Grade 7 Students Share Identity Through Memoir Monologues
This semester, Grade 7 Drama students brought their personal stories to life through the Memoir Monologues Showcase. Each student wrote and performed an original monologue inspired by their own experiences, using movement, voice, and design to express a moment of personal meaning. The performances invited audiences to see the individuality, honesty, and imagination behind each student’s work.
A Personal Performance
Students explored how to turn real memories into theatrical storytelling. Through writing workshops and rehearsals, they learned to connect emotion with expression and to use performance as a way to share identity. This year, the monologues were performed publicly for teachers and counselors, creating a supportive space where students could share their stories with confidence.
Finding Their Voice
In addition to writing and performing, students incorporated visual slideshows, set pieces, and props to deepen the atmosphere and emotional impact of their pieces. These design choices helped them discover how visual elements can reinforce story and mood, allowing audiences to better understand the experiences being shared.
Learning Through Reflection
After the showcase, students reflected on what it means to perform truthfully. Many described feeling most connected to their work when they were willing to be open and vulnerable. Rehearsal feedback and peer discussions helped them grow as artists, as they learned to listen, support one another, and take creative risks.
Expanding the MYP Drama Experience
Projects like the Memoir Monologues demonstrate how the MYP Drama program continues to grow in depth and collaboration. With each year, students build on their creative foundations by engaging with new performance styles, design elements, and opportunities to share their work with the wider community. The program continues to nurture confidence, creativity, and empathy through authentic artistic experiences.
A Shared Stage Experience
The Memoir Monologues gave students a space to express who they are and what matters to them. Their performances revealed courage, empathy, and growth, showing that the most powerful stories often come from within.
Ms. Lindsay Stewart
