The past two days, I attended a "Foundations of Cooperative Learning" workshop at the Guilford County Schools' Washington Street Annex (across the street from Weaver Center). The workshop is required for all Mission Possible teachers, and since I decided in April to teach English at High Point Central High School for the 2008-2009 school year, I now fall into that category.
After teaching for 12 years, I've now attended my fair share of workshops, some great, some so-so, and some not-so-great. There are several variables that come into play, but two big factors in determining the quality of a workshop are the presenter(s) and the participants. People matter, and we can't help but be affected by them, for better and for worse. A poorly prepared, disrespectful presenter or even just one participant with a poor attitude can negatively affect a workshop and ultimately leave a bad taste in the mouth. A well-prepared, sincere presenter and enthusiastic, ready-to-be-actively-engaged participants can leave you feeling refreshed and encouraged about teaching.
I thoroughly respected, enjoyed, and appreciated both the presenter and the participants whose company I shared the last two days. The workshop was an all-around great experience that was well-worth our time. Our students will benefit if we take back into our classrooms what we experienced and learned through this session.
I finally met Randy Shiflett. (Randy has a superior first name, but a teacher long ago ruined it for him, and like other teachers with whom Randy has shared his secret name, I'm sworn to secrecy. I'll just say that I'm a HUGE fan of that name that Randy can't stand.) I had heard his name before and had heard positive things about him, but I had never attended one of his workshops before. He did a great job, and my impression was that all of my fellow participants felt the same way. During our time with him, Mr. Shiflett provided us a wealth of information, but even more crucially, he engaged us in the very process that we are being encouraged to use with our students: cooperative learning. And throughout, Mr. Shiflett modeled for us as well as any model could ever hope to model.
At some point today, Mr. Shiflett took the time to play a brief video clip for us from a movie I'd seen before, "In Good Company." I'd forgotten the scene, but it was one that fit perfectly within the scheme of our workshop. A recently hired boss who is younger than most of the men and women he supervises stands in front of his employees, trying to inspire them to do and be more. He enthusiastically preaches about the virtues of corporate synergy. But he's speaking to people who are not so eager to embrace his enthusiasm, possessing a rather synergy-inhibiting spirit from the get-go. The young boss pushes forward anyway, seemingly oblivious to any resistance or negativity. And slowly but surely, even though perhaps not completely sincere, his employees give in a little, showing signs that they might actually be willing to follow.
By the time he shared the video clip with us, Mr. Shiflett had already synergized us. By cooperatively learning about cooperative learning, we had developed positive relationships with one another, and our entire class of teacher-students benefited from that. As a diverse group of educators, we were openminded to the possibility of a positive learning experience during our summer vacation, and Mr. Shiflett helped ensure that by providing us a comfortable, welcoming environment.
It makes sense that that is also part of our challenge as educators: we have to figure out ways to help create and develop synergy in our classrooms. I've been lucky to have taught some classes that developed beautiful synergy, and I've had other classes that, at best, had momentary glimpses of something remotely resembling synergy. It's not an automatic given, and sometimes, even our most sincere efforts can't guarantee that synergy will develop.
Mr. Shiflett had a positive effect on us teachers as learners. His more profound effect may come by way of the trickle-down effect that will occur if we're able to transfer his positive energy and at least some of what he taught us into our own classrooms. That would be the ideal hope for any meaningful training for teachers.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Obama Cartoon Takes Me Back to 1990
This cartoon controversy reminds me of one that visited Page High School during my senior year (1989-90). I wish I had a copy of the cartoon, but at least the News & Record archives reminded me of some of the details.
"The student walkout came after a cartoon appeared in the school newspaper depicting a black student wearing a basketball uniform and holding a watermelon and a chicken leg. The cartoon also depicted stereotypical images of an Asian and a Hispanic student." (I had forgotten that there had been a student walkout.)
If memory serves me, that description captures the first three frames of a four-frame cartoon. In the fourth frame, I believe a teenager expressed something like, "Do you actually know anyone like this?" The intended message was that stereotyping is not a positive thing to do, but many individuals chose to interpret it differently. You could say that that was because high school students were involved. But that doesn't account for reactions to the New Yorker's cartoon.
In both cases, sensitivity is probably greater because we know that there are individuals out there who do see things almost precisely as illustrated in the cartoons. Some of us don't care to be reminded of that.
