Middle School Original Play “Everafter” Turns Fairy Tales Upside Down
The Country School Middle School play, “Everafter,” was not a typical princess story. In this modern tale conceived, produced and performed almost entirely by Middle School drama students, the princes are captured and it’s up to the princesses to rescue them. (View the photo slideshow)
Twenty-three fifth and sixth graders worked feverishly for 10 weeks to stage their production. Every year, Middle School students put on a play of their choice. In previous years, students based their plays of popular books like “Wonder” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” This go around, they wanted to do something completely original. “We wanted to be truly creative,” said 6th grader Georgia Rivero who played the princess Belle from Beauty & the Beast.
“We wanted to do something different – something with a tea party and Disney princesses, but that had a Freaky Friday twist,” said Georgia.
They had to work together to brainstorm the plot and choose the music. When they couldn’t agree on a plot twist, they voted. “Coming up with the story was the hardest part of the process,” said Georgia. “Everyone had a different idea at first. We had to get to a place where everyone was happy.”
In addition to considerable collaboration, the students needed to be flexible. “The play was constantly evolving,” said 6th grader Deyante McKinstry who played Prince Philip of Sleeping Beauty. “The story changed a lot from the beginning. We would change lines and jokes during rehearsals.” The evil prince snatchers didn’t even enter the story until halfway through the writing process.
“It was hard for me at first,” said Deyante who was the Assistant Director. “I usually like to be in control of everything. I had to let go.”
The students choreographed their dances and chose the songs, incorporating musical instruments into the storyline as their characters played the piano, saxophone and trumpet.
“Their support for each other was incredible, “ said fifth-grade apprentice teacher Jeannette Leopold who supervised the production. Her key role was to make sure that everyone’s ideas were heard and that everyone was included. “Other than that, it was all theirs.”
Photo Credit: Shiva Sarram and Fraser Randolph
Photo Credit: Shiva Sarram and Fraser Randolph
New Canaan Country School
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.
