Glitter & Razz Blog

Human pyramid

Glitter & Razz Dramatic Playspace is filled with creative energy today.  Kids were running lines, rehearsing choreography for a scarf dance, and blocking their scenes on stage.  Move & Groove director, Sophia taught kids the difference between being a “strong base” or a ” flyer” in a human period.  All the kids were excited to try out the different roles.  “I WANT TO FLY!” was exclaimed more than once throughout the morning.  I watched them take turns supporting each other, falling safely on the mat and doing their best to stay up.  This is what being bold and brave is all about.

Guest artist, Martin Brecht, returned today for more magic messes.  The kids have LOVED creating art with Martin.  First, they brainstorm all the pieces they’d like to include in their setting- a Queen’s castle on the Moon.  Then, they decide which part to make alone or in small groups.  Martin brings out tons of art supplies, encourging them to use recycled materials in their work.  “Who used a splattering technique in their work today?” he asks. “Who painted with a toothbrush? Who has a celebration of something they made?” Kids are supported to hang up their projects on the back wall, slowly developing a back drop for the play.

Painting a Galaxy

Reading through the script

The Boldest, Bravest Play Ever!

As the week goes on, these young artists have shaped their ideas for characters, setting, conflicts and solutions for their play.  Play director, Cassie Powell, leads the kids to think about…”What challenge or obstacle does your character face?  What are they afraid of? How do they overcome their fears?” These deep questions are explored playfully- through a game show hosted by a puppet too scared to perform herself.  Each actor becomes a guest on the puppet’s game show, giving her advice about overcoming fears. Kids love nothing more than being the experts and this week at camp is giving them plenty of opportunities to do so.

After days of exploring, playing, discussing and creating- a script has been compiled that features the best of our ensemble work together. It’s exciting and sometimes nerve-wrecking for the actors to receive their script.  Some kids are desperate to count the number of lines they have received.  Others are horrified that they might have to say even one line out loud in front of an audience.  Our youngest actors are not quite sure what a script is, how to read it or whether or not this is the real play.  They are thinking about facepaint.  All of this is an opportunity.  We remind them that theater gives everyone a part in a play. The play is a gift to the audience and every single part of the play is necessary for the gift to be complete. We remind them that if they want more lines, they can work hard to learn the ones they already have, sharing them in a loud and proud voice.  More lines could be added for them next week.  Kids that feel overwhelmed or are unable to learn the lines they have can share some with a friend or turn some of the words into movement.  The kids get to see a typed-up, “professional” play based on the ideas in their imagination and be directed to bring it to life.  Along the way, we are coaching them to ask for what they need, take risks and ultimately, feel successful and proud of themselves.

big, bold energy in Kids Choice

It’s clear that our bold, brave campers are feeling safe enough to bring more of themselves to camp.  While yesterday, it seemed that everyone was on their best behavior, wanting to make a good impression- today they are comfortable enough to test our group agreements, show their silly sides and practice navigating conflicts with their new friends.  All of this is good news.  It means that we can begin the real work of camp…exploring how to be our boldest, bravest selves while working together as an artistic community.  A couple kids were supported to use “I” statements in the “Peace Place” to express their feelings.  Others practiced quietly moving to another part of the room if they were being distracted by the person next to them.  As teachers, we saw more vulnerability today and had a chance to be firm and flexible- doing our best to blend clear boundaries with the nurturing that these young artists need.

our ensemble

We also began to go into our theme and the children reflected on what brave means to them.  Jasper offered that being brave is “being brave when you go into the darkness.”  “Bravery means that you are going to a scary place by yourself and you’re not afraid, ” said Ivy.  Each day, these answers from community circle questions are typed up and posted in the room.  They will turn into lines for the play and shape the lessons and projects we plan throughout camp.

Bold, Brave Camp is off to a great start!  Our group of 10 artists arrived- some eager, some taking things a little slower.  Teachers Cassie, Sophia and our part-time intern Alaysia helped everybody feel at home.  In Move & Groove, kids warmed up their bodies with yoga poses, then moved across the floor, played freeze dance and practiced freezing in neutral position. (Part of being bold and brave is learning self control!) Drama class was full of improv games, ensemble building and learning how actors move on stage. (ask your kids where downstage left is) By this afternoon, kid bios were being typed up on the computer and self portraits were ripped from construction paper and collaged.  All of these activities were meant to introduce these artists to the art forms, to each other and to camp in general.

