Broadway Teacher’s Workshop
Assignment #1 - Day 1
Susan Frank
The first workshop of the entire conference was called “Make a Connection” and was presented by Susan Blackwell, an actress, an interviewer, a Broadway performer, a television star, and a teacher. This workshop was all about creating an intention for the conference, learning more about yourself, and sharing your world and your hopes, aspirations and accomplishments with the other participants. The point of this workshop was for people to have meaningful conversations right away, and dispense with idle chatter.
Susan Blackwell is a charismatic person, and a warm, engaging, supportive presenter. She made us think and work right away, by giving us a writing assignment. This is a great technique. Teachers are lectured to by presenters too often, and teachers know all too well how important hands-on, student-centered learning really is. Ms. Blackwell had us answering questions and sharing with the group right away. The first exercise was to write down as many things as you could think of in a short amount of time that “re-fill your well”, or excite you. She then asked for people to circle the ones that really make you particularly motivated or re-charged.
The next practice she had us work with was to write down as many things as you can think of in three minutes that inspire you. She used quotations to support us before we began writing, a great practice as well. The quotation she used for this exercise was “Every blade of grass has an angel that bends over it and whispers, ‘grow, grow, grow’. She asked us, “Are you the blade of grass or are you the angel?” This quotation both inspired me to think of myriad of things that excite me, but it also made me think of the people in my life who are my angels, and those people who I am angels to. It was a great way to get us to look at the big picture in our work and our lives. You cannot always be the angel, and you must allow others to re-fill your well.
After we did this list writing, Ms Blackwell had us share for five minutes with one person, introducing ourselves, and sharing what inspires you. After that, she opened it up to the group. Several people shared, and then we “whooshed” those people. This is a great technique, I will use, that was a way to thank the people for sharing to the whole group. We all pushed our hands towards the participant and called out, “Whoosh” so the people would feel supported for sharing their ideas and their intimate thoughts to the larger group.
I work with middle school students, and there are never enough ways to draw them out in drama class, and get them invested in the work of opening up and creating characters. I will use the list-making right away in my sixth grade drama class this fall. My students often feel shy at first about sharing their ideas with the class. Writing lists of what inspires them, who inspires them, and what they are especially proud of will give them a chance to organize their thoughts before they have to write a poem about their lives, or a play with a group. Along with that, I will use the practice of “whooshing” in my advisory class and drama class this fall. Fun, silly ways to connect with sixth graders are useful for creating a collaborative atmosphere in the classroom. Middle school students will love the “whooshing”.
I have always used quotations in my work, both in music, drama and advisory time. I love to experience a technique I use for my students. When it helps and supports my learning, it reassures me that I am teaching in ways that will help others as well. I will continue to have students think about quotations and discuss them, as Susan had us do that morning. She shared with us some teachings and techniques from The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. I plan to find that book and use it in my professional and personal life, to refill my well, to inspire me and to help others break down barriers.
Susan Blackwell is a fabulous presenter. She modulates her voice, which keeps you interested. She has you sit in the round, which has us all look at each other, and connect more readily. She
shares personal experiences, and emotions, which models her trust for us. We can trust that it is a
safe place for us to share emotions and personal experiences together.
