“Hey! Hup! Hup! Hup!” were the directions one of the students gave the rest of our group of teachers, students, and staff when taking the reins from Hassiem Muhammad and Marisol Rosa-Shapiro, two visiting teaching artists. It was during a Phare Circus pre-theater workshop that the two visitors facilitated last week in Belmont’s little library.
There by tackling basic juggling challenges our group developed a deeper appreciation for the teamwork and precision required to successfully juggle plates, balls, and rice-filled balloons. With the aim of preparing us to learn from and enjoy the New Victory’s presentation of the Phare Circus performance at Stage 42, our two talented workshop leaders engaged everyone in hands-on circus activities and developed the participants’ schema around rice and Cambodia.
The following day Physical Education teacher Mr. Bent and myself led a school trip bringing the same groups to the theater where we all oohed and aahed over the performers’ dazzling circus feats.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber