Storytelling Through Theater

This residency teaches students how to use theater activities to explore the storytelling process. Students will enhance their understanding of key storytelling components (main ideas, details, sequencing, and language) through pantomime (acting without words or sound), improvisation (on-the-spot actions/dialogue), and tableaus (motionless figures). Supported by a visual thinking strategy, students will use books from their classroom as a guide and visual images as an inspiration for their creative process. The theater program creates a safe and participatory learning environment for students to develop their social interactions, curiosity, critical reasoning, and problem-solving, and learn how to give and receive feedback, and understand multiple perspectives. This program can be offered as a workshop, a long-term residency, or a professional development workshop for teachers. For all ages! 

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  Gia Bonavita is a member of the SAG-AFTRA actors union, with 20 years of experience writing, producing, and directing musicals and dramatic productions in NYC public and private schools. As a theater arts educator, her expertise is in implementing programs for children and adults in literacy, social justice, and conflict resolution with an emphasis on multiple intelligence instruction. Her specialty is facilitating programs that enrich literacy through theater, dance, and music.

  Gia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater and Communications from City University, Queens College. She is a past affiliate with both Roundabout Theater Ensemble and The Waterfront Ensemble.

  Gia Bonavita