Specialists of the Penza Regional Centre of the Presidential Library taught the basics of theatre art to schoolchildren

Children from the school camp “Semitsvetik” of the Penza Lyceum № 73 have learned the basics of theatre art at the Penza Regional Centre of the Presidential Library based on the Lermontov Penza Regional Library,

Children have explored theatre etiquette, learned how to make a “shadow theatre” at home, dived into the secrets of “behind the scenes”, participated in contents, quizzes and stage performances. All pupils have alternately tried themselves both as actors and viewers and danced with cartoon characters during the “intermission”.

Within the event, children have learned about parterre and apron stage, the difference between fake and real props, a theatrical term a student, helping his friend during a lesson, can be called.

A warm-up-pantomime and fun vocal contest, where the melodies of children songs had to be performed in animal “voices”, have been especially exciting. Therefore, for example, the constant mood change, whether sad or happy, of Mukha-Tsokotukha has been truly appreciated by everyone present.

Another contest, where it had been necessary to built compositions based on the scenes of famous paintings, demanded maximum concentration and accuracy of execution from the participants. Children have shown sad Alyonushka, who looked into the dark pool right in the middle of the multimedia hall, brave Bogatyrs – characters of Victor Vasnetsov’s masterpiece of the same name, as well as the composition of the painting Low Marks Again by Fyodor Reshetnikov.

During the event, pupils have tried to read Agniya Barto’s poems in rap style and other genres. Young audience has participated in a quiz, the answers to which had to be given via masks of “comedy” and “tragedy”. In addition, children have been taught to create theatre posters by writing down their own names as main performers.

Children have been told about the skomorokh performances and the founding of first professional theaters in the country, by demonstrating several books on the Presidential Library’s portal. Pupils have presented Medvezhyi potekhi (Bear fun), ancient Russian form of entertainment, described in the Theatre of Pre-Petrine Russia, available in the electronic collection of the Presidential Library Year of Theatre in Russia, in a small stage performance.

The Presidential Library’s collection, dedicated to the Year of the Theatre in Russia, spotlights different aspects of the development of theatre in the country: origins of  theatre in pre-Petrine Rus’, theatrical traditions of peoples of Russia, activities of theatre administrative bodies in the Russian Empire, present-day searches for new forms and genres, norms and rules for actors and other theatre professionals, stage set design and staging, and theatre life in regions. One of the sections contains materials about prominent personalities – biographical information about directors, actors and other theatre representatives.