By Ted Wind
Contributing Writer

As a teaching assistant at Oddfellows Playhouse, I teach children how to put on theater productions, and in the process teach many lessons that are extremely applicable to their lives and future. I am one of four TAs who aid Elizabeth James in teaching one of the younger troupes.  

When I started last semester, I didn’t know what to expect. The training was almost frightening. They taught us how to deal with problems that may arise, and on the first day I was
nervous. I didn’t know what to expect when the kids rolled up and flooded out of the bus.  

Before I knew it, however, there were kids jumping all over me, asking me for piggy-back rides. We all herded down stairs and got into a circle. After letting the kids make their own rules,
we began to play games specifically designed to help the children develop their social and acting skills.  At the end of the day we had snacks, and told the kids what to expect for the next
time we met.  

I definitely have to stay on my toes to keep up with these kids. Sometimes I feel as though they are moving at the speed of light.  So far, we’ve done everything from apple picking to pumpkin carving. 

Last semester, we asked the kids to choose their favorite celebrities and got them to research the celebrities at the library. Then, they made questions and came up with answers for an
interview in which they portrayed the character of their choice.   

This semester we are putting on a play, which is based on the true story of the three little pigs, the big bad wolf, and the tortes and the hare. The kids choose their own level of involvement and participation. I get the most joy from seeing the kids have so much fun with the activities we do during class, and I can safely say that working at Oddfellows has been the most satisfactory job I’ve ever had.