Drama Teacher
  "I tell you I can feel them!  They're all around us!  Young people!  Getting closer and closer!"
                      ---- Hamilton cartoon caption

WHY TEACH THEATRE
IN OUR SCHOOLS?

Theatre is a science.
Theatre is mathematical.
Theatre is a foreign language.
Theatre is history.
Theatre is physical education.
Theatre is language arts.
Theatre is art.
Theatre is business.
Theatre is technology.
Theatre is economics.

Theatre is taught in schools
Not because one is expected to major in theatre,
Not because one is expected to perform
all through life,
Not so one can relax,
Not so one can have fun.



But so one will recognize beauty.
So one will be sensitive.
So one will be closer to an infinite
beyond this world.
So one will have more love,
More compassion,
More gentleness,
More good.
In short, more life.

Of what value will it be to make a prosperous living
Unless you know how to live?

That is why theatre is taught in our schools.



 



The Psycho House - Universal Studios


Lip Sync done in the style of the singer


"Nightmare on Brookhurst Street"


King Kong Renaissance Assembly


     Brokeback
Mountain parody

 

 


THE MONOLOGUE SHOW 2006
 
Since the arrival of acting teacher Autumn Browne, The Brookhurst Junior High School Drama Department has tripled in size to over 230 students!  Productions are presented every school month and include assemblies, after-school and evening performances, and all-day shows supporting various academic departments (“The Diary of Anne Frank” and "Images of the Holocaust" for English; “Melissa's Story”, a play about sex and teen pregnancy for Science and Physical Education; “Wake Up Wink” for History, etc.)  Past highlights have included “Austin Lands In Oz”, and "Sprite", original works by Southern California playwrights.

Drama students have written and performed skits on KOCE-TV and OCN, gone ‘on the road’ to nearby elementary and junior high schools, been accepted at the Orange County Performing Arts High School, appeared in local community theater productions, and been featured in the Los Angeles Times.  Young actors participate in the Disneyland Creativity Challenge, Camp Fire Boys and Girls “Teen Scenes”, Anaheim Public Library Reader’s Program, AUHSD Summer Arts Institute, the UCI ArtsBridge program, and have received scholarships from the South Coast Repertory Neighborhood Conservatory program.

Increased confidence, imagination and stage presence are goals of drama teacher Autumn Browne, a successful actress and award winning director, now in her tenth year of teaching in the public school.  Students are on the classroom stage performing theater games, improvisations, scripts and original material.  Teaching units include the study of TV Commercials, Animation, Building a Character, Scene Study and Acting For The Camera.  The Brookhurst Music and Art Departments provide musical accompaniment and set decoration.  Parents participate in costume preparation and chaperone duties.  

Guest speakers include actors, playwrights, producers, directors, set designers and make-up artists for real life career exploration.  Quarterly field trips to Hollywood TV tapings provide the opportunity to see firsthand all facets of production, from grip to star.  Four trips to New York gave participants a chance at ‘on location’ filming as they shot an original screenplay in the Big Apple.

For the past four years Ms. Browne has taken students on a three-day weekend in Hollywood. Activities included theatrical productions followed by Q&A with the actors, improvisation, mime, and stage combat classes, V.I.P. tours of Universal Studios and Warner Brothers, the Magic Castle, and walking tours of historic Hollywood Boulevard. Accommodations were provided by The Beverly Garland Holiday Inn. Two award winning videos have been made on these trips - a music video and the Brookhurst version of "Hollywood Survivor".

 The Brookhurst Drama Department provides an unusual opportunity to for teen actors to develop and showcase their creative talents!  

 
a pie for the teacher... and students!

THIS REST OF THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
CHECK BACK SOON TO SEE PHOTOS FROM THE PAST TEN YEARS! 
 

Fractured Fairy Tales
December 2006


Goldilocks and the Three Bears Rap


The Boars -- I mean, The Three Little Pigs


Ungrateful Dorothy of Oz
(this actress was voted Most Valuable by the members of the cast!)


Boy Crazy Miss Muffett


Exhausted Crew!
   
   
   

 

 

 

 

Signed script from "What I Like About You"  TV Taping

"The Bard of Brookhurst" December 2003


on location at the Music Center in Los Angeles
 drama trip 2004

 "The Last Gladiator" March 2004
Hollywood Here We Come 2005!  
 

 

        

Halloween 2005

"Witching Hour"    "Madcap Monster Inn"           "The Stolen Pumpkins" 		 

HOLIDAY SHOW 2005		  

       

"A Boston Tale" with guest actor David Gold		 Young Ebenezer and his sister Fan in "A Christmas Carol"  

 

Cheerleading skit at
the Renaissance Assembly


Students select the Most Valuable Cast/Crew member for each show

  


With luck, a write-in vote will result in my name being called!


Sound and Lights add the finishing touch
"This Is A Test"~a nightmare come to life about taking the biggest test of your life... Everyone else is cheating but you! 		 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

  
       
         
         
         

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