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PHOTO BY CLARE JENSEN

ZOO COUP. Eleven elementary students participated in the first zoo-theatre combo spring break camp March 31-April 1. The first time partnership between Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium and the Broadway Center Conservatory resulted in a student written performance about animals over-throwing a villainous zoo owner.

Kids get dose of science and art on break

By Clare Jensen

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium (PDZA) set the stage for a behind-the-scenes look at exotic animals – and fine theatre.

PDZA and the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts Conservatory joined forces for the first time this spring break to show students that art and science go hand in hand.

“We formed this partnership because we want people to connect more to their community…to group these things together,” said Nyree Martinez, education manager at the conservatory.

By grouping the two organizations together, 11 elementary school students got a double dosage of learning for both the left and right sides of their brains during their spring break.

For five mornings, they got a behind-the-scenes tour of the zoo, learned about the zoo systems, and were able to observe animal mannerisms and behaviors. In the afternoons, they were immersed in literature and creativity.

The result? A short, lively performance of the Broadway Center-PDZA original, “Zoo Coup,” a story where the animals revolt against the oppressive, money hungry zoo owner.

The students created a light-hearted, funny play from the ground up, with scientific accuracy and political undertones.

Megan Cooper, drama instructor with the Broadway Center, said the youngsters formed ideas for their performance based on what they learned throughout the day.

When they learned that an owl will alternate what foot it stands on, they knew that if they created a character in the owl’s honor, the actor had better have good balance.

They also knew, after seeing PDZA’s red wolves up close and personal, their play was going to cast the animal in a positive light.

Cooper said that after reading several stories with the wolf as the “bad guy,” they wanted to do something where the wolves were a good character.

She said seeing animal behavior and zoo policies firsthand gave the students more insight in how to develop their story and characters.

“It’s fantastic that they have an opportunity like this,” she said, adding that the students, several who had never acted before, also had to work within the challenge of an outdoor theatre environment.

Craig Standridge, public programs manager at PDZA, worked with the student group in the mornings.

He saw the combination of art and science as a wonderful teaching tool.

“It’s great how you can take two different pieces – biology and theatre – and create something,” he said.

Martinez said that because this was the first year of collaboration between the zoo and the conservatory the turnout wasn’t as large as they would have liked, but 11 students was just enough to break even.

Standridge and Martinez said they plan on collaborating more in the future, and at the very least offer the spring break theatre-zoo duo again next year.

“I think it’s a perfect fit,” Martinez said.  

Both organizations offer a variety of fun and educational experiences for adults and children all year long.

Check them out at www.pdza.org and www.broadwaycenter.org.

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