It was a morning of hilarity, silliness as a bit of chaos invaded Flying Hills Elementary in El Cajon, as the Grossmont College Theatre Arts Fall 2015 Traveling Troupe landed “Martians” in its auditorium, for two back-to-back performances. In the midst of the frantic cheering, laughing and clapping stood a bit of American history, told in a unique and amusing way.
It was a morning of hilarity, silliness as a bit of chaos invaded Flying Hills Elementary in El Cajon, as the Grossmont College Theatre Arts Fall 2015 Traveling Troupe landed “Martians” in its auditorium, for two back-to-back performances. In the midst of the frantic cheering, laughing and clapping stood a bit of American history, told in a unique and amusing way.
“Loosely based” on the children’s book “Aliens are Coming,” author Meghan McCarthy based this science fiction tale based on Orson Welles’ “War of the World” broadcast in 1938.
The troupe was hysterical, with its fast paced, high energy and engaging performance. It is still not clear who was laughing harder, the students or the adults in the room. The brainchild of Jerry Hager, professor of Theatre Arts, adapts these plays so children kindergarten and up can relate to, and learn. But it is more than a children’s play. It is honest fun for the whole family.
The Fall Elementary School Tour, now in its 19th year and sponsored by the Rice Family Foundation, present elementary children, many for their very first time to live theatre. This fall, each school received a copy of “Aliens are Coming” for its library and a great performance that had them singing on the way out of the auditorium. It has given more than 100,000 performances since its inception.
Hager said he brought the idea to the department, brimming over from his work with arts and education in elementary schools. His concept was a travelling troupe to give the experience of theatre to elementary students.
“The target is elementary, so what I try to do is have something there for all the grade levels in the production,” he said. “My philosophy is that if it doesn’t appeal to an adult, then it’s not a very good children’s show.”
This is a “win-win” all around, said Hager. He said as an artist and an educator, that there are so many values in just being in front of someone and so many values to the use of imagination. “Everything we have in the world created by mankind came from that,” he said.
Hager said anytime young children have an opportunity to experience theatre up close and personal, it will register with them on various levels. He said you never know when it will happen, but he has many stories of others that found their love for theatre because of early introduction.
“Our program is arts and literacy, so as much fun as the show may be, it was based on a real event,” he said. “We work history into the show in a fun way. I think that is also a valuable lesson for the educators. Hard work and being a student doesn’t have to be dry. Fun is a tool in the classroom. It engages interest, excites young people and gets them onboard quicker. To interweave the history within the story may give the educator the idea that they can do it as well.”
But do not feel left out, the college’s Stagehouse Theatre has encore performances of “Martians” for the public Dec. 4 and 5 for $10. Bring the whole family, especially the little one.
You can purchase tickets at the Box Office, call 619-644-7234, or online at www.grossmont.edu.
