The group of students looked up at the screens above them, and there, right in the middle of the movie theater foyer, they saw something strange, something unexpected: They saw themselves.
The Trantwood Troupers should have been used to the bright lights of fame, though. In the past three years, leader Jeff Seneca has transformed the drama club at the school to a fully-fledged theater troupe. The club, if it can be characterized that way, has more than 60 members and has put on raving performances of Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz and Brothers Grimm Spectacular.
“It’s not just an after school program,” Seneca said. “They’ve made it into a program.”
Seneca, who works as a special education assistant at the school, began volunteering at Trantwood while he was still in the Navy and stationed at Little Creek. He officially joined the staff in 2010, and, at that time, was asked to help take over the school’s theater group.
Even he admits his approach was different.
“I came in and started a community theater basically,” Seneca said. “’This is your responsibility. This is our responsibility. Get it done.’”
Every role necessary for putting on a production was assigned to the elementary schoolers; everything from stage crew and set building to props and even the lightboard and soundboard was run or overseen by the students.
“We’re putting kids in these scary positions and they’re taking over and making it their show,” Seneca said. “That could have really backfired, (but) these kids rise to whatever you set before them.”
In addition to giving children a special ownership of their play, Seneca ensured students were meeting almost all the SOL standards for theater classes. He has also seen firsthand students exhibit positive growth in their vocabularies, management skills and even math skills from various set designs.
“Kids learn better when (they) don’t think they’re learning,” Seneca said. “Give them as much as you think they can handle and back off if you have to. We haven’t had to back off yet.”
The Trantwood community has excitedly partnered with their work.
Fellow staff members, teachers and parents pitch in to help oversee various parts of the production. The hard work has paid off.
“Trantwood Troupers builds confidence in students,” said Dr. Jeanne Crocker, principal of Trantwood. “If there is a fear of public speaking prior to participation in Troupers, it fades with the encouragement of Mr. Seneca and the appreciative applause from the audience… In short, Trantwood Troupers inspires children to become more than they ever dreamed possible.”
Since Seneca took over the program, attendance at the group’s shows has been standing room only. In fact, this year, the students took over the Plaza Middle School auditorium to be able to seat more guests.
Not bad for an elementary school production.
A life-long thespian himself, Seneca is thrilled more students have the chance to be on stage.
“It’s just a good outlet,” he said, “especially for kids who are trying to figure out who they are.”
Seneca himself has spent years working in theater – his first lead came in the eighth-grade (he played Snoopy in Charlie Brown). He continued to pursue local community theater work throughout college and while stationed in various locations in the Navy. In fact, while in Hawaii, Seneca scored some onscreen time as an extra in the 2001 blockbuster Pearl Harbor.
Now, he has been able to share his love of the arts with his students.
When the schools were closed for the snow days this winter, Seneca volunteered to go to a local bookstore to help rehearse with students nervous about learning their lines. He orchestrated photo shoots of the students dressed as their characters to put in promotional materials and playbills.
He even worked with Cinema Café to hold a special screening of recordings of the school’s plays. Seneca edited the footage to create “trailers” for the play, and had them running on the televisions in the theater’s lobby.
“To them, it’s a movie theater, they’re not supposed to see themselves up there,” Seneca said. “Little kids were turning around seeing the students.. It’s something they may never see again.”
Seneca said he hopes other schools will see the successes of Trantwood’s programs and look to incorporate it into their school.
“There are other people who can do programs like this, shows like this, and kids want this,” he said. “I couldn’t do this on my own. We’ve created something that going everywhere…We need more.”
Q&A:
What is your favorite book? Anything by Stephen King really.
What was the last movie you saw? Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
What is your best recommended study tip? Get some place quiet.
What is your favorite play/production to see on stage? Wicked.
Jeff Seneca is an amazing teacher who believes that ALL children have a special gift! He is able to reach children wherever they are in order to help them discover this gift. The children lucky enough to work with him develop skills necessary for the world in which they live. He simply raises the bar so to to speak, and they gladly reach for it. I call him the “Pied Piper”! Kids love to be in Mr. Jeff’s theater programs. I’m blessed to have had the chance to work alongside him. He’s a true inspiration!
I would just like to take a moment to thank Lauren for taking time out to come and see more about what is happening at Trantwood Elementary. I truly appreciate her dedication and would also like to thank everyone else that helped to make this a noteworthy article.
What a gift to children to work under the talented direction of Jeff Seneca! Students dream they will be on Broadway and indeed many of them may. The confidence, the willingness to go beyond, these are gifts that foster academics in such a positive direction. Mr. Seneca is so fortunate to attract so many teacher, parent assistants. Who wouldn’t want to see students become their best? Thank you and those involved who give so much to the never to be forgotten memories of their elementary school.
We need more people like Jeff Seneca to watch over our kids and be an inspiration.
It seems Mr. Seneca has done something very special and important. The children are fortunate to have him and the program.
Jeff Seneca has proven time and again that learning takes place in all shapes and forms. Those who participate in Troupers seem to carry their confidence back into the classroom where it shows in their classwork and in their interactions with classmates. These students learn that hard work and dedication pay off in immeasurable ways. Jeff inspires these children. We are most fortunate to have him at Trantwood.