Youth Performance Troupe and Debate

Upon completion, students who fully participate in this dynamic F.O. R. E .N. S. I. C. S. series, should be able to:

•Perform oratorical presentations, skits. and monologues.

•Understand the unification that is necessary to present a production.

•Psychologically prepare for a speaking event or a dramatic performance.

• Appreciate the importance of extending respect to any speaker.

•Pick out improper speech patterns and "tune in" to their own language. (Ex. smacking lips and saying "uumm” while talking, etc)

•Explain the difference between speaking genres and explicate the rationale behind them.

•Grasp the term “body language” and how it relates to speaking etiquette.

•Provide a general overview of social language including: slang, pidgins and Ebonics and understand the necessity of "code switching.

•State and explain the steps to effective speech presentations.

•Define many of the basic elements of poetry.

•Present an impromptu and/or a persuasive speech.

•Debate an issue.

•Define and provide examples of various dramatic genres.

•Name and identify forms of plays and playwrights.

•Place in prospective the career pros and cons of the minority actor/actress.

F.O.R.E.N.S.I.C.S. is a mobile speech and drama program designed to teach and enhance public speaking, dramatic arts, and performance skills within youth and teens.

Future Orators Reveal Exquisite Natural Skill In Competitive Speaking

F.O.R.E.N.S.I.C.S. meetings are arranged based on the needs of your facility. The classes are structured and inappropriate behvior will not be tolerated, under no circumstances. Lessons are taught in order of importance and the likelihood of student comprehension. Designated topics of discussion, along with dramatic exercises and practice ensure the overall success of the program. All students must speak every class period. The learning process in F.O.R.E.N.S.I.C.S. is based on consistency, memorization and unconditional love and support.

F.O.R.E.N.S.I.C.S. is a site by site income based program. Payment plans and partial scholarships are available. Any student in the F.O.R.E.N.S.I.C.S. program will be eligible to audition for the The Power of the Tongue community performance troupe. Auditions for the troupe will be announced at a later date.

Dear Parents and Educational/community facilitators:

As a performance artist with an extensive background in oratorical skills, performance poetry, and dramatic productions, I have found great joy in teaching youth dramatic and speech arts. At the same time, I am amazed at how our educational system continues to gloss over public speaking-particularly when it is imperative that students learn the skill to successfully function in corporate America. After several years of training students for the annual oratorical competition, multicultural, Black history month presentation, ACT-SO awards and other social/educational events on the calendar, I realized that many students are ill-prepared in public speaking and for many events that require drmatic or oratorical skills. Either they lack standard speaking skills or they are simply afraid of an audience. In order to overcome fears associated with public speaking, students must be taught the skills and understand, early in life, that public speaking is mandatory.

That is why I developed two seperate programs invoving dramatic and speech arts.

1) Power of the Tongue Youth Community Performance Troupe. This magnificent group of youth will ultimately take Chicago and the surrounding areas by storm. In addition to local and nationwide performances the troupe will also have two bi-annual multi media productions.

2) FORENSICS - a mobile speech and drama program designed for educational facilities and state funded facilities.

With all of that said, I congratulate you on the decision to incorporate the program that suits your needs into the lives of youth. Both of the programs are highly energetic and motivational. Through the troupe, paents can invest in their child's learning of all aspects of speech and performance arts and through F.O.R.E.N.S.I.C.S., educational facilities can prepare students, grade 4 and up, for speech presentations, oratorical competitions, assembly programs, performance productions, plays, extra curricular activities or any engagement that involves speech arts.

Thank You for your interest in Power of the Tongue Youth Performance Troupe or the F.O.R.E.N.S.I.C.S. program. For more info: Contact Ge'ylah Jones

(309 ) 318-1001

Frequently asked questions about FORENSICS

Will FORENSICS interfere with my child's studies or academic schedule?

Although, F.O.R.E.N.S.I.C.S. is usually held on wekends, holidays, trips, national testing schedules and other major school-wide events, will be taken into consideration and allottments will be made. The program is designed with spacious windows for continuous information acquisition, despite days that students may miss. FORENSICS has two major performances a year. Black History Month and Easter.

What is Mini-F.O.R.E.N.S.I.C.S.?

Miniature F.O.R.E.N.S.I.C.S. or “Mini-FORENSICS” is a five to ten minute assignment, which originates from a prior F.O.R.E.N.S.I.C.S lessons, it can be as simple as asking a question, giving a quick quiz, or asking your child to do say an impromptu speech on last nights social studies assignment. These lessons may be used for treats or other perks. Feedback will be given every class session to students. A rubric ( a grading sheet for performing arts) will be distributed evry lessona nd every child will receive a progress report. This will help (1) guide the student in weak areas, (2) perfect the practice process, (3) execute the overall message that “ public speaking is important” and (4) stay abreast of student progress.

What Happens if We Miss A Week?

