School was out for Columbus Day and the library was in on Monday when about 75 area children attended three children’s drama workshops presented by Evanston Public Library.
The workshops were part of the fourth annual School’s Out at Your Library program, which provides free performances and workshops for grade-school children on school holidays.
“We believe in kids learning in fun ways, whether that’s reading or attending workshops,” said Janice Bojda, head of Children’s Services and the creator of the program. “People appreciate the opportunity to bring their kids to a program that they might not be able to get at school or anywhere else.”
Kidworks Touring Theatre Co. was hired by the library to present three 45-minute Intro to Drama workshops for the Monday event. A theater production company, Kidworks performs and presents resents workshops for schools and libraries.
Children from 4 to 12 years old participated in the workshops, led by Kidworks actor Tusiime Jackson. Jackson said his aim as a performer is to bring art back to the kids and to promote imagination and teamwork.
“Kids are the start of everything,” said Jackson, 31, who has been with Kidworks for five years. “If you can get kids to show peace and love around the world, they’ll grow up and show peace and love. The kids are open-minded — they don’t judge anybody, and you can relate to them.”
The sessions began with basic physical and vocal warm-ups before moving on to theater games. Children played “Follow the Leader” and acted out many scenarios, including an alien landing and a cops-and-robbers chase.
“It was lots of fun,” said Hannah Kaplan, 7, a second grade student at King Lab School. “I love drama. I like acting and playing games and having fun.”
Bekki Kaplan, Hannah’s mother, said the School’s Out programs are beneficial to area children, especially because school districts recently cut art programs at the schools.
“It was excellent,” said Kaplan, who also brought her son Eitan, 3, to the workshop. “It gives them an opportunity to do something creative that they wouldn’t do otherwise. Drama is an important way to express yourselves and gain self-confidence.”
Other parents also stayed to watch the workshops; some even joined the activities. Stay-at-home mom Amy Teschner brought her two children to the event and participated in the warm-ups.
“It’s engaging the kids really well,” Teschner said. “It’s imaginative and playful and physical. Anything that engages the imagination is good for the kids.”
The library’s next School’s Out activity features Steve Belliveau’s program Getting Excited About Science and will take place on Veterans Day.
