Blogs

A program designed to build sustainable musical theatre programs in underserved middle schools that currently have none.

This is a series of monthly updates about the JumpStart Theatre pilot program launched in Cincinnati, Ohio. To view previous updates, click here. 

JumpStart Theatre Showcase

According to students, teachers, staff, and audience members, the third annual JumpStart Theatre Showcase in Cincinnati was the best one yet! Memorial Hall was beautifully suited to frame the enthusiastically executed musical numbers from each of the nine schools. Jen Dalton, a news anchor from local CBS affiliate Channel 12, once again hosted the festivities, while EdTA Executive Director, Julie Cohen Theobald, and JumpStart Theatre Mentor, Dee Anne Bryll, told the audience the story behind the three years of work.

Students perform in the 2018 Showcase

Three brave students (from Holmes, Gamble, and Felicity-Franklin) also confidently took the stage in front of the 500+ audience members to explain what the program has meant to them personally.

The audience cheered loudly when Julie announced that, thanks to the amazing accomplishments of the Cincinnati students, teachers, and schools, JumpStart Theatre would be expanding into two new regional markets. Watch the clip here:


To conclude the event, a mix of students from each school performed a finale number, "Freak Flag" from Shrek JR., together. They learned the choreography and music ahead of time via video, then met up an hour before the performance to rehearse together.

Oh, the places you'll go!

The day following the Showcase, the teachers from our inaugural JumpStart Theatre class, our very first program graduates, joined us at a local restaurant to celebrate and provide feedback about their experience. 

The EdTA Staff and Centers for Research on Creativity team gained valuable insights and important ideas to help shape the future of the program. A few stood out as particularly noteworthy:

• Teachers shared that they have noticed that their students are becoming better audience members. They understand when to clap, when to be quiet, and overall, how to be more respectful and supportive during a performance.

• Over the three years, the teachers have learned their own strengths and weaknesses, the importance of relying on a team and not taking everything on alone.

• Teachers realized the value of building a community with other schools in the program, and expressed an interest in continuing to meet to exchange ideas and support.

National Expansion news:

La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego held an orientation for the schools selected to be part of its first JumpStart Theatre class. Teachers and administrators discussed the schedule for the upcoming school year, reviewed show choices, and even had a chance to talk to EdTA staff and a Cincinnati JumpStart Theatre teacher by video call. San Diego Mentor, Julia Cuppy, also led the group through a few theatre games to begin demonstrating how to build an ensemble.

Thank you, CCM!

One of the reasons JumpStart Theatre has been able to expand nationally is because of the incredibly supportive community we have here in Cincinnati. As an increasing number of people learn about the program, the more support we receive to help us reach new students and enrich their experience.

Our latest example came from Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Preparatory (CCM). Earlier in the year, excited to see theatre education being offered to new audiences, the CCM staff lent costumes and props to JumpStart Theatre schools for their March performances. After seeing the students perform in the May Showcase, they were inspired to offer two full scholarships for The CCM Experience in July, a two week, all day program that gives participants professional training in instrumental music, acting, musical theatre/voice or dance. CCM was able to provide the scholarships due to the generosity of the Cincinnati Symphony Club.

Thanks to all of our partners and supporters on JumpStart Theatre:

• Allstate Foundation

• Eleanora C.U. Alms Trust, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee

• ArtsWave

• Barnes Dennig

• Benefits Network Insurance

• Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights Aids

• Cincinnati Arts Association

• Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

• Community Arts Initiatives

• Duke Energy

• The Fine Schneider Charitable Fund

• The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

• Robert Greenblatt

• The Donald C. and Laura M. Harrison Family Foundation

• Hilton

• iTheatrics

• The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation

• Lila Gallimore Trust

• The H.B., E.W., and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and Narley L. Haley, co-trustees

• James and Lauren Miller

• Music Theatre International

• Ohio Arts Council

• The Daniel and Susan Pfau Foundation

• William O. Purdy, Jr.  Foundation Fund

• The Shubert Foundation

• Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

All of the individual donors