When I became a freshman at UNC-Chapel Hill, another stereotype-based controversy erupted because of a new statue that I believe was called "The Student Body." It included about five or six students in different poses. The one who appeared to be an African-American male had one finger up, balancing a basketball. There was also a couple, with the male holding a book and the female leaning into him. (I think she might have been holding an apple.) And there was an African-American woman with several books balanced on her head. Ancient history, but I believe that statue is still there, minus at least the basketball scholar--someone kept knocking the ball off his finger. (As an additional sidenote and reminder of how twisted politics can be, that same year, the KKK endorsed Harvey Gantt, hoping that he'd win, serve horribly, and forever ensure that no other blacks would ever be elected again--I believe that was KKK members' expressed logic. And NORML--the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws--endorsed Jesse Helms, believing his pro-tobacco views gave them some sort of shot at gaining his support for marijuana legalization.)
"The student walkout came after a cartoon appeared in the school newspaper depicting a black student wearing a basketball uniform and holding a watermelon and a chicken leg. The cartoon also depicted stereotypical images of an Asian and a Hispanic student." (I had forgotten that there had been a student walkout.)
If memory serves me, that description captures the first three frames of a four-frame cartoon. In the fourth frame, I believe a teenager expressed something like, "Do you actually know anyone like this?" The intended message was that stereotyping is not a positive thing to do, but many individuals chose to interpret it differently. You could say that that was because high school students were involved. But that doesn't account for reactions to the New Yorker's cartoon.
In both cases, sensitivity is probably greater because we know that there are individuals out there who do see things almost precisely as illustrated in the cartoons. Some of us don't care to be reminded of that.
When I became a freshman at UNC-Chapel Hill, another stereotype-based controversy erupted because of a new statue that I believe was called "The Student Body." It included about five or six students in different poses. The one who appeared to be an African-American male had one finger up, balancing a basketball. There was also a couple, with the male holding a book and the female leaning into him. (I think she might have been holding an apple.) And there was an African-American woman with several books balanced on her head. Ancient history, but I believe that statue is still there, minus at least the basketball scholar--someone kept knocking the ball off his finger. (As an additional sidenote and reminder of how twisted politics can be, that same year, the KKK endorsed Harvey Gantt, hoping that he'd win, serve horribly, and forever ensure that no other blacks would ever be elected again--I believe that was KKK members' expressed logic. And NORML--the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws--endorsed Jesse Helms, believing his pro-tobacco views gave them some sort of shot at gaining his support for marijuana legalization.)
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Hardy's Anime
For several of the 32 area high-school students traveling with us through the People to People Student Ambassador Program, Japan represented a dream destination, in part because of their love for Japanese anime and manga. We adults on the trip were less familiar with these artforms, but we too partipated in an anime seminar on our second day in Tokyo, where our journey began.
After some discussion and demonstrations on a dry-erase board, we each were provided a chin-and-nose template and markers on which to create our own anime character. As a non-artist, I was unsure of myself and intimidated by the assignment, but ultimately, I jumped in and produced my own creation.
One of the other adults told me that my creation reminded him of the Joker. I still haven't come up with a name for my character, so if you have any suggestions, please let me know.
After some discussion and demonstrations on a dry-erase board, we each were provided a chin-and-nose template and markers on which to create our own anime character. As a non-artist, I was unsure of myself and intimidated by the assignment, but ultimately, I jumped in and produced my own creation.
One of the other adults told me that my creation reminded him of the Joker. I still haven't come up with a name for my character, so if you have any suggestions, please let me know.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Mouths Wide Open in Japan
As I prepared to enter a store in Japan, I saw a nest of baby birds above what I believe was a light fixture. Not long after I first saw them, the mother bird flew over, and the babies' mouths excitedly flew open as they anticipated receiving food.
My camera wasn't ready to capture that moment, but hoping for a second chance, I waited with camera ready and was lucky enough to witness an encore performance soon after.
That experience was one of many pleasures while visiting Japan for two weeks with thirty-two high school students and three fellow adult leaders.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Middle-School Students Enjoy "Bloody Blackbeard"
Earlier this evening, I got together with seven current students, six of their family members, two former students, and a fellow teacher to see Triad Stage's "Bloody Blackbeard."
The verdict? Everyone enjoyed the show. The setting, the costumes, the music, the special effects--all are very impressive.
One student wondered if Poor Margaret's wooden face really looked that way in person. I told her that Kaleigh Kathleen Malloy benefited from at least a little make-up for the part.
