In our previous holiday workshops, we’ve seen the likes of a magical pepperoni-making hat, a talent show hosted by villains in disguise, and even a delightful pool party where Pikachu learns to swim. How do such crazy, creative, and chaotic performances come to be?
Today I am giving you the behind-the-scenes details of how we create our holiday workshop performances:
Step One: CHARACTERS!
Every child is given time to create a character they want to be in the play. What would you like to be? We’ve had: cats, witches, blobs, axolotls, sticks, llamas, turtles, and even a soap container named Dove! There are no limits to what the child can choose to be.
Then we ask the tough questions. How would this character move around the room? What do they sound like? Do they like pineapple on their pizza? By the end of the week, the little humans have developed their characters so strongly that sometimes it is hard to tell if we are speaking to Samantha or The Flying Wolf Ballerina!
Step Two: THE PLOT!
At the holiday workshop, every idea is a good idea and everyone gets a say. Our Marrzipan teachers are just there to help along the way and to make sure everyone gets to add their own personal touch.
One child wants there to be a magical gem, another wants to be drinking a milkshake, and the last wants there to be a volcano. Well then, what if… after going to the beach to get a milkshake, our heroes discover the dastardly baddies have stolen a magical gem and are going to take it back to their secret hideout in a volcano to take over the world?!
Step Three: PRACTICE!
Over the 5 days at the workshop, we will practice our play a lot. You would think that this could get BOOOORIIIINGGGG! But, by letting the Marrzipaners decide every element of the performance, practice becomes a huge imaginative puzzle. Anytime a kid isn’t up on stage for one of the scenes, it’s time for them to take a seat in the director’s chair! How do you think we could do that scene even better next time? How can you give feedback to others in a supportive and kind way?
Step Four: PERFORMANCE TIME
Finally- the moment we’ve been waiting for. After a week of designing the characters, the plot, the set, the costumes… EVERYTHING! We finally get to perform for our family and friends!
Our next holiday workshop is coming up this January, I wonder if we can create a plot even crazier than our magical pepperoni-making hat?
If your little one has some big ideas, feel free to find out more about our Wellington Marrzipan Holiday Workshop here: https://enrolmy.com/marrzipan-wellington/activity/321-Marrzipan_Holiday_Workshop_Wellington_January
