Todd Fourth Graders Write Plays For Arc Stages' Playwriting Program

Press release from the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District:

Social-Emotional Learning happens every day at Todd Elementary School. Sometimes it even happens when you least notice it.

Recently, Todd fourth grader, Colin Rynne, wrote a play in class which ended up being performed through Arc Stages’ Visions and Voices Playwriting Program.

Created to promote literacy, writing skills, and a love for the theater, the program introduces students to the world of the stage and self-expression with the ultimate goal of inspiring students to write plays.

As part of the program, which began in the fall, the entire fourth grade at Todd School visited Arc Stages’ studios to watch plays performed. Next, Arc Stage’s facilitators visited the students at Todd to inspire and help them write their own plays. Arc Stages professionals then came for a final visit to guide the students through the revising and editing process. Finally, students submitted their plays to Arc Stages in the hopes of being selected.

Five plays written by Todd students were selected and the entire grade was invited to watch the plays performed on stage by professional actors. Colin’s story, “The Spaghetti Catastrophe,” was one of those plays selected.

“I kind of forgot about my play, so when my mom got an email the night before the show that it was chosen to be performed I was really surprised,” he said. “I was not expecting it. I just thought ‘Oh, wow!’”

According to Colin, watching the five actors perform his play was amusing.

“I liked seeing how the actors acted in it,” he said.

“The story is about a girl named Jill who accidentally spills her spaghetti on her nemesis, Lex, who tells her that she is being mean. Jill talks to her friends about this and is kind of happy that Lexi doesn’t like her. Her friends high-five each other, but then another friend, Bill, tells Jill that it’s a bad thing and that you should be kind with everyone, and happy and peaceful. He tries to teach her a lesson,” Colin said.

According to Colin, his inspiration to write the story was “true things.”

“I thought of things that were true, like spaghetti spilling on another person – this is something that has happened before,” he said. “Also, sometimes you just feel angry at someone – this also happens. So in the story, I wanted there to be another person who can say, ‘It’s ok, just take a moment to relax.’”

After the performance, there was an awards ceremony and all students who submitted plays received participation certificates.

“I think my mom and dad were proud that my play was chosen,” Colin said.

“The program was a positive and inspiring experience for our fourth graders,” said Colin’s teacher, Melissa Magliulo.

Congratulations to the five Todd students who had their plays performed:  

· The Spaghetti Catastrophe by Colin Rynne

· Once Upon a Camelot by Maisie Bellber

· The French Fight by Augusta Woody

· Crab and Turtle by Luke Stanton

· Scary Monster by Adam Rossman

Thank you to the PTA for sponsoring the program.

This press release was produced by the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.