It must have worked because during each Kids Choice period, a spontaneous announcement would be made by one child or another “I am putting on a puppet show!  Anyone can come and watch!” or “We are making up a play on stage!Come be any character you want!” Some put together the sets on stage.  Some tried on 12 different costumes before deciding.  Some wanted to watch the show.  Others were right in the middle of the action- on stage. However the kids chose to enter into the play, they had a great time doing it!

During the afternoon rehearsal, kids shared about people who are brave- in their families, in books, in history.  This list lead to a brainstorm of characters they want to be in our play.  They were encouraged to develop these characters from their imagination- nothing they’ve already seen on tv- and will spend the week exploring how these characters overcome their fears and become the heroes of their own stories.

Even though Summer Camps just began, we are already announcing our Fall 2010 Programs!  We will be back in September with some popular favorites as well as some new programming.  And, because we REALLY want you to join us, we are offering 10% OFF camps and classes when you register before August 31st!* Some of the classes are open for registration right now and others will be open by Monday.  There is a lot to put on the website so your patience is much appreciated!

Go Girls! Afterschool Club is back on Thursday afternoons and better than ever.  The class has been increased from 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours per week.  Each girl will get snack each day, as well as her own t-shirt and journal.  Wanna know more about the Go Girls! Afterschool Clubs?  Maybe even find out how to bring a Club to your school or community? Check out the premiere of our Go Girls! video created by filmmaker, Angie Tures, and starring our very own Go Girls!, Ajna Singh and Sara Silverstein:

Itty Bitty Theater Workshops are back on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and will be taught by none other than Glitter & Razz co-founder, Allison Kenny. Allison, who is an expert in expressive arts and dramatic play for young children, has been on a hiatus from Glitter & Razz this year where she was focused on her work as a play therapist in the Floor Time method, working with children in the autism spectrum. She also started, grew, and managed a full program for children, youth, and families at a progressive church here in Oakland. I am so glad that she is back, I can hardly tell you.

Play in a Day Camps start up again with the first one of October 8 (followed by Oct 11 and Nov 11).  In Play in a Day Camps, kids ages 4-10 create, practice, and perform their very own play in just 1 day!

School Break Camps: When you just can’t the days off of work, send your children to us for creative learning and social/emotional exploration.  Our 2-Day Thanksgiving Gratitude Camp is Nov 22-33.  There will also be 2 sessions of Winter Holiday Camps – December 20-23 and December 27-30.

And the Fall is not just for kids!  This fall, we are hosting Family Workshops as well as workshops just for adults!

Family Workshops:

• Saturday, October 2 | 10:00am – 12:30pm | What’s Goin’ On Family Camp with Kelly Takunda Orphan Martinez | Spend time with your kids learning songs and dances from around the world.  Don’t tell me you don’t want to bang on a drum or 2.
• Saturday, November 6 | 10:00am – 12:30pm | Go Girls! For All with Lynn and Allison | You begged us to do it again and we are…gladly!  This Mother/Daughter event gives you the opportunity to play and create together as you explore the magic and power of being girls (and women).
• Saturday, October 23 | 10:00am – 6:00pm | BRAND NEW | Play in a Day for Adults and Kids | Have you ever wanted to be in a play but didn’t think you had the time?  Well, this in-depth theatrical experience, directed by me (co-founder, Lynn Johnson), is a rigorous and lovingly full day where we will explore an area of content, create an entire play from scratch, rehearse it, and then perform it that evening for a full audience.  We will be joined by professional actors and other artists to help us create our masterpiece.  The evening will include food, fun, and discussion and will change the way you think of “community theater.”

Adult Workshops:

• Make a Play. Change the World: A Professional Development Series for Education & Youth Work Professionals - 2 Sessions, Saturday August 21 and Saturday September 18 – Learn more about how to use theater and the arts to enhance students learning, build peaceful classroom, and make positive change in your communities and beyond.*The 10% Off Summer Sale does not apply to this Series.  However, the price is very right.  Just $6o for each 3 hour session or $100 when you register for both.
• Acting Class for the Wayward Revolutionary – 6 week session begins September 22 – You know you have an itch that needs to be scratched.  You are feeling less than creative.  Less than connected.  It’s time to take an Acting Class and learn the skills to change yourself and the world.  Yes, I am teaching it!

