Chicago 2025 - Day Six

Chicago Day 6 – The Stage Awaits

The world is a slightly better place for having improvisation in it than it was before. There’s something about it that says something positive about the human spirit, that a bunch of people can get together and by following a few simple traffic rules can create art and can entertain an audience and can thrill and exalt each other

Del Close

We all awoke to the beautiful Chicago sunshine this morning. During breakfast, our students were extremely excited about the day ahead... their first improv performance in front of a live audience!

We all enjoyed a hotel breakfast whilst Mrs Preston and Mr Bright gave a briefing sharing the itinerary for the day ahead.

Ridgewood Campus here we come...

Chicago 2025 - Day Six

When we arrived at Ridgewood, New Bridge students quickly joined the students of Ridgewood for a period of reflection regarding yesterday’s activities.

Then back in their groups:

- Traffic Jam

- The Rebels

- Hell’s Kitchen

...for more Armando improv practice before this afternoon’s first performance.

Chicago 2025 - Day Six (2)

Today for lunch, was a treat from Portillo’s. Students enjoyed monstrous meatballs, pasta, salad and falafels.

Chicago 2025 - Day Six (3)

This afternoon, it was time for New Bridge and Ridgewood students to showcase their newfound and enhanced Armando improv skills, on stage, in front of a live audience.

...and, my word, did they... WOW!

The groups took it in turn, interacting with the audience and then improvising with each other.

Themes included; going down a slide for the first time, vacation, 13th birthday party, kindergarten, Taco Bell and horses.

After the performances, the groups joined each other (looking very cool sitting at the edge of the stage) for questions and answers with the audience. The New Bridge students, full of confidence, answered questions about their views of Chicago, what they thought of American food, the differences between UK and USA schools and the New Bridge students also shared stories of the wonderful experiences they have had during the last week. It was a very touching moment, with a number of tears being shed across the audience.

Well done all, great job... round two tomorrow!

Chicago 2025 - Day Six (4)

Tonight at the hotel, for our evening meal, the students had Chicago hotdogs, chicken tenders, fries, waffle fries, salad and chocolate and vanilla ice cream.

When the students finished, they took it in turn writing thank you cards for the Ridgewood teachers and staff.