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Youth Programs

Creative genius blossoms among children at Sullivan Apartments

Creative genius blossoms among children at Sullivan Apartments

In the beginning, there were costumes.

Next came brainstorming, and then the storytelling.

What came out of those creative exercises in the after-school program at Springfield Housing Authority’s John I. Sullivan Apartments is a homespun theatrical production called ‘Trouble in Mother Goose Land,’ featuring characters as compelling and varied as Mother Goose, Little Miss Muffin, the Queen of Hearts, Humpty Dumpty, three fairies, a sheriff and an FBI agent, among others.

The story line is a cliffhanger – Mother Goose wants to read a bedtime story to the three fairies, but she can’t find her book. A hunt ensues, aided by the sheriff and the FBI agent. The ending remains a guarded secret.

“We’re looking for a book, but that’s all I can say,” said Nelson Santiago Martinez, 7, who created a costume that turns him into a Chinese woman who helps in the quest.

Destiny Garcia, 6, plays the role of the Green Fairy in the production at Springfield Housing Authority's Sullivan Apartments.

Destiny Garcia, 6, plays the role of the Green Fairy in the production at Springfield Housing Authority’s Sullivan Apartments.

The production is guided by Karen Guillette, who works to infuse literacy into the after-school and summer programs at six SHA developments. Her work of late at Sullivan has been exciting and stimulating.

“On the most basic level it is a literacy activity that requires children not only to read but to perform their part,” noted Guillette.

“There are comprehension, skills, communication skills, new vocabulary, reading with expression, and paying attention to when it’s your part. But most of all, it’s fun and engaging. The children love to do things that their parents will watch and appreciate and the parents love to see their children having fun and ‘putting on a show’,” she added.

Indeed, the young actors showed marked enthusiasm for the project, and on a variety of levels.

“I’m the Chinese lady,” exclaimed Nelson. “We’re looking for a book that gets lost. We can’t find it. It’s fun.”

Dasany Lester, 10, said her original costume needed a bit of jazzing up, and when she added new bits and color to it, everyone agreed she looked the image of Mother Goose. Hence, the idea for a retake of the imaginary author of fairy tales and nursery rhymes.

Davyian Walker, 9, and Demarion Carter, 7, create the poster for the production of  'Trouble in Mother Goose Land' at Sullivan Apartments.

Davyian Walker, 9, and Demarion Carter, 7, create the poster for the production of ‘Trouble in Mother Goose Land’ at Sullivan Apartments.

“It’s fun,” she said. “It’s a play we made up ourselves. We get to put the costumes on and act out the play.”

Destiny Garcia, 6, landed a role as one of three young fairies, in her case the one with the green wings. Other fairies were winged in yellow and purple.

“I like this because it’s fun,” she said.

Nearby in the Community Room at Sullivan, Davyian Walker, 9, and Demarion Carter, 7, worked on a poster for the play. They agreed that the project is good work.

“We both like to color, so we wanted to do this,” said Davyian. “I want to be an artist.”

Guillette said the production had an instant appeal to the younger set. But as the planning and execution moved forward, many others joined in. One Sullivan 14-year-old, an avid video game player on most afternoons, began coming to the Community Room after school and now has a role in the play.

“The children range in age from kindergarten to 10th grade which makes it challenging in some ways and also makes it work well in other ways,” Guillette said.

Actors rehearsed their lines together on a recent afternoon at the after-school program at Sullivan Apartments.

Actors rehearsed their lines together on a recent afternoon at the after-school program at Sullivan Apartments.

She said she likes the diversity among ages, and finds the older participants frequently help out the younger set.

“It’s been great for everyone,” said Guillette, who has brought a variety of projects to all of  SHA’s after-school and summer programs. Among her work with the children includes art, poetry, and even a costumed and videotaped rendition of Dr. Seuss’ ‘Oh the Places You’ll Go.’

 

3674 days ago / Youth Programs
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