From the page to the stage

By Mary-Justine Lanyon

Working with Ann Noriel of Southland Sings, students at Valley of Enchantment Elementary School created the characters, wrote the skits and composed the music for a series of vignettes they performed for their fellow students.

Over the course of 13 sessions, the students pitched their ideas, which they then put to music and staged.

There is love everywhere in the village of Fox and Bears, the skit written and performed by Ms. Romero’s class.

In “The Magic Football,” Ms. Snyder’s students write that Johnny gets superhero powers by catching that football.

The year is 5099 – a much simpler time – in “Back to the Past,” presented by Ms. Berteaux’s students.

The skits involved a lot of animals – dancing dinosaurs, fox, bears and turtles. There was also a magic football and a look into the future.

The program is funded by the California Arts Council. Teachers at VOE signed up for their students to participate in the program.

Noriel said she has been working with the students at Charles Hoffman Elementary School for five years. This was her first year at VOE.

“Scandal at the Fundraiser” – written and performed by Ms. Mazakas’ students – revolves around a charity event to raise money to save the sea turtles.