Semester Recap
Using several classic holiday films and stories as inspiration, we built a showcase of scenes and songs presented in conjunction with GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago’s holiday party. During the first class of the semester, we asked our ensemble to share some of their favorite holiday stories and characters, and then sourced a variety of scenes (using some of our favorite classic claymation movies as inspiration!) to build a unique cabaret around their suggestions. Classes during the semester focused on movement and physicality, exploring how our characters would move through space and interact with each other, and also brought in a choreographer to teach us some dance moves (including a big kick line!) for our grand finale!
Each actor performed in 2 scenes as well as several group numbers. We opened with a group song - “The Island of Misfit Toys” from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. The Girls danced to “The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” from The Nutcracker, and the boys built a movement piece to “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. For our big finale, we performed a group dance to “Jingle Bell Rock”!
Performance
December 18th, 2011 at Stage 773
Gigi’s Teen Drama Troupe
Colleen Altman
Quincy Bane
Rachel Buchanan
Kathleen Daley*
Andrew Kosnik
Emily Kwidzinski
Emily Lavin
Sam Petri*
Sam Radinsky
Head Facilitators
Mallory Schuh & Katie Yohe
Facilitators
Lawrence Kern
Kirsten Klotz*
Katie White*
Lighting and Sound Technician
Cody Spellman
Choreographer
Kendra Van Kempen*
* = first semester with our ensemble
“Watching the Holiday Showcase made me want to volunteer! I saw how much fun the kids were having, and I wanted to be a part of it. “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch” was my favorite part.”
“I would have never thought Kathleen would get up on stage in front of a crowd and actually speak (and have fun doing it!). Clear speech has been a struggle for her. You nurture skills in our children that are difficult to express. It is unbelievable!”
We're flashing back to our past productions all summer long! Join us next time for love, magic spells, and fairies in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream!
