Theater Arts Class Teaches Summit Kids Important Life Skills

Education

Derek Annis has come a long way since September.

When he started the Summit School language arts class as a high school junior, he was reluctant and reserved.

“It was hard to open up at first,” he remembered. “It was hard to let go of myself.”

But now, the class is one he looks forward to.

“Now I’d do it even if I wasn’t getting credit for it,” Annis said.

He laughs easier and more often. And, he’s been sober for just over one year.

Summit School, part of Spokane School District 81’s Havermale Alternative Center, is a voluntary, transitional school for teens trying to stay sober. Most have completed the initial phases of a chemical dependency program when they start at Summit.

Summit students meet in a large, open room at the YWCA. They take classes in English, math, science, physical education, chemical dependency education and prevocational studies.

The theater arts class is part of the English course. Taught by Martin Zeller, the weekly class focuses on theater improvisation techniques. Some of its goals are “to command more respect from your dog, to play and to laugh, to dare to be boring.”

On the road toward reaching those goals, students pick up important life skills.

“They learn improvisation skills, and at the heart of that is listening,” Zeller explained. “There’s also group collaboration, trust and support.”

Standing in a circle, the class warms up with an exercise in unique greetings. Each creates an unusual way to say hello - by making a squeaky sound and shrugging a shoulder, or stamping a foot while grunting.

Then they move on to storytelling. Starting with a name, an object and a weather condition, students take turns telling parts of a story they create on the spot.

The exercise requires good listening, trust and a touch of creativity.

“These are very creative kids,” said Summit counselor Julie Poirier. “But for many, their creativity was stifled by drugs or alcohol.

“This helps bring it out. It shows them they have these skills and that they’re good at it.”

With every exercise, students learn to trust each other and the information they can provide.

“They learn that others have something for you. Lots of times we blank out people because of how they’re dressed or how they look,” Zeller said.

“But here you have to accept the whole person.”

Most students have no background in drama or improvisation but sign up for the theater arts class out of curiosity. Once they start, though, they’re hooked.

“It’s fun to be able to let go of your personality and do whatever feels right at the moment,” Annis said. “It’s made me more open and expressive.”

Students can see the progress they’ve made themselves.

“Now I can laugh at things. It’s made me happier,” said junior Jason Holdren.

“We work together as a group now instead of as individuals,” added junior Lindsey Bow. “We’ve come a long way.”

Poirier said that since students have been taking the theater arts class, she’s noticed they have higher self-esteem and that it’s easier for them to laugh at themselves - qualities that help accomplish Summit’s main objective.

“The goal is to transition back to the home school,” said Poirier. “We want them to be stronger when they go back.”