A Broadway Books First Class Visit From Aaron Mark

Playwright/Director Aaron Mark surrounded by his Pre-K and Second Grade fans

"SQUEAMISH, SQUEAMISH, SQUEAMISH..."

Setting the stage: Imagine 30 children chanting SQUEAMISH as Alison Fraser settled into her chair for her Broadway Books First Class guest artist visit last month.  The Pre-K and Second Grade students were eager to hear all about her latest theatrical triumph - Alison is currently nominated for several awards recognizing her work, including the Outer Critics Circle Award - in Aaron Mark's one-person horror play SQUEAMISH. During her visit Alison walked them through the overarching themes of the show in child-friendly terms, topping it off with "You actually can have too much of a good thing".

The little ones were fascinated and throughout the conversation brought Alison back to the dark, frightening, exhilarating, heart-pounding mystery evoked by the bloody handprint shown on the poster. She masterfully led the discussion, spending over 10 minutes on the ideas presented in SQUEAMISH.

Children have a desire to be safely scared. They want to push the boundaries, face their fears and know it'll all turn out okay in the end.  We all do. Well, except me.  I lose my shit in a haunted house but even I realize the benefits of fear.

After Alison's visit they still wanted to talk about the show.  They drew SQUEAMISH-inspired pictures and came up with some of their own eye-popping stories. So, I was over the moon when Alison introduced me to Aaron Mark on Opening Night of CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD.  At the after party I talked with Aaron about the children's reaction to his play and he was intrigued. I extended an invitation to him to come and talk to them about his work. He accepted on the spot!

Snip! Snap! Snip!
Aaron Mark reading THE STORY OF LITTLE SUCK-A-THUMB with ASL interpreter Stephanie Feyne

We decided it would be too challenging to find an appropriate snippet from one of his plays to read aloud so we found the next best thing. He would read three German cautionary tales - THE STORY OF LITTLE SUCK-A-THUMB, THE DREADFUL STORY ABOUT HARRIET AND THE MATCHES and THE STORY OF AUGUSTUS WHO WOULD NOT HAVE ANY SOUP - from STRUWWELPETER (Shockheaded Peter). The second graders were already familiar with suck-a-thumb and the great tall tailor so I knew they could handle them (it turns out they thought the stories were either funny or terribly sad).  After Aaron's reading of poor Harriet (who is reduced to ashes after playing with matches) we had to take a break for a fire drill.  Coincidence?

I couldn't wait to go back to school to tell the young horror show fans that AARON MARK himself was coming to visit them. And their reactions when I did? A gasp, wide eyes, open-mouthed smiles and words of happy disbelief.  A week-long study of Aaron and his work followed as we prepared for his visit.

The children decided on three questions...
1.  How do you come up with your plays without scaring yourself?
2.  How many shows have you written and what was your favorite?
3.  When did you start directing and why?

Photo Credit: Eileen Lograno

Leo asks Aaron a follow-up question, "How do you know it's going to scare people"
Aaron answers, "I've been wrong sometimes." 

We were ready but I sensed that although the students were excited it was tinged with a bit of trepidation. Some children expressed that they thought he might be "creepy" or scary. The dark side of me wanted to tell him to arrive in costume and run into the room laughing BWAHAHAHAHA! But alas, he did not.

As a matter of fact, after he settled into his chair - as Alison did the month prior - we showed them a picture of Aaron in Second Grade. This was a genius move for who could be frightened by adorable little Aaron? The picture set the friendly tone, "He's just like us".  And off we went!

So, how does he come up with plays without scaring himself?  He doesn't! He writes about things that frighten him. After all, we are generally frightened by things we don't understand so facing them head-on is one way to take away their power over us. And when another student asked, "How do you know it's going to scare people?" Aaron said he sometimes gets it wrong. Things he thinks will make the audience cringe in fear is seen as hilariously funny OR something he thinks is funny and no big deal at all has the audience covering their eyes.

This led into a discussion of the writing process. A writer keeps writing, trying out different things, getting feedback from others, seeing what works and what doesn't work and learning from it all. This understanding is something we are trying to instill in our students. As Aaron said, "Writing is rewriting".

