2004 Plays

2004 Spring Plays

The Eagle and the Wren

The K-1 class performed a story retold by Jane Goodall called the Eagle and the Wren. All the birds come together to have a contest to see who can fly the highest. It is only through team work that the Wren wins the contest.

The Bearers

The 2-3rd graders performed “The Bearers,” which was written by one of the student’s mothers. They wanted to do a fantasy play, and this is the story of two children who find themselves transported to another land where they become the bearers of the magic sword and helmet which bring doom to the evil Gorgath who is holding sway over the fairies and sprites. Through adventure, danger and overcoming fears, tiredness and obstacles, they are able to defeat Gorgath and destroy his ice monster creation.

2004 Winter Plays

3rd-5th Graders: It’s Gold!

This story was taken from an old German Folk Tale called “Schnitzle, Schnotzle and Schnootzle.” It was rewritten by our director, Nancy Monson, and the lyrics to the music were written by Nancy and Janet Runyan, our music teacher, and composed and played by Janet.

This is the story of a very poor family. The mother dies and the father is left with 6 children to care for. It is Christmas Eve and there is no food and no presents, but the good father goes off to work and tells the children to open the door for no one. It is a bitter cold night and all the children are sleeping in one bed with barely enough covers. There is a knock at the door and finally the children give in and let the two strangers in. After stealing the bed and the covers and being rude to the children, the strangers finally make them dance around. Whereupon the children find oranges, gold and cookies falling from their pockets. “It’s Gold!” they sing and dance. When they look around, the strangers have left. Father comes home and when they tell him the story, he tells them that it was none other than King Lauren who visits only one family each Christmas.

1st and 2nd Graders: The Insect Play

This play was written, directed and composed by Nancy Monson and Janet Runyan. Choreography was done by our dance teacher, Kim Hansen.

This is the story of an insect’s life, told in singing and movement. An insect starts as a larvae, eating and eating until finally it is ready to spin itself into a cocoon. It stays in the cocoon for a long time, until finally it is ready to emerge as an insect. In this play, butterflies emerged. They then spend their lives flying and working, until finally, life ends (after a very short time!) The insects lament the unfairness of their short lives.

The children had been studying insects all fall as part of their plant unit. This play put all their learning into movement and song, and they sung these songs for years to come, constantly renewing their understanding of an insects cycle of life.