As our creative team has toured to multiple middle and elementary schools across the Austin area, we have invited youth to explore key themes, topics, characters, and ideas that are showcased in the play, “Kimmy”! Our pre-show strategies are designed to “hook” students in before experiencing the radio play. Our post-show strategies are designed to invite youth to think about overarching themes that are in the play and how those themes relate to themselves and their community!
One of our pre-show activities that were facilitated across the 8 touring schools is called, “Iceberg of Identity”. Within this strategy, we are asking students to brainstorm a range of identity communities (e.g., religious communities, race/ethnicity groups, socioeconomic status, familial relationships, and/or hobby/vocation).
Next, we ask students to think about their personal identity markers that are both seen (i.e. hair) and unseen (i.e. favorite hobby). Once students have written down their identity markers on a sticky note, they each add it to a collective iceberg.
At the end of the activity, students reflect on their collective responses based on similarities, differences, and what their responses tell them about their classroom community!
This strategy serves as an entry point for “hooking” students into thinking about their identities and how Kemi’s identity shows up in the play!
More Icebergs!