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 this year in Cincinnati, Ohio. To view previous updates, click here.
Class II announced. Thanks to the generous support of our funders, we were able to add three more schools to our pilot program for the 2016-17 school year. We are excited to announce our Class II schools:
- Felicity-Franklin Middle School, Felicity, Ohio
- Aiken New Tech High School, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Gilbert A. Dater High School, Cincinnati, Ohio
Read more here. They will attend an orientation this spring and select their shows before school lets out for the summer.
Bring up the curtain. The first JumpStart Theatre performances for the Class I schools are coming up next month (see below for dates)! The teachers and students have been hard at work, polishing their performances.
Mentor Dee Anne Bryll snapped a few photos to share during a recent rehearsal for Once On This Island, JR at Gamble. We can't wait to see these students in person!
Gamble Montessori student sings during rehearsal for Once On This Island.
Students practice their choreography during a rehearsal for Once On This Island at Gamble Montessori.
Bootcamp Dates 2016-2017. The Bootcamp training dates for the 2016-17 school year have been determined:
- Bootcamp 1: Friday, September 30, 9:00am-4:00pm.
- Bootcamp 2: Friday, January 27, 9:00am-4:00pm.
- Bootcamp 3: Friday, March 10, 9:00am-4:00pm.
Teachers from Class I and Class II schools will attend all three. The topics of each bootcamp will be similar to last year, but presented differently, in order to keep it fresh for Class I schools who attended the 2015-16 bootcamps.
Once again, the first Bootcamp (Sept. 30) will be open to any local teacher or artist as space allows. It will cover the basics of establishing a musical theatre program (choreography, blocking, etc). To watch a video of last year's open Bootcamp, click here. Those interested in attending may contact Ginny Butsch at gbutsch@schooltheatre.org to reserve their space.
JumpStart Theatre Showcase. The celebration at Xavier University on May 18 at 6:00pm will feature performances from all three Class I schools, followed by a reception sponsored by a Cincinnati favorite, Tom + Chee. If you’d like to join us, contact Ginny Butsch.
“The greatest art in the world is the art of storytelling.” Cecil B. DeMille
Here's another real-life example of the difference you have helped us make. This story comes to us from Deborah Hartlaub, Intervention Specialist at Finneytown Middle School.
We had our first rehearsals on the stage last week, so the kids are getting a feel for blocking and choreography. I am amazed at what our cast put together in just about two hours of work. The first run-through was a little rough, but they started watching each other and really getting into their characters and they are having a lot of fun. We added some choreography on Thursday, and by the time we were finished, I was in tears. I am so proud of what they have accomplished and the way they are embracing the process. We have one student who is VERY timid and quiet in class, who is doing a phenomenal job as The Cat, and another who has taken on choreography in a manner way beyond her years. I know the kids are having fun because we now have four teachers who are attending rehearsals voluntarily, just to help out and be a part of it. I'm so excited that I can't wait to get back from spring break to get back at it.
Performance Dates:
April 7-8, Holmes Middle School, Annie, JR
April 21-22, Finneytown Middle School, Honk! JR
April 22-23, James N. Gamble Montessori, Once On This Island, JR
May 18, JumpStart Theatre Showcase, Xavier University
Thanks to all of our partners and supporters on JumpStart Theatre: