Ordway Theater performers share experiences with FVCA students

While the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the opportunity for schools to provide traditional field trips for students to explore interesting and historical sites or learn about different careers and experiences, the faculty and staff at Falcon View Connections Academy have utilized the virtual classroom platform to bring those experiences directly to students.

Throughout the academic year, Falcon View Connections Academy, a public online school, has hosted virtual field trips to explore the Great Wall of China, shipwrecks in the Great Lakes and the Buffalo Zoo’s Rainforest. Earlier this year students were also given the opportunity to speak directly to a park ranger from Glacier National Park in Montana about working for the national park system and the various kinds of bears they encounter.

According to Falcon View Connections Academy English teacher Sara Kraiter, providing students with opportunities to find and explore things they love outside of the curriculum is beyond important. “Field trips are a fun way to do that, and they are a fun way for me to get to know students so much better than I could just in the classroom setting. I'm thankful to work in an environment where these types of events are not only possible, but highly encouraged."

Last week, more than a dozen students and their families had the opportunity to speak with representatives from Ordway Theater in Saint Paul about working in the theater and the performing arts. Chloe Chambers, Education Coordinator at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts along with actors/dancers Renee Guittar and Rush Benson, spent an hour speaking to students and answering their questions about performing on stage, auditioning for shows, and other behind-the-scenes details about a career in theater.

“Rush and I had a great time connecting with the Falcon View Connections Academy. The students' questions were insightful and interesting, and we hope that we were able to give them some guidance about how to continue to grow in theater arts,” Renee said. “We gave some advice about how to get involved with theater at school or in their local community. We also talked about cultivating theater as a community of friendships and stepping out of your comfort zone to learn.”

Rush said his start in the theater was basically a “family occupation” as he came from a family of performers, so he always had their support. He said growing up he tried to get as much dance and theater opportunities he could.

According to Rush, he started college studying pre-law, but it didn’t inspire him like the theater. He figures he will keep performing as long as his body allows him. He believes people should learn their entire lives so he still might sign up for law school later in life.

Renee said she has always had a passion for dance and didn’t understand until she was in college that she could actually earn a living and make a career out of performing.

The students also asked Renee and Rush how long it takes them to get ready for a show and if they still get nervous before performing. Rush said it always depends on how big of a role he has. The bigger the role the more nervous he can be. He said he has found a way to center himself by taking deep breaths to relax that nervous energy.

Renee said she deals with nerves through practice, practice, and more practice. She believes doing all the extra work calms her nerves and gives her a peace of mind that if something does go wrong, she did everything she could to make it go as well as she could.

“It’s like having a big test,” Renee said. “and you study really hard, it’s the best you can do to go into it knowing you’re prepared.”

Students were curious to know how Renee and Rush prepare for the different roles and get into the personality of the character. Renee said she will think of a movie she’s watched or a person she knows with similar traits and she’ll watch that person and how they interact and trying it herself to see if it matches. Rush said he does an exercise where he walks differently through space to identify attributes that might fit the character he is playing.

When it comes to auditioning for a role, both Rush and Renee agree that it’s important to understand what parts of the character match you individually and emphasize those qualities during the audition so the director can see you can match that energy.

“Walk into the room for the role that you want, not the role that you think you’ll be getting,” Rush said

Chloe added that in most cases the director may not know you or be familiar with your work so this is the one time to make that impression. Then there are other times when the casting people are familiar with your work and they know what you are capable of doing.

Renee said her favorite thing about theater is performing. However, she does enjoy the relationships and how a group of people come together with the common goal to produce a show.

“I’ve met so many hilarious people who I love hanging out with and seeing,” Renee said. “Those times backstage with them are almost just as fun as the times on stage.”

Both Renee and Rush advised the students that if they are interested in a career in theater, never let their fears get in their way and confront them head one. Rush told the group if they are afraid of taking a dance class, then take a dance class. If you’re afraid to take an improv class take an improv class.

“Because classes are safe spaces to learn and fail,” he said, “you’re going to grow so much by doing the things that you’re scared or don’t want to do.”

Rush ended the session with a prediction that when we get past the pandemic, be sure that theater will be back and there will be a deeper appreciation of it once it comes back.

About Falcon View Connections Academy

Falcon View Connections Academy (FVCA) is a tuition-free, online public school for K–12 public students across the state. Falcon View Connections Academy offers a uniquely engaging, high-quality education experience through a safe, social learning environment that helps students learn how they learn best. The combination of state-certified quality teachers, a proven, student-centric school curriculum, unique electives, technology tools, and community experiences empowers students to gain the skills and confidence they need to thrive in a changing world. For more information, call 800-382-6010 or visit www.FalconViewConnectionsAcademy.com.