There's a scene in which Blackbeard's bad side wins over, and to prove this point to the good-and-decent wife (Mary Ormond, played by Isabelle Gardo) he's most recently added to his less wholesome collection of wives, Blackbeard gives in to the pirates' way of sharing his wife with his crew (without her consent). It's not a graphic scene, but it doesn't have to be to get the point across. One of my students leaned over and whispered, "Mr. Floyd, you didn't warn us about that!" While I don't think it was ultimately too much for my students to handle, that's the one part I definitely would have prepared them for.
After the performance, some of my female students were interested in seeing and perhaps meeting young Blackbeard ("Neddie," played by Chris Wright) in the lobby. We saw some of the other actors, but if Wright came out, we missed him. He gained some female fans on opening night, partially for his performance and partially for his appearance.
I was disappointed when I found out that this show was going to open the last week of school, without any student matinees in its opening days. But I think it ended up working out for the best. For young people (such as my eighth-grade students), I'm not sure that "Bloody Blackbeard" would have ended up having as much universal appeal as Triad Stage's "North Star" and "The Diary of Anne Frank" had when we took our entire team to see them as field trips. I gave out letters and permission slips for "Bloody Blackbeard" to all of my students (about 96), and 9 of them ended up being interested and free for either the June 8th or June 10th performances. I'll also be seeing "Bloody Blackbeard" Tuesday night with two of my current students and one of their mothers. I think they too will enjoy it. If it had been a whole-team field trip, at least some students probably would not have appreciated the performance. This way, I think the students who signed on to attend will end up having a positive experience.
Thank you to the cast and crew of "Bloody Blackbeard" for doing such a great job. We had a really good time tonight, and I'm looking forward to seeing the show again Tuesday and Saturday. (22 friends and family are getting together to see it on Saturday.)
And a special thank you to Sherry Barr, Triad Stage's Director of Audience Services, for working with me to reserve seats ahead of time for my students to attend. She has helped me set up our past field trips, and she is my primary contact for setting up group reservations for friends and family to attend Triad Stage productions. She is always great to work with, and I thank her for everything she does--Triad Stage is lucky to have her!
The verdict? Everyone enjoyed the show. The setting, the costumes, the music, the special effects--all are very impressive.
One student wondered if Poor Margaret's wooden face really looked that way in person. I told her that Kaleigh Kathleen Malloy benefited from at least a little make-up for the part.
There's a scene in which Blackbeard's bad side wins over, and to prove this point to the good-and-decent wife (Mary Ormond, played by Isabelle Gardo) he's most recently added to his less wholesome collection of wives, Blackbeard gives in to the pirates' way of sharing his wife with his crew (without her consent). It's not a graphic scene, but it doesn't have to be to get the point across. One of my students leaned over and whispered, "Mr. Floyd, you didn't warn us about that!" While I don't think it was ultimately too much for my students to handle, that's the one part I definitely would have prepared them for.
After the performance, some of my female students were interested in seeing and perhaps meeting young Blackbeard ("Neddie," played by Chris Wright) in the lobby. We saw some of the other actors, but if Wright came out, we missed him. He gained some female fans on opening night, partially for his performance and partially for his appearance.
I was disappointed when I found out that this show was going to open the last week of school, without any student matinees in its opening days. But I think it ended up working out for the best. For young people (such as my eighth-grade students), I'm not sure that "Bloody Blackbeard" would have ended up having as much universal appeal as Triad Stage's "North Star" and "The Diary of Anne Frank" had when we took our entire team to see them as field trips. I gave out letters and permission slips for "Bloody Blackbeard" to all of my students (about 96), and 9 of them ended up being interested and free for either the June 8th or June 10th performances. I'll also be seeing "Bloody Blackbeard" Tuesday night with two of my current students and one of their mothers. I think they too will enjoy it. If it had been a whole-team field trip, at least some students probably would not have appreciated the performance. This way, I think the students who signed on to attend will end up having a positive experience.
Thank you to the cast and crew of "Bloody Blackbeard" for doing such a great job. We had a really good time tonight, and I'm looking forward to seeing the show again Tuesday and Saturday. (22 friends and family are getting together to see it on Saturday.)
And a special thank you to Sherry Barr, Triad Stage's Director of Audience Services, for working with me to reserve seats ahead of time for my students to attend. She has helped me set up our past field trips, and she is my primary contact for setting up group reservations for friends and family to attend Triad Stage productions. She is always great to work with, and I thank her for everything she does--Triad Stage is lucky to have her!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Anticipating a Bloody Beautiful Performance
You can still purchase tickets for 24 of the 28 scheduled performances of Triad Stage's "Bloody Blackbeard."
