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JumpStart Theatre Update 38: Back to School

By Ginny Butsch posted 09-07-2018 16:14

  

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. 

Back to School

The start of a brand new school year means the beginning of the JumpStart Theatre program for St. Louis and San Diego schools. St. Louis schools are in the midst of their "Back to School" events, introducing the idea of a musical to their students for the first time. One St. Louis school reported that 47 students signed up to be involved! San Diego schools return later this month and teachers are busy planning their own efforts to recruit student actors and crew. 

Wondering what might be involved in a "back to school" event? Usually a day or two before school officially begins, students are invited to the school for orientation and to learn more about the various programs, clubs and activities offered. Each group is provided a table or designated area to provide information. JumpStart Theatre provides some simple ideas to teachers about how to increase interest:

  • Play music from the show.

  • Have materials from the MTI ShowKit available to peruse.

  • Create a simple flyer about auditions or workshops.

  • Gather student and parent information to keep in touch.

  • Find an interesting visual element that relates to the show, such as rubber ducks for Honk! or sea shells forThe Little Mermaid.

Holmes students sign up to participate in the musical at a "Back to School" event

As a reminder, here are the shows each school will be introducing to their students during the 2018-19 school year:



Ripple Effects

The last few newsletters have highlighted the people and schools directly impacted by the JumpStart Theatre program. As we enter our fourth year, we have started to notice a ripple effect within the Cincinnati community as the program grows. Two individuals were unexpectedly inspired by JumpStart Theatre; they shared their success stories with us.

Jennifer Johnson, Research Assistant

Jennifer Johnson joined the JumpStart Theatre team in 2016, as a Research Assistant. Watching the teachers and students she observed put on a musical inspired her to take the stage for herself, and she landed the role of "Soupy Sue" in a summer production of Urinetown. Jennifer sent a message to the JumpStart Theatre team in Cincinnati:

“I was in my first-ever musical theatre production and the teaching team from Felicity drove all the way to Indiana to support me. You provided me with my first taste of theatre family and to have this team show this much love and support was nothing short of incredible. I thought my heart was going to explode. This goes to show that this program, though designed for the students, is just as bolstering for the adults involved. I wanted you all to know how thankful I am for these three wonderful women, this program, and the change it’s made in my life.”

Jennifer with Felicity-Franklin JumpStart Theatre teachers after a production of Urinetown

Lindsy Barrix, Conner Middle School

Conner Middle School, located in a rural area of Kentucky, was one of the first schools to apply for JumpStart Theatre in 2015. It was a tough decision not to accept them into the program but the selection committee saw strong leaders and advocates in Conner teachers, Lindsy Barrix and Laura Tallent. The pair had already started producing an extra-curricular musical at the school on their own, they just desired more guidance and support. They were encouraged to attend the bootcamps and took advantage of every opportunity, using their newfound knowledge to bring theatre into the school day curriculum.

Lindsy’s most recent email was thrilling. They introduced the bootcamp model to all middle school grades, and the following year, adapted their efforts so that each grade learned something new, ranging from theatre basics to Shakespeare. They even offered an advanced theatre class, where students were in charge of directing and performing an adaptation of Twelfth Night, with Lindsy and Laura serving solely as their guides. They won two 1st place awards at a local competition, for Theatre Tech and Acting. “I feel blessed about getting to keep my theater position in these troubled times and expand the program.”
 
Conner Middle School, Hebron, Kentucky, 2018 production of  Thoroughly Modern Millie

You're Invited!

Want to get a first-hand glimpse into the JumpStart Theatre program? Join us for the first Bootcamp of the year on Friday, September 28, 2018 from 9:00am-4:00pm. The Bootcamp will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio and will be led by Dee Anne Bryll and Becca Kloha Strand, veteran JumpStart Theatre mentors.

This unique professional development opportunity will cover the basics of teaching musical theatre in a fun and interactive manner. All of the current Cincinnati JumpStart Theatre teachers will attend, but it is also open to any interested educator, administrator, artist or professional. Attendance is complimentary, but space is limited. Guests must register in advance by emailing JumpStartTheatre@schooltheatre.org. You'll find a video from a previous bootcamp here.

Teachers participate in a JumpStart Theatre Bootcamp.

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

All of the individual donors

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