Aulander, post 3

This post is from Dia Dearstyne (pictured as the yellow guard robot in Peril on the Red Planet). Dia is a graduate of the UNCSA School of Dance and a first year Open Dream Ensemble member. She is currently working diligently to learn the role of Diana in Peril which she will take over on November 2. -- But more on that in a later post.... For now, here is the most recent news from Aulander Elementary School in Bertie County, NC.

Right now, Peter and I are hanging out in the teacher's lounge of Aulander Elementary School in Bertie county, getting prepared for our last day's work. We just finished creating the costumes that go along with the most original machine we've helped build to date. The "Graduate from College Machine"! It's amazing how far a little construction paper, tape, and imagination can go.

This school is the smallest we've worked with in Residency this season and it's really been a treat. Not only is it slightly easier to manage a classroom of 14 vs. the 27 we've encountered at other schools, but it allows us as teaching artists to really connect on a different level. And at a school like Aulander where "Dream Machines" and "Peril on the Red Planet" are the first live theatre they've ever seen, that connection is really important.

This school has a really lovely set of teachers and staff. Included in that is their AWESOME dance teacher. Mrs. Joy Fipps is such a sweet little ball of energy and has gone out of her way to make sure the ODE cast has everything they need. She has even made us coffee every morning! (Thank you!!!!)

I know my ODE family and I have learned a lot this week from our experience here and I'm looking forward to seeing the debut performances of the students of Aulander Elementary School this afternoon!