In our popular culture, it's more common for us to get excited about an upcoming movie ("Indiana Jones IV"), but for about a year, I've anxiously awaited the third collaboration between two of our area's greatest artistic creators, Preston Lane and Laurelyn Dossett. "Bloody Blackbeard" follows two amazing Lane-Dossett productions, "Brother Wolf" and "Beautiful Star."
The three preview performances (June 8, June 10, and June 11) are sold-out, and a corporate sponsor has all the tickets for June 28, I believe. I'm getting together with some current and past students, as well as some of their family members, to see "Bloody Blackbeard" on two of the preview nights. On June 8, 18 of us will see the show, and on June 10, 4 of us will. A group of 22 friends and family members will also see the show on June 14. With plans to see "Bloody Blackbeard" three times myself, it's obvious that I'm optimistic enough to believe that it will be worth seeing that many times. If I can commit to seeing it three times, you might consider committing to see it at least once.
I missed out on far too many Triad Stage shows before finally seeing "Dracula" in 2004. Even since then, there were still seasons when I would miss some of the shows. But I didn't miss a single show during the 2007-2008 season, and there hasn't been a single production that I didn't enjoy. As busy as work and life usually are for me, I've finally realized that I have to make plans to attend plays or I won't end up seeing them. It's not enough to think in the back of my mind, "I'd like to see that play. I'm going to be sure to see it." Even more definite plans have to be made, and tickets have to be purchased, or it will be too easy to find excuses to postpone my attendance. Suddenly, I'll discover that time has passed, the last show's ended, and at no point did I ever make it to a show. Not having seen the show, I of course don't know what I missed, but knowing that I've enjoyed and appreciated every Triad Stage show I've ever seen (for different reasons and to different degrees), it's very safe to assume that if I end up not seeing a show, I certainly missed SOMETHING. And when I allow that to happen, I always end up suffering the regret that I allowed time to pass wihtout following through. Almost all of us need to work on keeping this from happening to ourselves.
As loyal fans return and as word spreads, I have faith that "Bloody Blackbeard" is going to do very well, and I suspect that many more shows will ultimately sell out. I suggest that you pick a date as soon as possible (June 6-July 8, excluding Mondays), that you pick your date(s) with whom to attend (family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc.), and that you order your tickets now. Don't forget that gallery seats are only $10.00 each, and remember that educators receive half-price discounts on all tickets. (You can't beat such deals!)
If you've never seen a Triad Stage production, this show is the perfect one to choose for your first Triad Stage experience.
Order tickets on-line. Or call the box office at 336.272.0160 between 10:00 AM-6:00 PM, Tuesday-Friday. Or just drop by Triad Stage during those hours. And after you've seen the show, let me know what you think of Triad Stage and this particular production. I hope you'll end up falling in love like I have; it's a wonderful feeling!
Please don't forget: the time is now.
In our popular culture, it's more common for us to get excited about an upcoming movie ("Indiana Jones IV"), but for about a year, I've anxiously awaited the third collaboration between two of our area's greatest artistic creators, Preston Lane and Laurelyn Dossett. "Bloody Blackbeard" follows two amazing Lane-Dossett productions, "Brother Wolf" and "Beautiful Star."
The three preview performances (June 8, June 10, and June 11) are sold-out, and a corporate sponsor has all the tickets for June 28, I believe. I'm getting together with some current and past students, as well as some of their family members, to see "Bloody Blackbeard" on two of the preview nights. On June 8, 18 of us will see the show, and on June 10, 4 of us will. A group of 22 friends and family members will also see the show on June 14. With plans to see "Bloody Blackbeard" three times myself, it's obvious that I'm optimistic enough to believe that it will be worth seeing that many times. If I can commit to seeing it three times, you might consider committing to see it at least once.
I missed out on far too many Triad Stage shows before finally seeing "Dracula" in 2004. Even since then, there were still seasons when I would miss some of the shows. But I didn't miss a single show during the 2007-2008 season, and there hasn't been a single production that I didn't enjoy. As busy as work and life usually are for me, I've finally realized that I have to make plans to attend plays or I won't end up seeing them. It's not enough to think in the back of my mind, "I'd like to see that play. I'm going to be sure to see it." Even more definite plans have to be made, and tickets have to be purchased, or it will be too easy to find excuses to postpone my attendance. Suddenly, I'll discover that time has passed, the last show's ended, and at no point did I ever make it to a show. Not having seen the show, I of course don't know what I missed, but knowing that I've enjoyed and appreciated every Triad Stage show I've ever seen (for different reasons and to different degrees), it's very safe to assume that if I end up not seeing a show, I certainly missed SOMETHING. And when I allow that to happen, I always end up suffering the regret that I allowed time to pass wihtout following through. Almost all of us need to work on keeping this from happening to ourselves.
