What does it mean to see a “linguistic play”? On January 15, Silver Cluster students explored that question with Teaching Artists from New Victory Theatre, in anticipation of their visit to the theatre later in the month to see BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play. The workshop was a way to prepare students for the show by introducing them to the creator of the piece, her background, and offering a peek of the elements they would later experience during the performance.
The Teaching Artists started the workshop by gathering everyone in a circle and jumping straight into action, with a round of the hand-clapping game Concentration. The leader of the game would say a category, and each student would name an item in that category without repeating what another student said. This game introduced students to what they would be doing throughout the workshop by playing schoolyard games, also known as regional games.
After a few more rounds of hand-clapping games, the Teaching Artists shifted focus to explaining the elements within BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play, and their cultural significance. They explored different African-American social dances, spoke about the creator, Camille A. Brown, and asked students what they thought “linguistic play” meant. As New Victory explains it, “‘Linguistic Play’ in the show’s title refers to the playfulness of dance, gesture, rhythm and rhyme as a common language of Black girlhood, rather than a theatrical play.” Most notably, the show doesn’t feature much speaking.
After students understood what they would be seeing throughout the show, the Teaching Artists divided them into small groups. Each group rotated through four stations: hand games with Drama Specialist Meredith Akins; hopscotch; chalk drawing; and sharing games with fellow students. Students rotated through the stations in the PAC, giggling, competing, and cheering for each other as they played games, some of which they were learning for the very first time. These interactive experiences encouraged collaboration, creativity, and physical expression while highlighting how play can be a powerful form of storytelling.
When the time for playing ran out, students gathered in a circle once again to reflect on the stations they had just completed. They discussed what they felt while going through the activities, and how technology has affected the way that kids play in today’s world. One student noted that while you can still connect with others through online games, you won’t be physically in the room with them, and it can impact your relationship with each other. Schoolyard games are fun because you are physically with somebody, clapping your hands or tapping your feet, and feeling joy that’s not through a screen. The Teaching Artists were impressed with the Silver Cluster’s insight, and so were their teachers!
This year, the Silver Cluster drama curriculum has focused on movement-based exercises and ensemble-building theater games. This pre-show workshop with Teaching Artists from New Victory Theatre was a great experience for the students, by building on these themes while helping students develop a deeper understanding of performance as storytelling. And most importantly, it was fun!
BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play at the New Victory Theatre closed on February 1, but you can learn more about the show and watch the trailer here.
