This year鈥檚 Oz Project production, Munchkin Madness, continues in last year鈥檚 tradition of teaching autistic and non-autistic students valuable social skills.
Using drama games, movement, music, and working together toward a final production, a mix of 29 elementary and middle school age-students from five different school districts have learned about problem-solving, teamwork, conflict mediation, and making friends over the past six weeks.
鈥淭hey are having fun learning about acting, but they鈥檙e also picking up social skills, learning about problem-solving, and gaining confidence,鈥 assistant professor of educational studies Sheila Clonan, one of the Oz Project鈥檚 founders, told The Post-Standard newspaper.
The project 鈥 now a seminar for education and psychology students at 冈本视频 鈥 was developed last year by Clonan, associate professor of psychology Regina Conti, and several then-冈本视频 seniors.
鈥淭he 19 students in this year鈥檚 seminar class (EDUC 414) have worked very hard and dedicated themselves and their talents to developing, implementing, evaluating, and documenting this exciting project,鈥 said Clonan.
This year鈥檚 performance builds upon last year鈥檚 Wizard of Oz, and features the characters returning to Oz, where they have to readjust and work out their differences with one another.
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鈥 Munchkin Madness will debut at the Palace today at 5 p.m. The free event is open to the public.
鈥 The premiere of a documentary about the project produced by Clonan鈥檚 seminar students will be shown at 5:30 p.m. May 4 at the Palace Theater. Participants will have the opportunity to walk the red carpet with their families.
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