Entering new stage of learning at Roosevelt Middle School
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS PUT ON ‘A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS’ TODAY

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BY DAWN MARKS

Published: December 18, 2008

Snoopy, played by Destiny Caudillo goes through the script with Linus, played by Isabella Acuna, during rehearsals for "A Charlie Brown Christmas” at Roosevelt Middle School. PHOTOS BY JOHN CLANTON, THE OKLAHOMAN

For Valeria Saucillo, the hardest thing isn’t remembering her lines. It’s recalling when to say them.

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But the 13-year-old Roosevelt Middle School student said she’s ready to portray Lucy in the school’s first play, "A Charlie Brown Christmas,” at 5:30 p.m. today. Admission is free.

Valeria realized she knew the play better than she thought when she forgot her script over the weekend and was able to write it out in a notebook.

"I guess I knew it,” Valeria said.

The school started a drama program this year. Teacher Bethany White-Turner said she wanted students to show off what they learned in drama class and see that putting on a play is a lot of work.

"A lot of these kids have never even seen live theater,” White-Turner said. "It really is an art form.”

Administrators started a drama program because they thought it was the only piece missing from the arts curriculum, White-Turner said. The class is filled with 11- to 13-year-olds mostly in the sixth and seventh grades. Students had to be in the class in order to audition for the play.

Turner-White said she hopes the play also helps interest more students in drama class.

Principal Marilyn Vrooman said she has a waiting list of students wanting to take the class, which is a complement to a new leadership program.

"I feel that all children should learn the art of being able to speak in front of a group,” Vrooman said.

Jesus Martinez, 12, who plays Charlie Brown, said he’s looking forward to his four younger brothers coming to watch the play so he can show them what he’s been practicing after school. He said he normally cares for his brothers after school but has had play practice lately.

"It’s kind of like a stress reliever,” he said. "It’s a great after-school activity.”