Next, Aaron talked a bit about his play EMPANADA LOCA. It was inspired by THE LEGEND OF SWEENEY TODD so once again he had to tread carefully.  Those who could read between the lines caught on to the ingredients of the empanadas but it went over the heads of most of the children (I think).  We even touched upon Greek Mythology with his play ANOTHER MEDEA. His fourth offering in the "scary one-person play" series is on the way!

Photo Credit: Eileen Lograno

A show of gratitude to Aaron Mark

We wrapped up the Q&A by talking a bit about his directing experience and discovering there were five people in the room who have a twin. We ended the visit, as always, with gifts. The children signed a copy of STRUWWELPETER for him and Aaron was the first recipient of a black Broadway Books First Class t-shirt.

Thank you Aaron for spending the morning with us (and for bringing Abby).  And thank you Alison Fraser for the introduction.

Welcoming Monica Wellington

I have my own version of superheroes. I enjoy Wonder Woman and Superman but they cannot hold a candle to the talented folks who write and illustrate children's books. So, it was a great thrill and honor to welcome children's book author and illustrator Monica Wellington into my classroom earlier this month.

Monica's books have been treasured additions to my classroom explorations over the years. It started with an inquiry-based, Reggio Emilia inspired study of bakeries when I taught kindergarten. Her book Mr. Cookie Baker was the perfect addition to our classroom library.

The wonderful book Crêpes by Suzette was a helpful resource when another kindergarten class was studying France. The book is now out-of-print but it lives on in a fantastic app that I've spent many, many hours enjoying with my great nephew. He's learned beaucoup French words and phrases from the app and is determined to visit Le Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris because of the videos embedded within the app.

I reached out to Monica Wellington many years ago and a visit has been in the works for quite a while. Happily, the stars finally aligned and we scheduled a visit with a few Pre-K classes as well as the First and Second graders. As spring was approaching she chose Zinnia's Flower Garden to read and discuss.

Monica Wellington reads her book Zinnia's Flower Garden alongside ASL interpreter Rick Rubin for the children in Pre-K 

She brought along a large bouquet of flowers for the children to make observational drawings. She walked the children through the process of writing a book, from idea to publication (a two year undertaking!). And she held an informative, fun Q&A.

There is more than one way to capture an image

Children also had an opportunity to take home autographed copies of Zinnia's Flower Garden and Apple Farmer Annie. Monica personalized each one with a sweet message and a drawing. She even contributed a big book version of her first children's book Who is Tapping at my Window? to our classroom library!

You can also read about Monica's visit (in her own words) by visiting her blog - click here.

Children of a Lesser God

I started this blog back in 2007 to provide a window into the life of an elementary school teacher and document my journey as an educator. At the time I had been team teaching with Lauren Ridloff for five years and stories of our time together populate many of those early posts.

Lauren was my team teacher for nine years - her whole teaching life. She left in 2011 to have her first child and focus on her family.

However, life moves in mysterious ways and on Friday night I went to see Lauren perform the lead role of Sarah Norman Leeds in the Broadway revival of Children of a Lesser God. Yes! Lauren is Broadway's newest leading lady and I see a Tony Award in her future. How amazing is that?!

Reunited with Lauren backstage at
Children of a Lesser God

The show has a wonderful cast. She is up there on the stage playing with her second work husband - I am her first - Joshua Jackson and a cast that includes Anthony Edwards, Kecia Lewis, John McGinty, Treshelle Edmond and Julee Cerda.

She is in very good company!

It feels very satisfying and familiar and amazing to watch her perform on that stage at Studio 54. There is nothing better than seeing good fortune and success come to those you love.

Lauren will step back into the classroom with me for Year Four of Broadway Books First Class (BBFC). Her cast mates Kecia Lewis and Treshelle Edmond are already part of the BBFC family and John McGinty will also join in Year Four.

PS347 teachers showing support for Lauren on the second night of previews for Children of a Lesser God

Children of a Lesser God opens on April 11, 2018 so be sure to get a ticket to watch Lauren soar.  I'll be back on Opening Night and many times afterwards. Color me proud.

