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June 26: PDF of Program
When: June 26 2019
6 PM - 8 PM, Ages 5+
Where: Cameron Field near the Skate House
(Across the street from The Baird - 5 Mead Street, South Orange, NJ 07079 )
Hope & Wonder Theater was at Art in the Park 6/12/19. Master Improv teacher Joe De Gise II plays “Boss” where the children make fun of the "Boss" behind his back and try not to get "fired" if caught. We will be back June 26th, same place 6-8. Come out and Improv with us.
Children learn to improvise in Hope & Wonder Theater’s Improv Workshop at Cameron Field. Come join us again 6/26/19 from 6 to 8pm.
The program from our event
Artistic Director Natalie Picoe (striped shirt) takes an Improv class.
The students at Cordero have a great time using their bodies, faces and voices to create characters.
We are teaching an Improv class at the Baird in South Orange, NJ Starts 9/27 4-5 PM for 8 Thursdays. (www.thebaird.org) Enrollment is going on now! Come to Spiotta Park on South Orange Ave. this Sunday 9/16/2018 1-5:30 for South Orange PlayDay if you have any questions. We’ll be out there all day doing improvs and answering questions.
Hope & Wonder theater classes went to Cordero Back to School Vendor night in Jersey City to answer questions about the upcoming Theater classes, with lead teacher Joe de Gise II.
During the Open Class the students enjoy the face, body and voice warm-ups.
HPMS students warm-up for Improv class
Students rehearse Coyote's Gift in the BUILDING A CHARACTER story theater class.
We had our final presentation at HPMS. The students performed their original version of Beauty and the Beast. Here they are enjoying their warm-up exercises.
H&WTC worked with Nimbus Dance works this summer on the original musical POP STAR. Students strut their stuff during final presentation.
H&WTC worked with Nimbus Dance works this summer. Children sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Joe De Gise II leads students in an interactive song at The EMBANKMENT SCHOOL, JERSEY CITY
Natalie, the artistic director of Hope & Wonder Theater Classes, took a workshop with Master Improvisation teacher Aretha Sills called Using Your Body to Get Out of the Head: A Physicality Clinic for Actors and Improvisers. A good time was had by all with lots of great improvising and physical theater games.
Teaching Artist Joe De Gise ii leads students through a warm-up in the Spring Hope & Wonder Theater Class at Hamilton Park Montesorri School.
The inspiration for Hope and Wonder Theater classes came to me after reading the classic Doctor Seuss Story, Solla Sollew to my son. Solla Sollew is believed to be a place of hope and wonder, where “breezes are warm and people are kind.” It is the dream of the characters to find this incredible place where they will find each other and be happy once and for all. We believe that childhood itself is like this magical place. Children are naturally playful, curious, and empathic and we want to help to expand these qualities.
When I was a small child, I got bit by the theater bug when I had to tag along with my sister to a rehearsal of Fiddler on the Roof. I played the dog, a character created by the very kind director who saw that I needed something to do night after night. In time I memorized the whole play and was able to give the other actors their lines when they forgot them.
Fast forward to High School when Mr. Thigpen, our theater teacher thrust a monologue in my hand from Spoon River, by Edgar Lee Masters and I was hooked.
It is our goal at Hope and Wonder Theater Classes for children to gain confidence and a sense of hope and wonder about their world and to create a spark however, big or small, in each child for the theater arts.
- Natalie
Our artistic director Natalie attended a Story Theater Intensive with the legendary teacher Carol Sills, and other luminaries of Story Theater in August 2016 at The Farm, in Bailey's Harbor, Wisconsin. A great deal of fun was had by all adapting "The Storyteller at Fault," a Celtic tale. Hope & Wonder Theater is looking forward to adapting the techniques learned at this powerful workshop.