Funday Times

Kids at play
By Esther Williams
I like being a tree,” says blue-eyed Micah George, a home schooled five-year old from the US, currently in Sri Lanka. “I put my hands up and move them like this,” he gestures. He like 24 other 5-9 year olds have been involved in a unique Drama workshop conducted by Dr. Neluka Silva (Head of English Department, University of Colombo).

Rehearsals, two weeks prior to the show, saw them actively involved, in putting together the play. “What does the wizard do next?” they are asked. The children’s response determines the direction the plot takes. Much enthusiasm is seen as each child (5-9) says his/her bit of dialogue.

The workshop is a creative exercise, being experimented for the first time by Neluka, an accomplished dramatist. Having learnt from her vast experience in theatrical productions and inspired by her daughter’s enthusiasm, she felt that children would benefit a great deal from the confidence and self-esteem they would gain from such a workshop.

“The response was tremendous,” she exclaims, adding that it was rewarding to see children who were initially too shy to even say their names, speaking out and making their presence felt. To free them of their inhibitions, important exercises in breathing, voice projection, concentration, energy building and imagination were conducted.

The classes conducted at the ABC School of Early Learning enhanced their skills in drama, song, music, miming, improvisation and rhythm. Neluka was assisted in the project by her student Ruhanie. “It was a deviation from what I usually do and it has been one of my most inspiring exercises,” says she. The plays will be staged on the 24th September.

The younger children (5-7) are enacting a fairy tale of their own making with characters such as fairies, trees and wizards featuring in it. Tulasi Elapata (9) plays the wizard who everyone in fairyland thinks is mean. All the creatures in fairyland think he casts spells on people and turns them into frogs. The fairies however find out that the wizard was actually a good man and go about telling others about him.

The older children (8-10) will be play ‘Elmer the Elephant.’ In both cases, stories revolve around basic plots with plenty of improvisations. “The Children have chosen things they are familiar with and enjoy,” explains Neluka, adding that details were then built around such creatures.

Most importantly, the exercise has helped children to think for themselves and the outcome can be equally rewarding as they would feel they have really contributed to the play. To be able to stage a production of this nature in a matter of weeks with children from different schools with a varying range of experience is no simple matter. Parents can be surprised with the turnout.

Akana Jayewardena (10) says that she has enjoyed the experience tremendously. “The teachers are so nice and helpful. They discuss lines and give us ideas how to act.” The children have made the best of the one-hour a week informal programme. The best part was that there was no pressure involved. “I am going to miss this when it is finished,” says Latisha Manukulasuriya (10). Taneesha Wijeyagunawardene (8) adds, “We helped make the story.” Dr. Silva will soon be going to Oxford for a year for higher studies. On her return she hopes to conduct more such workshops.

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