Artistic and Educational Philosophy

 

ARTISTIC AND EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY:
The plays we produce are written to be ideal for children performers.  Our work is undergirded by the ground-breaking approach called B.I.P.L.O.F.  BIPLOF is a radical approach to sharing theatre performance with young students by upholding six mantras:

• Brevity - You likely won't see us mounting a George Bernard Shaw production anytime soon (That's the ominous man to the right). We use manuscripts that are carefully crafted to allow for a full-scale production in a limited production period.  

• Inclusivity - A Greek-style "chorus" is used in most productions to give newer or more reticent students an opportunity to act in a group. Students don't feel as conspicuous but get ample stage time and lots of lines.  Choral reading also helps students in these roles memorize lines more easily.

• Positivity - In our productions, characters experience a problem and solve it. Sometimes the characters make good decisions and some times they don't.  We use the manuscript to open up conversations with students about wrong and right.  These lessons become "character-driven" messages on morality.

• Language.  We try hard to introduce language that our students probably don't use very often. During rehearsals, students will hear these words repeatedly.  It's a great way to expand our students' vocabulary.  

• Openness - Since we own the rights to our children's manuscripts, we aren't restricted in the use of videos or photographs.  Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras and record the outstanding performances of their children to make lasting memories.

• Fun - Comedies are a celebration of life and create a more supportive, fun environment for the students.