"Three, Two, One, Actiom!"

In front of a brightly colored set, two actors in costume begin a dramatic scene; the characters have a problem and there aren’t any adults around to help. The problem leads to an argument, the argument to a fight… “Freeze!” The actors stop the scene and turn to the audience. “What happened here?” “How can we help these two friends stop fighting?” Hands shoot up, ideas are shouted out, the students know just what to do! “Let’s try that scene again, and this time you’ll step into the action and try it your way… Ready? Three, two, one, action!”

TAP’s Interactive Performance Residencies offer a dynamic way for participants to witness, rehearse, and activate solutions to complex social and educational challenges. TAP performances give students a venue for action and reflection simultaneously, providing the freshness and immediacy so crucial to each young person’s active learning process. TAP’s actor teachers and program director meet with school faculty both before and after the residency to discuss residency goals and specific needs.

Our interactive performances:

• Engage students with drama, role play, group discussion, and team games;
• Excite critical thinking, socialization, and the development of imagination;
• Inspire students to creatively examine real life dilemmas;
• Are TEKS aligned and accompanied by teacher and family resource packets.

Performances generally take place one hour a day over four consecutive days, with a follow-up one-hour performance three to six weeks later to review what the students have learned and how they’ve applied what they learned in their own lives.