Standing Tall
By Academy-Award winner Peggy Stern

"I wished I had a black sheet that I could just throw over the window, so that I could never, ever see that again." Student

When an airliner crashed into the second World Trade Center tower, on September 11, 2001, Rachel Croyle's 4th and 5th grade students were watching from their classroom window at Manhattan's PS-3. It was her fourth day as a teacher. Looking for ways to help the children deal with their feelings about what they had seen and experienced, she drew upon the expertise of a drama therapist and a group of theater professionals from City Lights, a youth theater organization. Following a series of theater workshops, an original play was developed, based on the role plays created by the children.

Told from the point of view of their classroom teacher, this video documents the transformation of the young students' stories into a theatrical performance. It explores the ways that drama can help children learn how to transform a frightening, chaotic experience into one of clarity and hope - how to express the inexpressible in a safe and symbolic form and, in so doing, to feel more balanced and in control. For the audience of parents and friends, their play offered an intergenerational community an opportunity to participate in a ritual through which to share a common history.

This innovative program will help parents, teachers, school psychologists, social workers, arts therapists, and others who work with children to understand the role that story-making and dramatic performance can play in helping children cope with traumatic experiences. It offers a compelling portrait of the sometimes amazing coping strengths that children can display when they are able to work through such experiences with the help of skilled, supportive adults.

24 minutes
© 2003
Purchase $229 DVD
Order No. QA-393
ISBN (VHS) 1-57295-393-4
ISBN (DVD) 1-57295-844-8

Reviews
"Extremely highly recommended for public and academic collections; would be especially useful in any educational setting with programs in children's therapy or creative arts therapy. Crisp, clear audio and video, along with captivating close-ups of the students enhance this succinct film by award winning director Peggy Stern. It is to her credit that she only needed 24 minutes to convey completely the healing powers of drama. This is a very good film for both children and adults." Educational Media Reviews

"Documents a workshop with the aim of helping children to express their anxieties through an interactive and creative educational outlet. Recommended for educators looking for examples of alternate pedagogic approaches." Video Librarian

"A well produced film that clearly identifies the value of group work using drama for children and adults dealing with serious concerns or tragedies. A good addition to a university film collection because it integrates multiple areas of creativity." American Art Therapy Association Journal

Awards & Conference Screenings
American Psychological Association
9th International Conference on Family Violence
Columbus International Film and Video Festival

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