, a 36-year-old performer and artistic director of a troupe of Toronto teens, who specialize in musical theatre.
The production was Honk, based on the Hans Christian Andersen tale of The Ugly Duckling.
The workshop is designed to teach elementary schoolchildren who come from priority neighbourhoods about the performing arts as well as self-expression and creativity, says Wilson. The program works on two levels, he explains. First, the kids are exposed to musical theatre and learn about how to move, sing and project. They do warm-up exercises and dramatic games.
Then, they get to watch a musical and learn something from it. Honk tells the children about self-esteem, acceptance and bullying, said Wilson.
For the students, learning a song –"Warts and All" – from the production, was the highlight of the morning. The 40 Grade 3 students giggled and clucked as Wilson and the teens taught them the words and motions. "Out there, someone's gonna love ya," the children sang, spreading their hands out and turning to a make-believe audience for a big finish, "warts and all."
Wilson was thrilled with their performance. "Are you guys all Broadway stars?" he asked. The children laughed appreciatively. "One last time, kids," Wilson cried out. "This one's for Broadway."
Over lunch, the children mused about what they'd learned. "I thought it was fun because I got to learn new things and meet new people," said Julio Dacosta. "I liked the dancing, the singing and playing games," said Firdaus Rashid.
"The type of child we're focused on reaching through this program is the type of kid who has socioeconomic and socio-cultural barriers," Wilson said. "The performing arts is the last priority in their lives."
Said Michael Lee, one of the Grade 3 teachers at the workshop with his class: "It's nice to have someone who knows what they're doing in drama. Many of the kids have never been in a live theatre before. It's eye-opening for them. Kids who are really shy really benefit from this."
The teen performers also learn how to mentor younger children, get performing experience and improve their own leadership skills, Wilson said.
Toronto Star