Homeschool Theatre Class Explores Playwriting and Puppetry

What is all the buzz about Wednesdays at Orlando Family Stage? It might be the incredible 4-foot praying mantis puppet, or perhaps our dynamic Homeschool theatre class. 

How about both?! Each Wednesday, Orlando Family Stage hosts performance and creative drama classes specifically for Central Florida Homeschool students! More about the praying mantis later…

What makes our homeschool class special?

Our homeschool program offers a theatre class each Fall and Spring session, featuring unique and engaging themes that change every term. Some sessions focus on scripted performance workshops, while others explore imaginative, themed creative drama classes. At the end of each session, students showcase their hard work in a presentation, allowing them to shine on stage and celebrate their achievements together!

Every session includes a variety of activities such as acting exercises, team-building theatre games, and improvisation, all grounded in the session’s theme and aligned with age-appropriate Florida State Standards for Theatre and Art. Many performance workshops feature intentionally unfinished scripts, giving students an exciting chance to step into the role of playwrights and devise their own endings! Technical aspects of theatre, such as sound and puppet building are often included, providing students with valuable hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the theatrical process.

This project-based learning approach works particularly well for our homeschooled students who are already accustomed to taking charge of their own learning. The open-ended stories and projects allow students to follow their curiosities, use critical thinking and problem-solving, and practice clear and confident communication. This skill set fosters collaboration and adaptability, helping them navigate challenges—like when Hurricane Milton interrupted this Fall’s session rehearsals! They still managed to finish their script, puppets, and staging just in time for their presentation to friends and family.

The icing on the cake? The chance to meet new people and forge lasting friendships. Being part of a theatrical production unites young people who share a love for creativity. This common interest helps students bond during rehearsals as they discover shared passions, form favorite movies to hobbies. The supportive atmosphere of a theatre class cultivates encouragement and camaraderie, making it easier for friendships to blossom based on trust and shared experiences.

What was that about a praying mantis puppet?

This Fall’s class, titled Are You Afraid of the Dark, pays homage to the beloved Nickelodeon series from the ’90s and its 2019 Paramount reboot. The class features an original script crafted by Nic Parks, the Director of MicheLee Puppets at Orlando Family Stage. Nic cleverly left the ending open-ended, inviting students to unleash their creativity and craft their own conclusion.

“When given the assignment to create a script based on the Are You Afraid of the Dark? series, I spent a couple of days watching the entire original series, picking out which stories felt most palatable for the stage. (The Tale of the Final Wish) allowed the students a highly imaginative story for the kids to devise the ending to,” Nic explained.

This is where our 4-foot tall praying mantis ‘monster’ makes its dramatic entrance! The original script instructed students that “a loud creature sound is heard; all react.” The nature of that sound was left entirely to the students’ imagination.

“Devising with young people is so intriguing because there is nothing limiting their imagination. We went into the process reminding (the students) that “no idea is a bad idea” in order to start off with a strong brainstorm session,” explained teacher Mia about the devising process. 

Teaching Artists Al and Mia charged the students to dream big and sketch their ideas for the “monster”. It was student Dexter’s praying mantis design that won the role! “When they described the sound of the monster to be a ‘buzzing’, a praying mantis just came to mind”, said Dexter. “It just felt like that’s what it should be. It looks way better than I expected!” The praying mantis puppet is operated by three students. 

In addition to the mantis, students imagined and designed blacklight puppets to visually enhance the narrative. Wren, for example, designed “Buff Piggy,” who would make a memorable appearance during the Three Little Pigs segment of the play.

What are blacklight puppets?

Nic not only wrote the script but also integrated his puppetry expertise by including a technical puppetry element into his original draft of the script. To create these unique ‘simple-rod’ puppets, students began with cardboard cutouts, applying a spray paint wash before adding intricate details with vibrant neon paints under Nic’s guidance and supervision. During the performance, the blacklight puppets emerge dramatically from behind pipe and drape, adding an enchanting visual element.

To elevate the experience even further, students painted in the dark, illuminated by specialized black lights, allowing their creations to truly come alive under the glow!

Nic chose blacklight puppets because, “the whole story takes place in the dark forest with the group huddled around a fire, with only the moon and flashlights as the source of light. It’s a spectacle piece that always astounds.” Student Annabelle commented, “I didn’t know blacklight puppetry was a thing, but now I think it’s so cool!” 

What is the next session’s theme? 

Registration for Spring classes is live! 

In early 2025, an eight-week performance workshop project, Diary of a Homeschool Kid will feature scenes and monologues completely devised and conceptualized by the students. The timing of the final presentation coincides with Orlando Family Stage’s professional production of, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Musical.

Later in March, students embark on a magical six-week journey in our creative drama class, Secrets from the Ministry of Magic. Here, they delve into the entrancing world of Britain’s magical governing body. Will you become an Auror or Curse-Breaker? You can practice spells, uphold magical law, and work together to protect the Ministry from moral corruption!

Who can attend? 

We are excited to welcome new students to our homeschool theatre program, where creativity flourishes and friendships are made! Students grades 3-8 (ages 8-14) in Central Florida are invited to participate. Classes currently run Wednesday mornings from 9:30am-12pm. Financial Aid is available and we also work with external scholarship and reimbursement programs such as the Step Up Scholarship. Whether your child is a budding actor or just curious about the world of theatre, there is a place for them here!