Script excerpts, process notes, and observations by Students from the CCHS Block B Drama Class.
Carolyn: Welcome - I'm Carolyn Barnes.
Katka: I'm Katka Tkacik.
Nate: I'm Nate Plummer.
Carolyn: We're in Mrs. Aguilar's Performing Arts
class.
Nate: Except me.
Carolyn: Anyway, you know the relationship between
predator and prey is very
complex and complicated.
Katka: No it's not.
 Carolyn: Yes it is. There is the whole life cycle
coming into play...
Katka: One thing eats another, that's pretty simple.
Nate: I agree.
Carolyn: But it is! Circle of life, forces of
nature, the food chain...
(Carolyn is pushed out of the way)
Katka: Without further ado, here's Victor to
kick things off.
Ms. Aguilar's Performing Arts students at CCHS presented a performance neatly organized around the theme of predators. Through hard work and effort, the students prepared themselves in class as well as during free time they had after school. Each group organized their presentation with each student sharing their ideas and compromising.
One group presented a game called "What Predator Is It Anyway?" in which the audience was involved. Students would ask a question and the audience would have to answer. The game came out to be a funny presentation despite the answers the students got. It turned out to be pretty hilarious.
Students had a blast working on this project despite all the effort they put in. They were getting together and communicating with one another showing teamwork to fulfill the project. They had a good time being able to socialize with one another, expressing their ideas and compromising with each other, which is probably the most important thing about teamwork.
-Victor Arroyo, drama class member
Predator/Prey Love/Hate
We decided to show the ambivalent relationship between predator and prey through a comedy skit. Our main point was to show that they need each other or they would die out, and that they form a type of balance in the food chain.
Narrator: Since the dawn of time, predator and prey have striven against each other. The predator, cruel and cold....
Bear: Hey! Now, that's a little negative.
Narrator: The predator, swift and strong, has pursued his prey, small and weak....
Mouse: Hey! I do situps and run every day!
Narrator: ...His prey, small and....clever? In this epic tale of a bear and a mouse, these poor, dumb beasts....
Both: HEY!
Narrator: (really annoyed)....these poor, victimized, chatty animals will enact the eternal tragedy that is predator and prey...
script excerpt by drama class members Erin Johnson,
Sarah-Anne Corkum, Sam Krueger,
and Valerie Schmidt
Carolyn: Thank you EJ and crew for that wonderful,
complex presentation.
Katka: SIMPLE!
Nate: Whatever, we have to introduce the next group.
Katka: You just did.
Nate: No I didn't.
Katka: You just said we have to introduce the next
group.
Nate: Yeah, that means we haven't done it yet.
Katka: OK, if you didn't catch that, the next groups
up.
What Predator Is It Anyway?
 This presentation was a take-off of a popular television comedy show called Who's Line Is It Anyway? The game participants must use their keen improvisational skills to act out scenes that relate to specific scenarios, use of props, or themes, all involving predators or prey. As contestants, they are awarded points by the audience for their improvisational skills. Hosting the show was Adam Binnette. He recalls, "As the host my job was to motivate the crowd and to get them involved. This was fun to do because I didn't have to act like an animal." Those who had to do the "dirty work" included Irene Schmidt, James Fuccione, Kelly Kerr, and Jonathan Betts.
The first to arrive was the half-man, half-goat character played by James. Second came tall Jonathan with a glazed look in his eye: he was a deer caught in the headlights. Next rolled in Kelly; she flipped over on her back once and lay there wiggling her feet and hands in the air with a look of dread. Her turtle on its back improvisation was "rather painful, but fun" as she later recalled. Finally, Irene arrived with her grimacing look and bared fangs. As Irene later shared, "I played a toothless coyote, which looks funny on a toothed two-legger. The only predator in the group, my character stalks several of the others on the stage while the audience is guessing. Improv is always more interesting and sometimes more fun than normal acting." by drama class members Kelly Kerr,
Adam Binette, Jonathan Betts, and Irene Schmidt
Katka: I hope you enjoyed the show.
Carolyn: Now you can see what is really a very
complex and-
Katka: No, it's not.
Carolyn: yes it is!
Katka: No.
(They walk off. Nate remains on-stage, in a trance, totally
unaware of the argument.)
Nate: Yeah, I think we're done. Bye! (He books
it).
Photos: Clayton Jones
Backgrounds: Helen's Images (star) and Sarah Coppi (Turtle Stoneware piece).
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