Writing a script. (Images blurred to protect identities.)

Women's History ALIVE! Theatrical Costume Workshops!

In small groups of four, students write a short drama, find costumes from a costume box, and perform short skits for their classmates. Students are given an oversized puzzle piece that when fitted with three other pieces forms a biography sheet. Each sheet has a picture of a woman, biographical information, and instructions on what to do. The students then rewrite the biographical information into a script, find costumes from a box, and perform for their classmates. This is a hands on learning experience designed for improptu writing and performing. Plenty of room for creativity is stuffed into this one hour program for fifth graders and older. Although the picture shows fifth graders, I have had great fun with these workshops with middle school and high school. Maximum size is about 32 students. The workshops are done in conjunction with one of Sandra Hansen's plays.

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Sample Biography Card

This card is cut into four pieces like a puzzle and the students find the other students in their groups by finding who has their other pieces.

1. Read the biography.
2.Discuss what you have read. Look at the difficulties and feelings this woman may have faced or felt. Ask yourselves what may have motivated your character.
3. Write a short story involving your character. This can be either fiction or non-fiction.
4.Assign roles to all members of your group.
5.Practice your short skit. Look for costumes or props from the costume box that will help you tell your story.
6. Perform!

Loreta Janeta Velazquez (1842-??) Loreta Janeta Velazquez was one of hundreds of women who disguised themselves as men to become soldiers. Velazquez wanted to accompany her husband to war. She joined the Confederate army using a disguise with a fake mustache. To conceal her figure she had a New Orleans tailor create a wire shirt that she wore under her clothes. After her husband was killed Velazquez continued fighting. Eventually she was discovered, because her wire shirt came apart. The Confederate officers fined her ten dollars and sentenced her to ten days in jail. She published her story in 1876 in a book called Woman in Battle: A Narrative of the Exploits, Adventures and Travels of Madame Loreta Velazquez.

Being a good audience