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Pamela Gerke
Primary Discipline: Theatre Areas of Specialty: Playwriting, directing and publishing plays adapted from folktales, with music and movement, for and with children. Playwriting, composing and directing musical theatre, with both children and adults.
Based in: Everett
Biography: Pamela Gerke is a music and theatre artist, choral conductor, and arts educator. She is currently developing a new musical about Florence Nightingale and seeking publication of her series of children's picture books of folktale plays. A playwright and composer, she has taught music, drama and integrated arts with children for over twenty years, in schools and other settings. Pamela founded and directed Kids Action Theater play productions in Seattle for 13 years and has authored five books about children's drama and creative movement (published by Smith & Kraus, Inc.). She founded and directed Sacred Fire Choir and currently conducts the Pine Cone Children's Choir at Evergreen Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. She also works with Arts In Motion, Community School for the Arts.
When asked about her approach as a Teaching Artist, Ms. Gerke wrote this: "My purpose in teaching is to inspire in my students a sense of their inner authority and support their optimal development. I center my classes on what is naturally interesting and motivating for children because that will unlock the key to their learning. Children love playacting because it's fun. I believe that it's fun because creative drama allows children to express feelings, satisfy unconscious needs, take risks, and resolve problems. Through playacting they learn kinesthetically, focus their attention, and receive a boost to their self esteem. Drama supports diverse learning styles and the development of creative thinking. It also develops successful social skills through collaboration. Folktale plays help children learn about other groups of people, spreading cross-cultural literacy, awareness and understanding."
Suitable for Grades: K-8 Curriculum Integration Possibilities: Literacy / Reading / Writing, History / Social Studies, Other Arts Disciplines
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