A Coral Springs student encourages young children to get involved with the theater through her unique after school program, all while filling the shelves of a local food bank.
Coral Glades High School Senior Rachael Rosier spends afternoons teaching both writing and theatre to students who would not otherwise get exposure to either. Her program called, Lil’ Playwrites not only helps the students in the schools, it helps stocks the shelves of the WECARE food pantry in Sunrise, as the only fee to take her class is one can of food.
Rosier works with children to write a play, learn the basics about the stage, and helps them create costumes and sets. At the end of a five to seven week period, they present their play to friends and family.
How much is admission to their performance?
One can of food.
After spending this past summer working with campers in Tamarac at Temple Beth Torah, her Lil’ Playwrites program has now moved to local elementary schools.
Currently teaching in the after care program at North Lauderdale’s Morrow Elementary School, Rosier is working with 3rd through 5th graders where they collaborated on ideas for their upcoming 35-minute play called Olympian Obstacles, which was written entirely by the students. Rosier recalls one girl whispering to her, “I’m not a good reader, but I want to be in the play, and I promise to practice and practice if you help me.”
Rosier says that the highlight of her week is the time she spends with “my kids.” She feels that being able to mentor children is a great way to pay it forward what she has gained from all the wonderful teachers she has had over the years.
“They are always there for me. When I told Mrs. Schoen, my English teacher, about the new play, she immediately handed me a bunch of books on mythology so that I could be correct in my writing, and my former drama teacher, Ms. Rosenkranz still gives me advice and guidance,” she said.
Nominated by Coral Glades High School for the prestigious Miami Herald Silver Knight Award for her work, Rosier has also been accepted to her top three college choices where she will major in Dramaturgy and English, and hopes to pursue a career in screenplay, writing, and acting.
Rosier says she plans to bring her Lil’ Playwrites program to the community where the college she attends is located, and her dream is to someday be able to have her program all over the country.