On the Road with Taproot Theatre

By Laura Bannister

There's something about having a disaster/adventure on the way to one of our shows that makes doing the show seem even more meaningful.

Whether it's along the lines of the flat tire we had the other week, or having to leap around puddles in the pouring rain to open a gate, or finding ourselves in a gravel manufacturing lot instead of the school we hoped to find, it is so satisfying to finally perform at those schools! We have never missed a show this year (many of my favorites are the ones we almost missed).

Getting stuck in the snow last Monday was one of these days. Nearly all the schools in and around Seattle were canceled for the day, but our show was up in Ferndale where school was still happening. Four of us were able to get to the theatre in the snow, but Alicia's apartment is in one of the areas that got the most snow and she couldn't make it down to Greenwood. So we headed off to pick her up. Solomon drove, because it seemed wise to have the person from Iowa drive rather than have one of the Washingtonians or the Virginian (me) tackle the snow.

Alicia walked from her house towards the interstate, but when we picked her up and went to turn the van around, we got stuck in the snow. None of us had ever put chains on tires before. Now we know how. The snow was still coming down as we deciphered the pseudo-English instructions for using the chains and wrestled them on the tires. The windshield also picked this day to crack. This proceeded to spread during the day to a giant squiggle nearly spanning the entire windshield.

It was impossible to do our show at the scheduled time, but Adrienne talked with our contact at the school and rescheduled for after lunch.

So we trekked on up towards Ferndale, but realized that we had two extra hours. We wandered about in the mall in Bellingham to stay warm and occupied, then arrived in Ferndale to perform Camp Super Friend.

The kids were very engaged and vocal that day (I always love the suggestions they shout to us during the shows). And it was delightful to know that we had made it through all that snow to their school.

After the show, one of the little girls came up to Solomon and asked him about his speed reading super power. She couldn't quite figure out what was real and what was pretend. Solomon explained how he flips the pages and moves his eyes and pretends to have read the entire book during the sound cue. Finally it dawned on her how this could be possible. She said, "so, the sound is real, but you can't really read books that fast?" I love that the magic of theatre is heightened for the littlest kids.

Labels: bullying, bulying prevention, touring shows, travel

1. After we packed up the van to return back home to Taproot, Adrienne and Alicia headed to the office to purchase school t-shirts. While Daniel, Laura and I stood behind the school next to the van a young lady walked up to me.
"Hey. I go to school here and I just wanted to tell you that I think you guys made a big difference today."
"Thank you" I replied.
"Bullying is a big thing here. I see it everyday. What you guys did today is good for our school. I just wanted to tell you."

2. As I walked to the gym to perform Witness an eighth-grader stopped me and asked what we were going to do for the assembly.
"We're going to do a play about issues at your school."
"Oh, like bullying and stuff?"
"Yeah, like bullying."
Bullying was the first issue that came to his mind. Perhaps he already knew what we were going to do but wanted to ask anyway. But maybe that really was the first thing that came to his mind.

Blessings,solomon

Labels: bullying, bullying prevention, touring shows

Last week we took a trip to Spokane, WA for four days. We even hopped over to Idaho too! It was a special trip for me in that we were able to visit parts of Washington that look a lot like where I grew up (i.e. farms, barns, rolling hills). I grew up in Iowa - so when we got lost and found ourselves facing nothing but a gravel road, an empty old barn, and corn fields - the driver was laughing and freaking out, but I was in the back seat with an elated smile.

After our performances we often conduct discussions with the audience. During a Camp Super Friend discussion I asked the students for examples of trusted adults that they could report to if someone was being bullied. One kid raised his hand and answered frankly "A magician."
I was caught a bit off-guard by his response and almost denied him until I realized I was - standing right before him - dressed as a magician "Ah yeah, you could report to a magician - if you know one that you trust. Anyone else?" Holding in laughter.
"Your parents!" another said.
"Yes. Yes. Yes. you can certainly report bullying behavior to your parents. Or your teachers. Or the principle. Very good."

-Solomon

Labels: bullying, Idaho, Spokane

by Laura Bannister

It was our first time performing four times in one day. Our day began with a misty morning and a beautiful sunrise on the drive to the first school. We performed Camp Super Friend twice at Newport Heights in the morning, and Star Power twice at MarVista in the afternoon.

It was rather fun to do Star Power, as we haven't done that show much lately. I was particularly facinated by the differences in our two performances. We had an audience of younger students for the first show, and the older kids for the second. Both were good audiences and it was clear by their responces during the talkback that they were listening. I'm pretty sure that they were the youngest and oldest groups that we've had for Star Power. The second show certainly had an older feel than the first, and it was exciting to see how subtle changes in mood can adapt the show to these different groups of kids.

When we talked to the principle she told us that we were coming at a very apt time, because their school has just recently been dealing with bullying problems on one of the sports teams. The older audience got really quiet when the principle reminded them of this after the show. It's exciting to know that all these kids were cheering for Kamea when she wins in the end.

Labels: bullying, bullying prevention

On October 20, the Road Company will perform "Star Power" and "Camp Super Friend" at the Greenwood Library for Seattle's Live Theatre Week Family Day.



You are invited to join us for this fun, free event. "Star Power" will be performed at 11:00 AM and "Camp Super Friend" at 1:00 PM.



Find the Greenwood Library



More about Live Theatre Week

Labels: bullying, performances, theatre