What I have done this summer and Where the program needs to go:
What has happened this summer?
1) Each student received a basic understanding of the Promethean Spark dance methodology through weekly classes.
2) Through the audition process the after school Life Dance Troupe was established.
3) Rules were established, developed by the group. These rules include the following:
- First stand in line feet together and quiet.
- When someone is speaking, no one else speaks.
- Be Respectful and kind to each other.
- We don’t stop or give up!
- Patience even when something is hard.
- It is ok to ask questions.
- Our focus is the dance.
- Be on time.
- Ask and wait for an answer before you touch someone.
- Have FUN!
4) Organization of Dance costumes, including the Promethean Spark Dance
T-shirts that may be used for dance performance on campus.
5) Purchasing of Sound equipment for the troupe. Including:
- White Boom box with CD, tape and Radio functions
- Altec portable I-Pod speakers
- Large 3 piece Altec speakers
- 8 GB I-Pod Nano with a variety of approved warm up and dance music in both English and Tamil
6) Choreographing and setting two different dances on the Life Dance Troupe
7) With the help of Daphe Interviewed and recorded the stories of the 13 members of the Life Dance Troupe
8) The school dance program for the July 10th New Dinning Block Dedication. The student performed for an audience of just over 500 hundered individuals. Many of their parents and other coming to visit from the variouse leprosy colonies along with dignitaries from around the world.
9) A demonstration of the Promethean Spark Dance exercises during a special school assembly held on August 13th.
Where we need to go:
1) Hold auditions at the beginning of each Dance term at Rising Star. (A dance term will last for a three-month period.) The Life Dance Troupe is an honor for students who show initiative in both their schoolwork and on the dance floor, a positive attitude, a willingness to work hard, and an enthusiasm to learn. However, this troupe should not be exclusive. All students should feel welcome and students who were not able to be a part of the Life Dance Troupe the dance semester before should be given the opportunity for a new and coming semester.
2) Continue the development of the touring show.
3) Start teaching the students dance numbers and songs that will be used in this touring show.
4) Develop a touring schedule and coordinate drivers, and parent waivers with Padma, Steele and Sarah, Maran, Manjula and Celina.
5) Oversee the building of the risers for the touring show.
Keeping the Life Dance Troupe going during the Interum
The Life Dance Program should not die between the transition of the Promethean Spark dance instructors. In order for the after school program to continue during the interim the following steps have been put into place:
1) Two leaders, Joseph Stalin and Graci M., have been selected to help run rehearsals twice a week.
2) Rehearsals will take place twice a week on Monday and Thursday between 4:30-5:45 p.m.
3) There is a specific outline for the troupe rehearsals and I have assigned members of the troupe to help lead the warm up. (See attached dance rehearsal checklist.)
4) Joseph should fill out this checklist on Monday and Graci should fill it out on Thursday.
5) Friday morning during Interim at 10:30 Joseph and Graci will be required to meet with Manjula and turn in the rehearsal reports and let here know how rehearsals are going, report if a member is consistently receiving in-to marks etc.
The Life Dance Troupe is a privilege and if their school work, attendance and attitudes are not in line they will be asked to take a break from the troupe for the month of September in order to focus on their schooling. If their becomes an issue with one of the students in the Troupe it will be up to the discretion of Manjula, Celina, Steele and Sarah to determine whether or not they will have the opportunity to continue attending rehearsals. When the new Dance Master arrives at the beginning of October the students behavior will be re-evaluated and the decision to let the child join in the troupe again will be determined.