Dinner & A Show: A Parent’s Night Out | For those times when you just want a Saturday nigh (for once) to have a romantic dinner or drinks with friends.  Drop your kids off with us!  We’ll stuff ‘em full of Zachary’s Pizza and make up a play that we will perform for you when you come back to pick them up (please, don’t forget to come back and pick them up).  The second Saturday of the month beginning September 11.

And finally, we will soon announce 3 events for the Fall.  Here is the sneak preview:

• Sunday September 26 | Free Glitter & Razz Make a Play Event | Haven’t yet experienced the magic and power of Glitter & Razz? This will be a great time to try us out.
• Sunday October 31 | 3rd Annual Halloween Concert at Glitter & Razz | Artist to be announced.  But, whoever it is, come in costume prepared to dance your buns off!
• Saturday December 11 | The Bay Area Wide Go Girls! Event | The final culmination of the Go Girls! Fall Session where all Bay Area Go Girls! Afterschool Clubs come together to share their original plays with each other and the community.

What's Goin' On Campers at Frog Park

Week 2 feels different than Week 1.  We are all closer than we were last week at this time.  With that closeness comes more trust, more kind words, more comfort sharing our voices, our art, our stories.

The closeness also brings more giggles when we teachers may not think they are totally appropriate, more arguments over who gets to sit next to whom, and generally more distractions that make it a little more challenging to prepare for the big show.

But, it all comes with the territory.  And, for better or for worse, we have kicked into a higher gear as we rehearse, refine, and put ourselves in the same position that every other type of artist does when they are doing the hard work of making the best possible art for an audience.

FROM KELLY:

African dance is such a beautiful expression of humanity! I love to watch Masankho work with the students, teaching them about weight exchange, expression, intention and how we honor our ancestors through the dance.

Last week, I told the kids about my own personal experience with African Dancing and Drumming:

I moved to Zimbabwe in 1994 to study ethnomusicology at the University of Zimbabwe. I wanted to study drumming, and my professor took me to the home of Irene Chigamba, one of the few professional female drummers, who also had her own dance company in Zimbabwe.  I told her I wanted to study drumming. She replied, “Great, but I want you to dance before you play the drum.”

“Dance? I am dyslexic, I am chubby, I don’t want to study dance,” I thought to myself.

I replied, “I am not a dancer. I am a musician.” She said, “NO! You are an artist. In Zimbabwe, the Shona word “kutamba” means to drum, dance and sing.” There is no separation; these are the art forms we have been given at birth.

For sixth months, I did nothing but dance and sing. I didn’t drum for a long time. She would train me fairly aggressively (throwing sticks towards my direction if I failed-and that happened often!); I would end up in tears and want to give up. Often, the local women of the village knew the “Murungu” (white woman) was coming to learn dance, and they would often bring their knitting, and watch me and laugh! It was one of the most humbling, but one of the most healing experiences of my life.

Now I am still a bit shy dancing, but I know that it changed my life (I’m not nearly as dyslexic in my dancing!), and I learned the drumming for those Zimbabwean dances in just a few days, because I already had the rhythm inside my body!

With the inspiration of KUTAMBA, we asked our students to choose which song they will drum, dance and sing. We have three African dances and songs they will perform. All the students are dancing, drumming and singing. It’s inspiring to see them move, then drum and sing! I am looking forward to the concert this Friday!

On Friday of last week, we all had the opportunity to meet with muralist and Glitter & Razz teaching artist, Martin Brecht, to start creating our altar.  Inspired by the song, Ancestor’s Breath, he gave each kid a long strip of paper and asked them to think about the people, animals, and places that came before them.  They used pencil, crayon, oil pastel, paint, even glue and collage to represent a variety of images.  The kids have been working on it all week so far and it is going to be beautiful when it’s done.

This week, our staff gained Tacuma King, who is back again at What’s Goin’ On.  He is definitely a camp favorite as he teaches kids drumming with rigor, enthusiasm, and lots and lots of humor.  I haven’t gotten a video of his class yet, but I will, I promise.

