Empowerment

Learning is most relevant when students are allowed to become co-creators in the process. Gail Brower-Nedler, the drama teacher at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach, California, and I found a way to engage the students in a lesson that taught story development, characterization and plot by adapting a book into a play. The organic nature of this creative process allowed the students to manipulate dialog and scenes, while maintaining adherence to the core of the story. The students learned to assume responsibility, problem solve, think critically and take risks.

We worked with my young adult novel, Rogelia's House of Magic, a coming of age book about three Latina teens learning about friendship and magic under the guidance of a curandera (spiritual healer). I edited the book into the play format and brought to class two to four scenes at a time. As the students read the script, the actors and audience collectively decided what needed to be cut, reworded or added. At first the kids were tentative about making changes to the script, but became increasingly empowered as we encouraged their suggestions and ownership. As the author, I maintained final editing vote, depending on what needed to stay as an essential part of the plot.

Hilary, a junior, stepped up to be the student director and cast the kids into their roles. Whereas this story features four Latina main characters, this school mainly has a population of Caucasian students, with a growing number of Hispanic students. One girl, a new transfer student who hadn't volunteered for any roles, asked to be in this play. She was Latina and felt this story really spoke to her and so overcame her shyness to step into a strong character that celebrated her heritage.

Over the next several weeks, I visited the class and watched their progress with the play, which took longer than we all thought. With the flexibility established from the beginning, we altered our course and created what would be Act One, approximately eight chapters.

Students filmed the final project. One of my favorite parts was when the four students who dressed in the colors that coincided with each direction. Hilary had written a prologue that set the tone of the play, in which the four directions introduced themselves, their corresponding element (air, fire, water, earth) and colors, and their powers. One girl, who at first didn't really seem to be into the play at all, insisted she was standing in the wrong direction. She was right and so we made sure everyone moved into their proper positions.

When the editing is complete, we'll have Act One on film. My intention is to work with other classes to create Act Two and Three and someday have an entire play from start to finish, created by the students for the students. For me this experience went beyond my expectations, in the organic, empowering way it awakened creativity, tolerance, and pride of ownership for all who were involved.

Rogelia's House of Magic can be used in classrooms for theatre adaptation.

"It is a rare opportunity for high school students to work with a published author. Jamie Martinez Wood originally contacted the theatre department at Newport Harbor High School for the purpose of casting an actress for her on-line Rogelia's House of Magic book trailer. During the audition process, it was obvious that our students were intrigued by the novel and eager to be involved in any way possible with the process. The idea of providing a "workshop" experience where our high school students could participate in creating a script and theatrical version of Rogelia's House of Magic was born. Over the course of three months, students in beginning drama were able to participate in meaningful dialogue with Jamie Martinez Wood which allowed them to write, direct and act out a segment of the novel. The process of moving from page to stage was especially meaningful because our students had access to the "soul" of the novel--it's delightful author. By virtue of allowing young artists to add their voices to her work, Jamie encouraged the beginning drama students at Newport Harbor High School to see the connection between art and life. Her generous spirit opened avenues of communication and encouraged collaboration in our classroom setting. While she could easily have "told" the students what to include in the performance, Jamie opened her heart and mind to the ideas of high school teens--allowing them to grow as writers, actors and artists. I believe that the students involved will never forget this incredible learning experience."

Gail Brower-Nedler
Theatre Educator
Newport Harbor High School