What is Page to Stage?
Page to stage is a collaborative literacy and performing arts program designed to immerse 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in writing, performance, and collaboration with their High School counterparts to fully realize how literary works transfer from the page to a staged performance. Students and teachers will learn from professional writers, Broadway actors/creative team members through workshops, professional development, and performances. All middle school students will take part in a grade level experience as outlined below. Page to Stage is funded, in part, by a generous grant from the Melrose Education Foundation. The program was founded by Steve Black, K-12 Director of Visual and Performing arts and Nora Tsoutsis, 6-12 Humanities Director.
6th Grade Page to Stage Experience - Roald Dahl and Matilda, Jr.
Sixth Grade Students will take part in a discussion and writing with author Jen Malone prior to attending a performance of the MVMMS Drama musical production of Matilda, Jr. The Matilda, Jr. cast members and technical crew will take part in a masterclass with a cast member of the original Broadway production of Matilda, Clay Rice Thomson.
7th Grade Page to Stage Experience - The Outsiders
Seventh Grade Students will take part in a discussion concerning transferring a work to the stage from literary source material, using The Outsiders as an example, prior to attending the MHS Production of The Outsiders. The Outsiders cast members and technical crew will take part in a masterclass, refining their work before competing in the MA High School Drama Festival. All work for the Outsiders will take place with Barton Coperthwaite, a cast member of the original Broadway production.
8th Grade Page to Stage Experience - Shakespeare
Eighth Grade Students will take part in a discussion concerning parallels between Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Middle and High School faculty members will engage in professional development concerning active methods of teaching Shakespeare.The High School cast of A Midsummer Night's Dream will engage in a workshop on effectively performing Shakespeare before performing for the 8th grade to show how Shakespeare gets from the page to the stage. All Shakespeare workshops and PD will be performed by Emily Thibideau, lead teaching artist from Actors Shakespeare Project.