Engaging Students Through the Arts with Shop Floor Theatre Company

Beecher High School students participate in first-day activities with
 Shop Floor Theatre Company program facilitator Emma Davis
Photo Credit Shop Floor Theatre Company

Sounds of Flamenco guitar, tap dancing, and a keyboard greeted sleepy students entering their English classroom at 7:35 a.m. on March 18, 2016. It was not a typical morning at Beecher High School, located just outside Flint's northern edge, as teaching artists from Shop Floor Theatre Company kicked-off the beginning of a four-month residency. The program, held during the first three hours of the school day, includes opportunities to explore self-identity through music, spoken word, theater, dance, and multi-modal communications.

Immediately, students were up on their feet and joined in a "shake down" exercise to warm up the vocal chords, to increase blood flow, and to wake up the body. "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8!" they shouted in unison while vigorously shaking the right hand, then the left, then the feet. A spectrum of nervousness, to too cool, to eager willingness spread across their faces. Each round cut in half until they reached count one with a big "WOOOO!" and jump at the end. 

Following the warm up, teaching artists from Shop Floor performed and presented their talents to the classroom, capturing the attention of everyone. My introduction was an improvised tap dance and afterwards I connected with some students who desired to learn more about dance. The performances helped expose students to new art forms and introduced the company of teaching artists from Michigan, Nigeria, India, and Saudi Arabia. The bringing together of different cultures was a unique and rewarding experience for the students, many of who may not have the chance to travel outside of the city, county, or state. 

At the end, students volunteered to perform their talents on the spot for their classmates. It took a lot of courage, but everyone was very supportive and had a good vibe. A group of three young men danced a choreographed routine they had been working on, a young lady sang side to side with our music teacher, and two quieter young men found their voices through spoken word and were received with encouraging surprise and support. Others expressed themselves in a more informal meet and greet mingle opportunity with teachers. One student smiled while playing a guitar chord for the first time, a rare moment of engagement, according to the classroom teacher. 

Working at Beecher High School in the classroom is vital and rewarding for all. In a school with few performing arts opportunities, students and artists engage through positive exchange to express themselves in new ways while learning about self-identity, one another, and world culture. I am always learning from their responses and experiences, which constantly shapes my approach to teaching and syllabus plans so that  I can better serve everyone's needs and goals. The arts are a human right to expression and all young people deserve a chance to discover the transformation, growth and creative problem solving made possible by learning through the arts.