ASSEMBLIES- If you have booked Ric for a school day, try to schedule a student body assembly early on, 1st or 2nd period if possible. This way Ric can build on his all-school appearance in the classroom situations that follow, not having to start from scratch with new students four or five times in a row.
Know that Ric can handle a large group. Some schools have canceled their assembly programs because of some bad experiences with performers unable to manage a large young audience. In the beginning, Ric expects to face what he calls "terminal cool" and a certain amount of youthful vitality that might be interpreted as rudeness. If this should get out of hand, he is prepared to deal with it directly.
The Assembly set-up should include one microphone, a small table or hefty music stand and a portable blackboard. Keep the houselights up during the performance. Ric needs to see his audience. If the event is to be held in a gym, gather the students as close as possible; and he never presents outdoors.
CLASSROOM- Here Ric chooses his material to fit the subject of any given class; he ranges far beyond English and Literature courses Social Studies, Environmental Studies, Marriage and Family as well as Speech, Music and Drama. Though he is flexible, he likes to present for the first half hour, leaving twenty minutes of class time for discussion.
Masten wants to see the kind of student who would regard an hour with a poet as cruel and unusual punishment. Having disliked academics because of a learning disability himself, this poet understands where many of the kids are coming from and is as effective with them as he is with youngsters in the accelerated programs.
Ric will have his guitar with him, but in high school presentations he uses it sparingly, preferring to speak his poetry and rap with the students. In middle school programs he is more likely to sing a few of his songs.
When Ric works with two or more classes, he prefers the students to be on the same grade level.
If at all possible Ric would like one period set aside where he could be with any promising writers, and others who are seriously involved in the preforming arts. This gathering could include all grade levels. Here Ric will speak of the pain and joy found in the creative life, talk about publishing and marketing (he has worked for Warner Bros. as a contract writer), address the difficulties of working with live audiences, and in general present material that might not appeal to students whose interests are elsewhere.
SPECIAL EVENTS- Special interest groups such as the yearbook committee or drama club can sponsor an evening with Ric and his wife Billie Barbara, who is also a poet and a woodcarver, as a fund raiser for their projects, but only in conjunction with Ric's day on campus. If scheduled as a separate event, different arrangements will have to be made with the Mastens or their agent.
Ric is often called on to be a commencement speaker emphasizing the side of education that can not be measured. During a brown-bag lunch or at a special time, Masten would also be available to speak to a gathering of faculty members, sharing his thoughts and poems on education and parenting.
some FEEDBACK
As with your previous visit, the students were talking about you, your presentation, and your ideas for days afterwards. Some of the teachers had not seen you before, and they, too, were favorably impressed, as evidenced by the fact that they wanted to bring more of their classes to hear you as the day went on. We gave you quite a workout, six presentations to 150 students each, the groups being quite varied in their ability and maturity range, but you were really up to the challenge.
George Schoenman, Chairman, English Department
FAIRFAX HIGH SCHOOL, Los Angeles, CA
As you are aware, our students were very impressed with your presentation. Since your visit, a good bit of follow-up work has been done by teachers incorporating your approach to the oral tradition in poetry. I was personally amazed by your repertoire and ability to vary your presentation from group to group. It was a dynamic, thought-provoking and entertaining experience for our staff and students. We hope you will be able to join us when your travels bring you back to Cincinnati.
David A. Shepherd, Principal
WALNUT HILLS HIGH SCHOOL, Cincinnati, OH
...the presentation was fantastic!!! The students were most excited about the manner in which Mr. Masten presented his work. Obviously the faculty members who encouraged his visit were overwhelmingly positive about Ric, as were the few who were doubtful about a poet doing an all-school assembly. We certainly would hope to have him back on campus at any time in the future. He is a most talented individual and we were most fortunate to have him visit our school.
Henry Edward Flanagan, Jr., Dean
AVON OLD FARMS SCHOOL, AVON, CT
Frankly we were a little skeptical about the reaction of the student body, with it's wide variety of intellect and sensitivity. We were impressed with your skill and appeal to every student. A good indication of your success was the fact that even when the release bell rang, the students remained rooted in their seats, which is something I have never seen before. The aim of Community Resources is to bring education and entertainment to the students. Seldom is this achieved with such overwhelming success.
Susan O'Neill, Community Resources
CENTER SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, Kansas City, MO
At our department meeting on Wednesday, your visit was discussed, and the English Department faculty were unanimous in their appraisal of your class visitations a very valuable experience for the students. And regarding your assembly program well, you're the only guest of the year who received a standing ovation. I'm sorry I missed your "inter-generation" session, but from all reports, that went well, too.
John W. Powers, Chairman, English Department
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON , Pebble Beach, CA