As loyal fans return and as word spreads, I have faith that "Bloody Blackbeard" is going to do very well, and I suspect that many more shows will ultimately sell out. I suggest that you pick a date as soon as possible (June 6-July 8, excluding Mondays), that you pick your date(s) with whom to attend (family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc.), and that you order your tickets now. Don't forget that gallery seats are only $10.00 each, and remember that educators receive half-price discounts on all tickets. (You can't beat such deals!)
If you've never seen a Triad Stage production, this show is the perfect one to choose for your first Triad Stage experience.
Order tickets on-line. Or call the box office at 336.272.0160 between 10:00 AM-6:00 PM, Tuesday-Friday. Or just drop by Triad Stage during those hours. And after you've seen the show, let me know what you think of Triad Stage and this particular production. I hope you'll end up falling in love like I have; it's a wonderful feeling!
Please don't forget: the time is now.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Almost Ready for "Almost, Maine"?
Look at your calendar, and see which of these dates will work for you:
Wednesday, April 30 at 7:00 PM
Thursday, May 1 at 8:00 PM
Friday, May 2 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, May 3 at 8:00 PM
Thursday, May 8 at 8:00 PM
Friday, May 9 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, May 10 at 8:00 PM
Thursday, May 15 at 8:00 PM
Friday, May 16 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, May 17 at 8:00 PM
Sunday, May 18 at 2:00 PM
These are your 11 opportunities to see the Triad premiere of "Almost, Maine" at the Open Space Cafe Theatre.
In its second season, the OSC Theatre offers a completely unique play-viewing experience. Located at 4609 W. Market Street in Greensboro, you could ride by every day without noticing it. But once I found it, I fell in love and have been back to see every show since. I've thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated every experience I've had at the OSC Theatre, and I'm constantly recommending that others give this theatre a shot. I highly recommend that you consider setting aside a day to visit the OSC Theatre too--I don't think you'll be disappointed, and you might become as big a fan as I've become.
Expect intimacy. At the top of this link, you'll get a slight sense of what to expect. But those photos only begin to capture the atmosphere that's been created for your enjoyment. Small tables are set up throughout the theatre, and as you're seated, your hosts will come around and light candles at each table. Playbills adorn the walls, with the OSC Theatre's own posters being added to the collection. Back at the entrance, you can purchase yummy desserts and drinks to take back to your table and enjoy. As mentioned, it's a very different experience.
Once the plays begin, you're likely to fall in love with the performers. On the stage, they're up-close-and-personal, and in some instances, they even come out into the audience. Come to enough shows, and you'll see some of them again, taking on new roles, sometimes dramatically different ones from their previous roles. During intermissions, you have another chance to purchase some refreshments, and on one recent visit, an actor from a previous show was serving up cake and other treats. You'll feel as if you've entered someone's home and are being welcomed into an extended family.
This is the description for the current offering, "Almost, Maine":
Again, these are the steps I'd suggest taking:
1. Select one of those dates I mentioned earlier.
2. Call the box office at 336-292-2285. You'll probably get voice mail, but just leave your name and phone number and indicate which day you'd like to attend and how many tickets you want. The OSC Theatre staff members are great about getting back in touch.
3. If you choose to attend between April 30 and May 3, be sure to say "W-1", and you'll receive $5.00 off the normal price of $20.00. (That $15.00-$20.00 investment has always gotten me my money's worth, and I'm hoping you'll be equally satisfied.)
4. For all the other dates, the cost is $20.00. Tickets are only $17.00 for senior citizens and college students. Children who are 17 years old and younger can get tickets for $10.00. Students can also get $10.00 tickets a half hour before performances, if tickets are still available.
5. Invite your friends, family members, and co-workers. If you get together 8 or more people, everyone will save $2.00 off their ticket prices. (I don't think this applies for the already-discounted $15.00 tickets.)
6. Determine a place to meet and enjoy dinner before the play. I'd suggest getting together between 5:30-6:00 PM at a close-by restaurant. (My parties have gotten together at Elizabeth's Pizza a few times. Bert's Seafood Grille is also a good option (right across the street from the OSC Theatre--if you're careful, you can just walk across the street instead of getting back in your car), not to mention countless others in the area.)
