Your Child’s Dessert Theatre Experience in Children's School
For more than four decades, The Colorado Springs School has billed a signature theatre experience called Dessert Theatre for Kindergarten - 5th grade students. It is integrated with a robust theme of study and concentrated over several weeks. Often the topics of these grade-level plays are original scripts inspired by the curriculum the children are studying in science, history, and literature. This interdisciplinary exercise allows for complex ideas to be expressed on stage. 

The discipline of Theatre enables a child to become more in tune with his/her own unique attributes and gifts. Children are free to identify and solve problems within the rehearsal process, promoting their intellectual curiosity. They grow in their ability to express ideas clearly, helping to build confidence in their own communication skills. Theatre is a truly collaborative art form where children learn to be responsible for themselves and others. This social cooperation reinforces and motivates positive behavior, building personal integrity. The very process of developing a character challenges the child to see the world from a different point of view and teaches him/her how to bring intellect and emotion together. Plus, the art of presenting theatre engages whole minds through the genuine application of literacy and the integration of knowledge across the curriculum. 

Many alternate plans were discussed and reimagined to allow this signature experience for our students to continue with COVID mitigation practices. For the first two shows, with 3rd and 5th grades, students have been integral in developing their own characters and scripts for Dessert Theatre. Along with practicing on stage and enjoying their costume fittings, these two classes synthesized a theme from their classroom and are bringing it to life on stage. The uncertainty of this season gave the students an opportunity to engage in Dessert Theatre in a new unique way and we are excited to share it with you. As we near the performance dates, we regrettably can not present in front of a live audience. So in conjunction with our Communication Office and a freelance videographer, we are filming the productions for a virtual premiere in the safety of your living room. In order to not cut short stage rehearsals but to still achieve time to edit the final production, the recording will be released a week later than the previously scheduled performance. Plus, we’ve incorporated a plan for take-home dessert and viewing the Children’s School Art Show for those who are comfortable with an on-campus viewing. 

We will monitor COVID guidelines and make necessary adjustments to this framework for 2nd & 4th grade performances as well as K & 1st performances.
5th Grade Performance:
America, My New Home

Every immigrant has a story. As part of a collaboration between history and creative dramatics class, 5th grade students examined the motivations, hopes and fears that led so many to cross the ocean between 1880-1900. Then they imagined and wrote their own immigrant stories bringing them to life on stage. You’ll see snippets of immigrant lives from Poland, Germany, Qing-dynasty China, Italy, Russia and Ireland. From Ellis Island to Angel Island, watch these brave souls reach for -- and adapt to -- the land of opportunity.
3rd Grade Performance: 
Mysteries at the Mansion

You’re invited to a lavish party at the Trianon. The Baldwins and their kooky collection of guests can’t wait to view a priceless painting. Instead, they unveil a mystery! Who stole the masterpiece? Was it the potato-loving chef, the doting grandmother or the evil twin? Just when you think you’ve cracked the case, the mystery starts all over again with new guests… and new lies! Featuring original characters (and alibis) developed by the third grade class, Mysteries at the Mansion puts a never-before-seen twist on dessert theatre.
Art Show Walkthrough & Dessert Pickup
We invite 3rd and 5th Grade families to walk through the Children’s School Art Show in the Louisa Performing Arts Center with their students and pick up dessert. These art walkthroughs are designed to occur on Thursday and Friday prior to the virtual premiere of the Dessert Theatre performances on Friday, February 5, at 6:30 p.m. Other grade levels will have this opportunity during their Dessert Theatre season.

COVID Mitigations & Precautions: 
  • Please enter through the upper doors of the Louisa Performing Arts Center. 
  • Guests must complete the daily health screening form and temp check at the door. 
  • Immediate family only for a total of 4 household family members at a time. 
  • Masks must be worn at all times. 
  • Use hand sanitizer available before entry.
  • Screening with temp and sign up of members visiting (just to make sure we've captured names in case contact tracing was needed).
  • Distancing maintained between family parties must be maintained at 8 feet or more, no mingling or socializing.
  • Abide by time slot. 
  • Exterior doors will be kept open to allow for proper ventilation.
  • A table display will feature a pre-packaged “take-home” dessert to enjoy during the virtual premiere.
Classroom teachers will keep students in the classroom until your family's timeslot that day. It is recommended to park and walk-up to the classroom door as part of this time will be during dismissal. Please arrive 10 minutes early to collect your child and their belongings and make the walk over to the Lousia Performing Arts Center.
5th GRADE FAMILY SIGN-UPS
Thursday, February 4, 2021

2:30 - 2:50 p.m. - 3 families
2:50 - 3:10 p.m. - 3 families
3:10 - 3:30 p.m. - 3 families
3:30 - 3:50 p.m. - 4 families
3rd GRADE FAMILY SIGN-UPS
Friday, February 5, 2021

2:00 - 2:15 p.m. - 3 families
2:15 - 2:30 p.m. - 3 families
2:30 - 2:45 p.m. - 3 families
2:45 - 3:00 p.m. - 3 families
3:00 - 3:15 p.m. - 3 families
3:15 - 3:30 p.m. - 3 families
3:30 - 3:45 p.m. - 3 families
3:45 - 4:00 p.m. - 3 families
Friday, February 5, 2021, 6:30 p.m. - Showtime! 

Watch the filmed production of the 3rd and 5th Grade performances from the comfort of your living room. We will share out a join link to gain the feeling of a shared community experience and live audience. Families may share the link with grandparents, extended family, and friends who wish to enjoy the performances. The performance will also be uploaded to YouTube and shared out in the event your family can not attend the synchronous viewing time.
The Colorado Springs School | www.css.org