If your student misses a week, he or she will be required to get right back into the swing of things with the rest of the class. I do not "baby" students. Classes should only miss F.O.R.E.N.S.I.C.S. when it is a must. Discussion of topics, memorization techniques and mini oral quizzes will be given regularly. Therefore, if he or she does miss, It is not likely that they will fall behind with one absence.

Productions & Plays

Your child will participate in FORENSICS productions and events. A Black History month production will be the first major event. Once parts have been given, please make a concerted effort to “run lines” every day; particularly, once parts or roles have been given. Running Lines may be done as a bell ringer or a Mini-FORENSICS assignment. This may seem impossible or extremely time consuming; but it is well worth it. You will truly reap, see and hear the benefits during the production. This is a cumulative learning process. Therefore, inconsistencies will be evident in the final production.

Preparation For F.O.R.E.N.S.I.C.S.

Prepare students by:

• having them read aloud prior to beginning the program.

• filling out the permissions package and having the student sign the

FORENSICS Creed.

• assuring your child that you will support them and attend their productions.

Your support, presence, and assistance will be sought later in the series.

• Locating audio and video tapes of plays & performances in which monologues,

poetry or orations are performed.

• Gathering costumes, and other requested materials, if asked and if

possible, in advance.

• Collecting a significant amount of resource books, reference materials and data on speech arts, African-American literature and other materials noted in the manual.

The Power of the Tongue Youth Performance Troupe:

Orientation, placement and on-site registration

July 23, 2011 214 E. 115th Street Chicago, Il. 1:00pm.

Cost $110.00 - Includes, 1st month fees, one-time materials fee and T-shirt.

(Take advantage of the on-line Early Bird registration options. From July 8 - July 15. Go to the "Buy Now" area above, click on the payment option that works best for you,

Pay in full and receive a 15% discount off the full 1st month fees, one-time materials fees and T-shirts. You pay $93.50)

Make a Partial Payment and receive $10 off the full 1st month fees, one-time materials fees and T-shirts. The balance will be due on registration day. Questions: 309 318-1001

About the Youth Troupe

The regular monthly fee is 80.00. Students meet once weekly. Parents have the option of selecting from two different session times to bring their child. If you can't make it on one of the days...come on the other. The same information/practice is covered.

The Power of the Tongue Youth Performance Troupe is an on-going performance arts workshop. through weekly workshops your child will learn multiple aspects of performance arts.

Dramatic Readings, monologues, preparation for speech competitions, how to reduce stage fright, improvisation, theatrical terms and techniques, and much, more. The troupe will have two major performances a year at the Harold Washington Cultural Center or Disable Museum. This is a time where friends and family may be invited to see our multi-media spectacular productions. Additionally, your child will have "mini-performances" througout the community and at educational and social events. Each child will have a Power of the Tongue Tee-shirt for "community" events. It is our aspiration to incorporate an out of town performance, by the end of 2012. I hope you are as excited as we are for what's in store for your child.

At orientation all students will be placed in a level equivalent to their experience. There is no need to bring any theater related items for the child nor does the child have to know a memorized piece. They will read a monologue which is provided at the time. They will do a small amount of improvisation and they will have an impromptu trip through an imaginary theater. The following is a (tentative) weekly schedule. It is subject to change, but the final schedule will be ready by Aug 1.

Backstage

Monday 3:30-4:30p or 4:45 -5:45p

Players in this group will learn the importance of enunciation/pronunciation, drama and theatre terms through kid friendly methods. They will learn the beginning stages of memorization . They will memorize one-two pieces a quarter including speech choir.

Upstage

Tuesday 4-5:15 / Tue. 5:30-6:45p

Players in this group will need improvement with their enunciation/pronunciation techniques, but have an awareness of them. They will learn breathing techniques and memorization skills. This stage learns several theatrical and dramatic terms, how to make eye contact and control body movement while speaking and performing. They will also learn by memory two-three pieces a quarter, which will include storytelling and speech choir.

Center Stage I

Wednesday 4-6p / Thurs 6:30-8:30p

Players in this group may need a refresher but, generally should have a good grasp on enunciation/pronunciation, breathing techniques, body language and memorization skills. They will learn the art of movement within presentation and what movement means. Overview of stage terms and expectation of memorizing three-four pieces a quarter, which will include storytelling, speech choir., and orations..

Center Stage II

Wed, 6:30-8:30p / Thurs. 4-6pm

Players in this group have a good grasp on enunciation/pronunciation, breathing techniques, body language and memorization skills‘ but may be weak in one or two areas ( no more). They will need to strengthen movement within presentation.. Overview of stage terms and expectation of memorizing four-five pieces a quarter, which will include storytelling, speech choir., and orations

Downstage - 8

Mon. 6:p-8:p / Sat. 6p-8p

Players in this group should possess sharp enunciation/pronunciation, strong body language and commitment to learning materials. Expectation of memorizing five-seven pieces a quarter which will include, storytelling, speech choir, dialect ,oratory and dramatic prose poetry. During special performance preparation times, there is a standard OPEN rehearsal time for 9 am - 12noon.