7. Plan to get to the theatre between 7:30-7:45 PM, particularly your first time.
8. Enjoy!
9. Let me know how your experience goes.
10. Assuming that you had a great time, make plans to attend the next show.
From the Open Space Cafe Theatre's website:
About the OSC Theatre
Group Sales and Rentals
Photo Gallery (scroll down to see photos from a couple of the theatre's previous productions)
Directions (If you have time and are in the area before you're scheduled to attend, seek out the theatre ahead of time so that you're not stressing to find it the day of the performance.)
Auditions
Wednesday, April 30 at 7:00 PM
Thursday, May 1 at 8:00 PM
Friday, May 2 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, May 3 at 8:00 PM
Thursday, May 8 at 8:00 PM
Friday, May 9 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, May 10 at 8:00 PM
Thursday, May 15 at 8:00 PM
Friday, May 16 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, May 17 at 8:00 PM
Sunday, May 18 at 2:00 PM
These are your 11 opportunities to see the Triad premiere of "Almost, Maine" at the Open Space Cafe Theatre.
In its second season, the OSC Theatre offers a completely unique play-viewing experience. Located at 4609 W. Market Street in Greensboro, you could ride by every day without noticing it. But once I found it, I fell in love and have been back to see every show since. I've thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated every experience I've had at the OSC Theatre, and I'm constantly recommending that others give this theatre a shot. I highly recommend that you consider setting aside a day to visit the OSC Theatre too--I don't think you'll be disappointed, and you might become as big a fan as I've become.
Expect intimacy. At the top of this link, you'll get a slight sense of what to expect. But those photos only begin to capture the atmosphere that's been created for your enjoyment. Small tables are set up throughout the theatre, and as you're seated, your hosts will come around and light candles at each table. Playbills adorn the walls, with the OSC Theatre's own posters being added to the collection. Back at the entrance, you can purchase yummy desserts and drinks to take back to your table and enjoy. As mentioned, it's a very different experience.
Once the plays begin, you're likely to fall in love with the performers. On the stage, they're up-close-and-personal, and in some instances, they even come out into the audience. Come to enough shows, and you'll see some of them again, taking on new roles, sometimes dramatically different ones from their previous roles. During intermissions, you have another chance to purchase some refreshments, and on one recent visit, an actor from a previous show was serving up cake and other treats. You'll feel as if you've entered someone's home and are being welcomed into an extended family.
This is the description for the current offering, "Almost, Maine":
"The Triad premeire of a new romantic comedy. The citizens of the little, remote town of Almost find through trial and error that the warmth of love can melt the cold snows of Maine . . . sometimes. 4 actors/ 18 characters. Funny, clever, full of laughs and ahh's!"
Again, these are the steps I'd suggest taking:
1. Select one of those dates I mentioned earlier.
2. Call the box office at 336-292-2285. You'll probably get voice mail, but just leave your name and phone number and indicate which day you'd like to attend and how many tickets you want. The OSC Theatre staff members are great about getting back in touch.
3. If you choose to attend between April 30 and May 3, be sure to say "W-1", and you'll receive $5.00 off the normal price of $20.00. (That $15.00-$20.00 investment has always gotten me my money's worth, and I'm hoping you'll be equally satisfied.)
4. For all the other dates, the cost is $20.00. Tickets are only $17.00 for senior citizens and college students. Children who are 17 years old and younger can get tickets for $10.00. Students can also get $10.00 tickets a half hour before performances, if tickets are still available.
5. Invite your friends, family members, and co-workers. If you get together 8 or more people, everyone will save $2.00 off their ticket prices. (I don't think this applies for the already-discounted $15.00 tickets.)
6. Determine a place to meet and enjoy dinner before the play. I'd suggest getting together between 5:30-6:00 PM at a close-by restaurant. (My parties have gotten together at Elizabeth's Pizza a few times. Bert's Seafood Grille is also a good option (right across the street from the OSC Theatre--if you're careful, you can just walk across the street instead of getting back in your car), not to mention countless others in the area.)
7. Plan to get to the theatre between 7:30-7:45 PM, particularly your first time.
8. Enjoy!
9. Let me know how your experience goes.
10. Assuming that you had a great time, make plans to attend the next show.
From the Open Space Cafe Theatre's website:
About the OSC Theatre
Group Sales and Rentals
Photo Gallery (scroll down to see photos from a couple of the theatre's previous productions)
Directions (If you have time and are in the area before you're scheduled to attend, seek out the theatre ahead of time so that you're not stressing to find it the day of the performance.)
Auditions
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