Playback at the I Can School!

I Can...scream!

Welcome to school

Aeryk may have you believing his time is all rock shows and eating dosas, but this is not so!

Aeryk also eats school lunch.

We have yoga in the morning, chanting class, and on some of our days here in Mysore we can be found at the I Can School teaching Playback Theater to all ages.  Now, by "we...teaching" I mean, Aeryk teaching, and me carrying his bags, herding and playing with children, and doing my best to keep up with his whirlwind pace.  

In the huddle with the actors

We have led two weekend workshops for teachers, and spent one long (for me!) day at school teaching batches of various grades of enthusiastic school children...and we are back for more this week.   The youngest group includes around 26 5-year-olds.  They are full of energy, but also so well behaved that once they form a circle we have a hard time breaking its shape.  The five-year-olds aren't really sophisticated enough for real playback, but they have no problem roaring like lions, jumping, dancing, and expressing. The student groups topped out with 13 year olds, who were capable of more complex games, and actually listening to each other.

The I Can School is a non traditional school that has grown from one woman's dream for educating her own children to a gorgeous facility teaching over 130 young people and offering a very full spectrum of classes.... now, including playback!  

Exploring fluid sculptures....

Now they've got it!

Even the shyest actors shine.

Round II: Aeryk teaches "Pairs" with a musician.

 We have worked with over a dozen teachers, playing games, and teaching playback short forms.  Like most Indian people, they toss away inhibitions readily, and jump right in with lots of laughter and a few tears.  We've had fun, and I've learned a lot.  Playback is Aeryk's comfort zone, but it isn't mine, so these classes have stretched me more than a yoga class.  

Vivian 

Stay after school to play in the sandbox - It's Awesome!