A Broadway Books First Class Visit from Alison Fraser

🎼 🎶 Yes, it’s love! No doubt about it... 🎵
Two-time Tony Award nominee Alison Fraser visits with Pre-K and Second Grade

Two events occurred in recent days that, on the surface, seem unrelated but serve to deepen my understanding of development and purpose. The first was an extraordinary Broadway Books First Class guest artist visit by two-time Tony Award nominee Alison Fraser. The other was the passing of theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking.

Stephen Hawking argued that there is no God because time itself did not exist before the creation of the universe. This is due to the effects of the laws of nature upon the void created by an enormous black hole, which eventually exploded to set the universe on its infinite path of expansion. This leads to the question, "Without a creator (God), does life have meaning?" And to examine that question we can relate the vast complexities of the universe to our own incredible brains.

There are secrets in both that remain a mystery awaiting investigation but one thing seems certain - we've evolved. Humans have become metacognitive, i. e. self-aware and self-reflective. Those traits propel us forward and allow us to create our own meaning, our own purpose.

This trajectory of growth and forward momentum hit me as I engaged in a bit of reflection about Broadway Books First Class. The program continues to evolve and, more often than not, the changes are absolutely obvious. It feels like those old V8 commercials where the actors hit their heads and declare, "I could have had a V8!"  

A radiant Alison Fraser surrounded by artifacts from her illustrious career

Two such "staring me in the face" revelations came via Alison Fraser's visit. Alison was one of the very first performers to come onboard and from the start her involvement has been invaluable.

I've seen her perform in over a dozen shows (many more than once) including Romance/Romance, The Secret Garden, Gunmetal Blues, Gypsy, First Daughter Suite, The Divine Sister, A Charity Case, Love Therapy, Dedication or The Stuff of Dreams, Squeamish, A New York Romance at 54 Below, a staged reading of Red Scare on Sunset, and singing with the Greater Trenton Symphony Orchestra on New Year's Eve 2012.

The first "Aha Moment" sprung from my intent to remain conscious of inviting guest artists and selecting books that mirror the cultural and linguistic realities of my students. I thoughtfully work to ensure my students see themselves reflected in the books the guest artists read - and in the guest artists themselves - and realized that this objective could be strengthened and supported in a very simple, concrete way.

Alison Fraser beside her younger self

So, I asked Alison to share a picture of herself as a child with the students. That created an immediate connection and provided fruitful territory for discussion. Why hadn't I thought of that before? In seeing Alison as a child the mystery and awe of who she is strips away and the children see her as one of them. It is a fantastic way to start each visit and I hope it continues.

The second realization was something that has been part of every guest visit from the very beginning, only I hadn't fully realized how powerful it was until observing the students with Alison. That is not to say the guest artists missed the significance. The divine Charles Busch wrote in reference to the Q&A following the read aloud, "The more interesting part was the discussion afterwards".

An Inside the Actors Studio elementary school edition

The Pre-K and Second Grade children started asking Alison questions the minute she sat down. Their questions and Alison's answers gave me visions of an Inside the Actors Studio type interview program conducted by theatrically wise elementary school children. Each Broadway Books First Class visit is recorded and it would be brilliant to share a clip of the interaction so others could catch a glimpse into how fantastic it was.

We learned behind-the-scenes stories about Alison's audition for The Secret Garden (she even sang us her audition song!), we got the scoop on why she was in particular shows and how she felt about them, and even delved into a discussion about her latest triumph in the one-woman tour de force Squeamish.

Alison Fraser singing BIG ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN

All of this book-ending a reading and subsequent discussion of STRICTLY NO ELEPHANTS by Lisa Mantchev and Taeeun Yoo. It is a beautiful book about inclusion with illustrations I adore.

And to return to the question, "Does life have meaning?" I'll go with Stephen on this one. On a Tuesday morning, in a classroom in New York City a group of young children met with a generous, talented actress and proved to me that it does. How brilliant that I was there to witness it.

