It was lights, camera, action for third-grade students at Chippewa Elementary School during a recent interactive educational presentation that introduced students to the fundamentals of acting.

A creative drama presentation led by Karen De Mauro, a Broadway acting coach for more than 20 years, guided students through numerous elements of acting, including the importance of focus, objects, characters, motive and place. Students were challenged to use their imaginations to envision themselves in several settings, such as on a boat in the year 1492 with Christopher Columbus and in a New York City alleyway navigating imaginary broken glass on the floor. 

To conclude the activity, students participated in several improvisation exercises that tested their ability to problem solve quickly.