Drama From A Distance: A Waldorf School Tradition Continues With Virtual Class Plays

Not even a pandemic can stop our traditional class plays!

Class plays are an important part of the Waldorf curriculum and one of the things that our alums mention most often when they reflect on their time at Tamarack. They look very different this year, but they are still wonderful examples of the creativity and adaptability of our teachers and the delivery of the curriculum.

Starting in Grade One, the students and teacher embark on a unique experience of choosing the perfect play theme that fits the class and that grade’s curriculum. In first grade, it might be a fairy or folk tale that the class was really drawn to. Often, the class will recite the whole play in chorus rather than having parts -- this allows the young students to work and perform as a group and gain some confidence in what might be their first performing experience. Often, class plays are original works written by the teacher and/or the class. Imagine all that they learn through that process!

Each year, the students take more and more ownership of the play. They help to create the set and costumes and learn about storytelling, public speaking, and stage directing. As the class progresses through the grades, the plays become more intricate, complicated, and impressive. Alice in Wonderland, Harvey, and works by Shakespeare have all been performed at Tamarack. In the older grades, we have even seen musicals such as Cats and Once Upon a Mattress. It’s easy to see how the plays can be some of the best-attended school events of the year!

When the pandemic hit last year, class teachers who hadn’t yet done their plays began to re-imagine how this experience could change to fit the needs of the time but still hold the emotional essence as well as the necessary learning of skills. The Tamarack community has been in awe of what the teachers and classes have come up with!

This year’s Grade Three play, Hadassah, Brave and Beautiful: The Story of Queen Esther of Persia, aligns beautifully with the grade’s curriculum theme of Hebrew stories and the celebration of Purim. To bring the story to life while distance learning, each of the 22 students in Ms. Carpenter’s class practiced and recorded their own lines and created characters and props out of clay. Then class assistant Ms. Scarlett helped Ms. Carpenter compile all of the recordings and clay creations to produce a 12-minute claymation video composed of over 2500 frames!

Of course, the process wouldn’t be complete without a class play viewing party. On Purim, our Third Graders gathered virtually to celebrate, complete with noisemakers, masks, and Hamantaschen cookies. Even from a distance, the class felt the satisfaction that comes from working together on a shared project.

 We hope you’ll enjoy their creative production as much as we did! To view more recordings of Tamarack Waldorf School class plays and festivals, please visit our Video page.