By: Allyson Zamora
Redwood students never fail to entertain! Even with the newest changes to distance learning, student actors continue to overcome and succeed in keeping things entertaining. Drama classes at Redwood are very much in session; so what are they up to?
Students enrolled in a drama class usually start their day in a positive way. Mrs. Galvan, Redwood’s drama teacher and director, teaches drama 1, 2 and 3. Online learning causes students to be less social, so Mrs. Galvan has modified her way of teaching to help drama students get to know each other easier, “We usually start the day with a modified circle time…it has created a way for them to just talk to each other.” Not attending school has made things challenging, but Redwood can overcome it.
In all three drama classes, Galvan is determined to follow through with how Redwood students normally prepare for end of the year performances. Students in drama performances are getting ready to perform “One Acts” and these consist of students “writing scripts…casting and performing.” Each drama class will have their own recorded performance, and we can look forward to seeing this by May. This show is free for all to see.
Although drama has been busy preparing for the “One Acts,” the musical, and having already successfully performing the fall play, student actors have been focusing on different subjects depending on the drama class.
Students in drama 1 begin learning “how to become a character” while also studying “types of drama.” Student actors in drama 2 have learned “sound effects” and “lighting” while drama 3 and 4 has focused on “an entire design unit on In The Heights.”
Galvan admits that this school year has been difficult due to the pandemic, but stays determined to “create that same atmosphere of trust and being able to be comfortable in the room, without the room.” Galvan and student actors look forward to hopefully “come back and at least have the advanced drama students perform in the theater.”
Redwood drama classes are doing their best to create entertainment and overcome any challenge that comes with distance learning.
Staying positive with Galvan’s determination and the charisma of student actors, look forward to seeing some more impressive performances like every year at Redwood!
Allyson Zamora
Allyson ('22) is a senior and this is her third year writing with the Gigantea. Writing has always been a strong passion for her, and she enjoys writing and editing for arts and entertainment. Outside of the Gigantea, she is involved in hip hop dance, and enjoys performing in Redwood’s plays and musicals. She looks forward to a career in law. You can reach her by email at allys.za8185@vusd.us
Thank you for covering Drama at Redwood during this time. It nice to know what they’ve been up to. To make it stronger, you could maybe add some interviews from some Drama students to have their perspective included, but other than that, great story!