Mystery Playwriting

I See you: A Mystery Playwriting Adventure is an after school program for 5th grade students. Centered in student voices, the creative process begins with participants using photographs to inspire a mystery play. The photos will inspire fun, unique characters as students design, write, rehearse and produce mystery plays with a professional playwright. Students will have the opportunity to perform the plays, as well as have professional actors perform the play- something the students find hilarious and symbolizes putting oneself in someone else’s shoes while allowing students to watch a play they’ve written.

Students will explore the elements of playwriting including character, dialogue, setting, conflict, resolution, and stage directions. They will understand how to devise original ideas for a drama/theater work that reflect collective inquiry about characters and their given circumstances. Lastly, they will learn to use art as a pathway for mutual understanding and cultural awareness.