Hello again!

After our weekend in Sioux Falls, we ventured back across the state toward Allen, SD. Population: 420.

We were slightly nervous as to what we would find there as they were still recovering from the early, freak-blizzard that devastated the state's cattle population.  However, with the exception of a tiny bit of lingering snow in the ditches, all signs of this intensely damaging storm had melted away.

It did snow on our drive there, and the next day.  But it didn't stick around.  And by the end of each day, the sun was shining.

The view out the window of the classroom on our first day.

We were working at American Horse School.

In addition to our normal Performance residency, we also offer theater-based workshops.  Our week in Allen was entirely made up of workshops.  (We will return to Allen in January to do our show with the students.)  Usually, our workshops revolve around the show and are designed to promote participation.  This particular week, they had requested Anti-Bullying workshops.  Apparently, bullying is an issue at the school.  We worked with a select group of students to develop short anti-bullying skits.  It was a really great lesson in the many uses and powers of theater.  It was fun to let help these students find their voices.  And, as we told them many times, their classmates hear the anti-bullying message from their teachers and principal over and over, and it is infinitely important for them to hear it from their peers.  I hope it was a new and engaging way for them to hear this material.

The kids made posters to use as props in their skits.  Here is my favorite one, done by a fourth grade boy.

Harrison had a particularly hard time with the issue of bullying.  As he put it - "I just want to walk in there and say - 'Guys.  Come on.  Be nice.  It's not that hard.'"  But like I said, I hope it helped a little.

In other news, we are still adapting to farm country.  This is a very common sight. 

Also, we just found out that you can get your learner's permit in South Dakota at age 14!  And then your actual license 3 months later!!  I mean, I knew you could apply for special permission in some areas if you need it to live or work on a farm, but apparently that is a state-wide law.  So, for all the people who have been worried about us driving long distances or in potentially bad weather, that is no longer the concern. You should probably be more worried about the fact that we are sharing the road with CHILDREN!!

Harrison was pumped because we actually got to cheer on his Seahawks.  

   My parting wisdom for the evening:  Don't be a Bully. Be a Star!

Love you,

Carolyn and Harrison