OSCODA COUNTY — A private theatre company called “Acting Up” is traveling around to area schools to help teachers and students to better prepare for the MEAP test.

The theatre company is based out of Grayling and works with students in Oscoda, Crawford, Ogemaw and Roscommon counties to take their studies to the stage.

According to Chad Patterson, the creative director with Acting Up, the program is an effort to give the students hands-on experience with history and other subjects and to get them ready for the MEAP test.

“We go into the local schools for a week to work with them hands on, so they have an active understanding of the subjects they are studying.” Patterson said. “Our goal is to complement what the teachers are doing in the classroom. We work with second-through-fifth grade students. We pick a subject and compose a play surrounding the subject or topic of study. By the time production day arrives, the kids have a much better understanding of what they are studying.”

The program touches on a number of topics in the schools. The students create plays around things like core democratic values, history lessons, the value and importance of economics, citizenship, respect, responsibility, fairness, trustworthiness and caring, just to list a few.

“By the time production day arrives they know the subject through and through because they have done everything from script writing to construction of the props and costumes, “Patterson said.

Mr. Kemp, who teaches fifth grade at Mio, said that this is something that the kids look forward to all year.

“It’s not only about what they learn academically from doing the play, it’s more than that.” Kemp said. “It’s a chance for the kids to shine, especially for those students who struggle. I see kids who normally struggle with reading, and they really do a great job with this play. For a while we haven’t had the fine arts here, so it’s nice to see them have an opportunity to experience the theatre.”

Hunter Eurich from Mrs. Marsh’s class really enjoys this each year.

“It helps me to understand what I’m learning about in class better, and it’s a lot of fun.” Hunter said.

According to Patterson, the program is funded through the area COOR Intermediate School District, to help area schools. At the end of the weeklong rehearsal, each class puts on a production for their parents to come and see.

“We are very happy to have the funding to bring the theatre to the schools, as a teaching tool, “Patterson said. “With a lot of the fine arts programs being cut from a number of schools, we are happy that we can bring the theatre to the schools and the teachers and kids really feel like they get something out of it.”