Designers are adding their finishing touches to their projects in preparation for the Expo! Students who are ahead of the game are offering their peers help with projects, “If anyone needs help with cutting, I know what to do!” -M.F.W. 

This morning, the Stage Crew explored new, more complex ways that we can color and decorate projects using Zentangle! Zentangle is a drawing style that is often used as a calm-down technique for social-emotional learning. It uses simple, repetitive patterns to create designs that look very intricate and complex. Keep an eye out for their Zentangle drawings at Friday’s expo!

For morning project work the designers were tasked with finishing up the projects for their productions, completing their free design or working on the group theater.  

To finish the group theater, the designers needed to measure and cut the final support. They then tested it to ensure that it was the correct length, applied plumbers tape to secure the connections, raised the theater and got to work getting the curtain ready. When applying the curtain to the theater, the designers realized the curtain wasn't long enough. The team problem solved and decided they could add fabric to the top using safety pins versus sewing it together. Boy did those safety pins work their fine motor skills as well as prick their fingers a few times.

Tomorrow the group tackles making a pulley system so the curtains can open and close. 

In the afternoon, Stage Crew explored what foley means and how they can use it in the show. Foley is the reproduction of everyday sound effects that are added to films, videos, and other media. The designers tested out what sounds different materials make. Who knew plastic bowls can sound like galloping horses? 

The Acting Architects are putting the final touches on all our designs! Some designers reevaluated their circuitry and found ways to make the connection more secure. Others finished painting and assembling their puppets.

Together the designers brainstormed ways to make the room an immersive experience for all who enter. How do we transport our friends and family to a thick forest, a sunset over majestic plains, a popular talk show, and a high energy concert - all within the same room?

 Designers braved the heat for recess. Luckily, their water bottles were full and the breeze was blowing in from the Charles.

 When they got back we continued our larger set pieces. They painted night skies and cut out trees and leaves to make our classroom a more immersive experience.

This morning, the designers had the opportunity to create the backdrops for their show! They used markers and giant paper to create a forest and a bridge from their story of Pride the Lion. There were also opportunities for students to express their creativity with other materials such as blocks, legos, and magnet tiles. 

This afternoon, students were finishing up all of their previous projects. Each table had a different project. One table was for working on masks, one was for the theaters and another for the cardboard cutouts. Students had the choice of which they would like to work on. The designers had some help from our friends in the Guinea Fowl program. They loved getting to connect with older friends!

Did you know that you can use PVC pipe to create a theater? Just ask a member of the Stage Crew! After checking in with our CIT, A.V., the designers learned that the original iteration of the Theater was not stable. A.V. studied the first version and suggested we use triangles to support the base. 

To modify the first iteration, the designer indicated that they need to cut down the vertical supports so they balanced with the width. Using a tape measurer, they got to work measuring out a 5ft length which then needed to be cut down into two sections, 1 - 3ft length and 1 - 2ft length. After marking their cut lines, the designers headed to the work shop. The first stop in the workshop, tool and personal safety. To protect their eyes, the designers applied their safety glasses. 

We then talked through safety gloves and which hand you use to cut versus which hand wears the glove. To ensure the designers have a good grip on their tool and can protect the hand not cutting, they put the glove on their none dominant hand. Next, they were introduced to the tools and the importance of using the right tool for the job not necessarily the biggest tool. 

Tomorrow, the designers will finish the base and then explore pulleys to create a curtain that can open and close. 

In the afternoon, the designers have been making patches to put them on the curtain. The curtain will be cut down the middle so they needed to make sure none of their patches go in the middle. The group put a ruler down the middle to reserve the space. Designers had the choice to attach the patches with glue or sew them on. For those who chose to attached with glue, they used a popsicle stick to apply it on the patches.

"In total, I did 14 patches!" - S.K.

In the morning, the designers learned about Immersive Theater, an performative experience that breaks the 4th wall and often includes or relies on audience participation. This can include everything from haunted houses to magic shows to street performance. For examples we looked at Theater of the Oppressed’s Invisible Theater, the parades and pageantry of Bread and Puppetry, and the sets in old schools and warehouses of Punchdrunk Theater. We discussed how our theater can be used to educate, engage, and organize communities.

 The toy theaters are spectacular but also small. The designers were tasked with creating a larger set design to fill the space and immerse our families and friends in our creations. M.F.W. made a giant globe to hang above his set and a colorful helmet. F.W. worked on a lion hat while L.G. started sketches for an electric guitar. It might be hot outside but luckily their designs are super cool.

Students are challenged to build a bridge that stretches from one table to the next, is strong enough to hold blocks, and safe enough for Pride the Lion and a toy car to cross. The designers were given popsicle sticks and tape to make their stable structures. If it didn't work the first time, they tried something new like making it thicker or wider. A.S.K. "We added more tape and popsicle sticks."

In the afternoon, students made sketches of the costumes they plan to create. The costumes will be individual designs using a combination of the clothing item they picked out at the Garment District and the materials we have here at Advent. 

After finishing their sketches, designers began making their costumes!

E.B. "This is for the mom."

S.K. "I’m making white shoes out of paper."

S.A.M - "I’m making a soft cozy bag that can roll up… for the future."

The designers started to construct a theater out of PVC pipes. They sawed each piece to fit and had to brainstorm ways to make the structure more secure. It's a work in progress!

“We had to use the plumbers tape to make the fit of the pipes tight” - M.F.W.

“Some of the clamps were not fitting. We got different models of the clamp and it was easier to use” F.W.