VIDEO: Framingham Drama Students Bring Book To Life For Elementary Classes

First graders from five Framingham elementary schools witnessed a teacher turn students into apples and a other craziness at Framingham High School Thursday morning.

It was all part of a special production of Sideways Stories from Wayside School by the Framingham High School Drama Company, organized by Fine and Performing Arts Chair Donna Wresinski.

Wresinski invited Superintendent of Schools Stacy Scott, Chief Educational Officer Sonia Diaz, and all 9 Framingham Elementary schools to attend the drama company's special performance on March 10.

First graders from the nine schools were invited to see the company's entry in the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild's state drama festival. The Company competed in the preliminary round in February and advanced to the semifinal round on March 19.The Company also won 6 awards in the preliminary round.

Five schools sent first graders to the 40-minute show based on the books by Louis Sachar. Written in 1978, the series of three chapter books for elementary students tell the tales of a school built 30 floors high by mistake, with one classroom per floor, but no 19th floor. Ironically, each book has 30 chapters.

The schools were King Elementary, Wilson IB, Dunning Elementary, Stapleton Elementary, and Potter Road Elementary.

Following the performance, the high school actors and actresses visited the elementary school classrooms in costume to answer questions from the kids.

Framingham High student assistant director Maggie Farese, to support the experience of seeing Sideways Stories From Wayside School, created an educational packet for teachers which include cast profiles, questions to ask about the performance, games, and educational extension activities for teachers, said Wresinski.

Wresinski said Thursday's event reminded her wonderful it is to "work in a community where the arts are valued. ...I am so proud of our community, our kids and our art."

Families are invited to catch a benefit performance of Sideways Stories at Wayside School on Friday, March 18 at 7 p.m. at Framingham High School. Tickets are $10. Tickets will be sold at the door but can be purchased ahead of time at www.showtix4u.com.

The next day, Framingham High will host a semi-final round of the state's drama festival. The show features only about a dozen actors and actresses but more than 100 Framingham High students including the crew. The show is directed by Wresinski and Chris Brindley.

Photos by Petroni Media Company. Click here to view more photos from the production.

Click here for a short video of the performance.