To boldly go where no theater student has gone before. At least that's what it feels like to be a student in Lee's first year of IB theater.
The IB curriculum is unique because it allows students to study genre's like absurdism in depth that might never be introduced in a normal theater class. The addition of IB to Lee's theater program also allows the most experienced students to pursue a more rigorous program of study, with only eight students in the class. In previous years, the advanced students had been combined with the theater 2 in a class of about 30. It also fulfills the elective requirement for the IB diploma, which allows more students to fit theater into their schedule.
The requirement of a student project in IB gives students more opportunities to take on more responsibilities, including directing. This year the class is producing two student-directed pieces: "Heaven and Hell (On Earth): A Divine Comedy" for competition at the Virginia Theatre Association and "Wolf Tales" which will the first student-directed piece to be performed on the Lee main stage.
"Wolf Tales" is based on the classic tales of "Little Red Riding Hood" and "The Three Little Pigs" but with an interesting twist: the audience gets to participate. "It's a children's show, but it has a lot of adult humor too," said Beckah Smith, the director. By rehearsing the "Wolf Tales" in class, this year Lee will be able to produce four shows, instead of the usual three.
"Wolf Tales" will be performed Feb. 15 and 22 at 2 p.m.