Here are some more pics from our trip to Frog Park last week…

It was the coolest thing ever when I walked into What’s Goin’ On Camp right before lunch to see this happening right outside our door:

The UMOJA group (our 8-10 year olds) are working on the music for the song Ancestor’s Breath by Sweet Honey in the Rock with Kelly. But, it didn’t stop there. I walked inside the space to find the rest of the UMOJA group working with youth intern, Morgan, on another part of the song:

And then…yes, there is more…I went upstairs to Masankho’s dance class where the PAZ group (6-7 year olds) were practicing their dance to the same song.

The final performance of this camp is Friday, July 1 at 12noon where all of these pieces will come together. What is so incredible to me about this program is the level of artistic rigor that these elementary school age children experience. They are being treated by their teachers as real, working artists. Sure, they get a lot of breaks. A lot of time just to laugh and play and be with their friends…all of which is important. But, they are also learning to be part of something much bigger than themselves. They are learning what it means to try something, to look at it, and then to try again. And each individual kid is learning that they are and have something of value to contribute to this artistic community. That, even at 6 or 8 or 10, they have beautiful stories, voices, ideas, and images, to share with the world.

The following message is from Kelly, the Artistic Director of Glitter & Razz’s What’s Goin’ On Camp:

I want to say more about our theme of Ancestors for What’s Goin’ On. I welcome you to use these two weeks to talk and listen to your kids about your own families’ thoughts and beliefs about ancestors.

Here are thoughts compiled by Masankho and myself:

Theme: Ancestors: we are not alone!

Where we come from is important and why we celebrate our ancestors is important. When we celebrate our ancestors, we celebrate each other. We use stories from long ago and from various cultures to link us with ancestors.

We are a reflection of our ancestors. And our ancestors can be thought about in three different categories: family relations, cultural ancestors, and earth ancestors.

Three categories of ancestors:
1- Family relations: this is the category most of us are familiar with (grandparents and great-grandparents). At camp, we haven’t discussed in detail anyone’s actual family tree, and some brave children raised the issue of being adopted. I responded by saying that your family has carried forward traditions and talents that now belong to you. So you can celebrate more than one heritage! You actually get to celebrate all of it! I used my example in my own family where many of my relatives are adopted are multi-racial. We get to celebrate a variety of heritages in my family: African-American, Mexican, Latino, Armenian, Irish, Native American, Japanese and more!

2-Cultural ancestors: This is a term I made up, when thinking about what I have inherited culturally (specifically musically) as a person being born in USA. We learned about the blues in music class today. The music and culture of the blues is part of our cultural heritage. I think Michael Jackson & James Brown are important cultural ancestors that will continue to influence current pop music for many generations to come (see Glee’s episode “Funk.”)

3-Earth Ancestors: Let me share a quote from a Native American meditation:

“It is said when we walk on the Earth, we are walking on our ancestors. This is the relationship Native People have with the Earth. It is this relationship that gives insight into the Earth’s rhythms and heartbeat and creates the feeling of belonging. If you feel you belong to something, you’ll treat it with respect. We belong to the Earth along with all other creatures on the Earth.”

It was this introduction that we sang the song “My roots Go Down.” The students wrote verses about elements of nature.

And we are also doing the beautiful song “Ancestor’s Breath,” by Sweet Honey in the Rock.

Song Lyrics for Ancestor's Breath

During the second week of camp, we will be creating an “altar” (which is a way to respect others) of our “ancestors.” These can be of ancestors who have gone before us. These can be ancestors that come not only from our immediate families, but from those we have respected in history, animals, or living elders.

For example, a photo of Gandhi, Rosa Parks, Sonya Sotomayor, Martin Luther King, a redwood tree, a dinosaur, your cat or your grandmother are all great examples.  With family photos, I’d like to ask that they be easily accessible and not your only copy.

Yesterday, Day 2 of What’s Goin’ On Camp, took the kids further on their journey of exploring their connection to life that came before them. Here are some highlights:

They started their day in their community circle with teaching artist, Masankho Banda, leading them through InterPlay activities focused on improvisatory singing where the key lesson is all about the important of listening – how deep listening can free us all to find our voices and connect to others.

Masankho Banda with Kids

Music class with Kelly is definitely a highlight for most of the kids everyday.  Check out the video below of their learning to perform Sarah Pirtle’s “My Roots Go Down.”