A Broadway Books First Class Visit From Devlin Elliott

"Peek-A-Boo, I see you!"

If you've ever played this game with an infant you know that the joy it creates is a gift that keeps on giving. There are smiles, giggles and squeals that are seemingly endless and endearingly contagious. And although this activity has more to do with the development of object permanence for the child than outward validation, there is something to be said for the mere joy of seeing and being seen.

The power of "I see you" should never be underestimated.

We are living in dangerous times with the continued escalation of gun violence permeating every corner of our society. Supplying teachers with firearms is a hot topic at the moment and debate is swirling around mental illness, crime prevention and gun control.

Questions arise about early detection and "why wasn't something done about so-and-so before this tragedy took place?" I certainly do not have answers to those kinds of questions and I do not want to engage in a political debate in this forum but I have been thinking about my place in all of this. As an educator, how can I do my part to ensure that children are nurtured, valued and seen?

That question has always concerned me and has become my mission. I wrote about those influences back in 2007 and how, as a child, I vowed to become an adult who respected, cared for and paid attention to children. In today's contentious climate where theories float around suggesting that gun-toting murderers might have taken another path if they were just loved, respected and SEEN as children, it gets me thinking.  Is there something to it? I think there is. So, I continue to do my part and I am keenly aware of others who do the same.

This is one of the reasons I was so thrilled to welcome Devlin Elliott back for the third time as a Broadway Books First Class guest artist. Devlin Elliott really sees children. It's evident in his interactions, which always come across as though the only thing on his schedule is sitting with a group of children (when, in fact, he is quite the busy fella).

In this case, it was a group of Pre-K and First Grade students. Devlin let them know during their introductions that he was an adult who was there to listen, to acknowledge and value them.

Devlin Elliott meets the Pre-K and First Grade students

His visit was the first time these first graders attended a Broadway Books First Class event this year. I prepared them beforehand by reading books and discussing the various roles/jobs associated with the stage. I wanted them to understand this particularly because although Devlin was an actor at one time, he is now a playwright and a Tony-nominated producer.

I also prepared them by rehearsing their introductions. The day before Devlin's visit each child took turns standing up and introducing themselves in American Sign Language (ASL) while I voiced. Rehearsals went off without a hitch but things tended to speed up considerably once Devlin entered the picture. Introductions were flying, with one child popping up before the previous child had a chance to sit.

This wouldn't be such an issue except the first graders were so focused on their role they weren't listening to Devlin's greeting back to them! We slowed things down a bit and let the children know he wanted to say hello back. So, rather than making the introductions something UNimportant (and therefore rushed), they became something important. They became a way to connect. A show of respect that set the tone for the rest of the visit.

Devlin Elliott reads NAUGHTY MABEL with ASL interpreter Amy Meckler

And once again I am struck by how each of us has the power to make choices. We may not have much power over circumstances but we do have power over how we choose to perceive them. We can consciously decide how we want to move through the world.

As Devlin read both of the books in the Naughty Mabel series I thought, "Naughty Mabel may be a handful but she is certainly seen - hard to miss even - and she is certainly loved".  A person (or dog) can graduate successfully from the school of hard knocks if they are both seen and loved.

There is a reason Naughty Mabel was voted the #1 favorite book by my first grade class for the 2015-2016 school year and #6 for the 2016-2017 school year.

Photo Credit: Eileen Lograno

Students take home autographed copies of both NAUGHTY MABEL and NAUGHTY MABEL SEES IT ALL courtesy of Simon & Schuster, Justin Chanda, Devlin Elliott and DonorsChoose

The visit proceeded the same as his previous visits, with the Q&A, a show of gratitude (we gave Devlin a Broadway Books First Class t-shirt), a group photo and a book signing. Devlin saw to it that each child received BOTH BOOKS, which is beyond the beyond fantastic.

There is a beautiful lyric from the show Once on this Island that seems a fitting way to wrap up this post because it speaks to how we interact with one another, the influence those interactions have on who we become and the power of our own word/actions in shaping our perspective...

"Our lives become the stories that we weave"