Allison Kenny getting all set up for Expressive Arts

In the afternoon, the kids take their elective classes – Drama with me or Expressive Arts with my partner, Allison Kenny.  We both had great days yesterday.  In Expressive Arts, the kids were told they were going to paint a picture of their home and neighborhood.  However, the point of Expressive Arts is not about technique.  It’s about creative freedom.  So, when a 9 year old girl came up to Allison, freaking out, saying, “I can’t draw a nose!  I just can’t!!!”, Allison said to her, “What would happen if you could draw a nose?”  “I CAN’T!” Allison, very conscious of the good girl pressure that many young girls develop early on to be absolutely perfect at everything, coached this girl through a series of affirmations – I CAN draw a nose.  I am the ONLY ONE that can draw my nose.  I don’t have to be PERFECT.  All I have to do is HAVE FUN.  Repeating these affirmations made our 9 year old friend feel a little silly at first.  But, the laughter ultimately helped her.  Freed her up and when Allison checked on her, “Did you draw your nose?”, the response was “Yep!”

Here is an example of the self-portraits students in Expressive Arts made on the first day.

In Drama, we are creating our own play that takes place in Cordonices Park in Berkeley.  We chose the location on the first day when I asked the kids to share all of their favorite places to go in the towns that we were born and live (Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco).  We acted out a bunch of the places on the list and then left the choice to chance, picking a location blindly.  Because we are exploring life before we were born, I did a little research about Cordonices Park and discovered that it came to life in the mid-1800’s, around the same time that Berkeley itself was incorporated, when folks were still mining for gold, and when the railroads were starting to be built.  I also found out that “cordonices” is from the Spanish for “quails.”  So, get ready for a crazy play that features a couple of talking quails that work for the mayor of Berkeley, both past and present, and some kids who, playing in the park, encounter a…zombie gold miner.  We’ll see what happens.

The 2010 Glitter & Razz Camp Season officially started today with the first day of our first camp – What’s Goin’ On with Kelly Takunda Orphan Martinez.  This is the camp’s 9th summer in existence, its 3rd summer at our Dramatic Play Space, and its very first summer as an official “Glitter & Razz Camp.”

Kelly Takunda Orphan Martinez

Here is what that means.  Kelly, who is a good friend of mine and Allison’s founded the camp 9 years ago and has been running it ever since.  When we met her a few years ago, we bonded about how difficult it is for an artist, who is a creative genius when it comes to making art with kids, to be an administrative genius in running her own camp.  Because Kelly is not in the camp business full time – she also leads her own band and teaches at Park Day School during the school year – she was often challenged by how to hold all of the pieces herself.  Fortunately, she had the best skill of all – enlisting the help of incredible parent and youth volunteers to help her make it all flourish.  She and her team built an amazing camp with an amazing following.  There are some youth interns working with the camp this summer who started as very young campers right from the very first year.

So, once we learned that our camps shared the same values around peace and community, it seemed like a slam dunk for Glitter & Razz to, first play host, and then ultimately take full responsibility for the administration of the camp.

And I do not regret it at all.  Today was proof that What’s Goin’ On is the perfect camp to kick off the 2010 season.  We are sold out at 30 kids ages 6-10.  The kids learned today that they will be exploring the theme of ancestors through music, dance, drama, and expressive arts.  Kelly led them in games, activities, and discussions about how we are more than just our physical presence, right here and right now.  We are also our mothers and fathers and grandparents and animals in nature…that we are connected to all beings, living and past.  It’s a pretty magical experience to witness a group of young children go from a game of Connect Four to a discussion about the interconnectedness of life.  I love my job.

To me, a quote from today that illustrates what interconnectedness means to a young child comes from Leah, age 10.  After the Kids Choice time of day, we cleaned up and were getting ready to go on our neighborhood walk.  We asked the kids if they had any celebrations (appreciations) for anyone who might have helped them during the clean up time.  Leah said:

“I don’t know everybody’s names but I just want to thank everyone who cleaned up because I don’t think I cleaned up as well as I should have and I appreciate how much everyone else helped out.”

Here’s a little glimpse of the super positive, connected energy from today.  This is a short video of the group coming back from their neighborhood walk.