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 this year in Cincinnati, Ohio. To view previous updates, click here.

Fieldtrip to The Wiz: Earlier in the month, a local magnet arts school, the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) invited the JumpStart teachers and students to their final dress rehearsal of The Wiz, an urban retelling of The Wizard of Oz. It was the first live performance for many of the students and they thoroughly enjoyed the experience, cheering loudly for their peers at the end of the show. Brittany Vancini, a teacher from Holmes, described it as “phenomenal” and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to attend. A backstage tour was offered following the performance. SCPA students also assisted with last year’s Showcase, leading improv games during the reception. Thank you, SCPA!

JumpStart teachers and students wait for the show to start.

Enthusiastic applause for SCPA!

Audition updates: We’ve been hearing terrific feedback from our schools as they begin audition workshops. Bizzy Robertson, from Felicity-Franklin Middle School shared, “Our audition workshop went quite well, we had 76 students attend! We discussed the play and our expectations, played a warm-up name game, divided into groups for some scene building skills (tableaus) and listened to the opening piece for Honk! JR. The kids seemed to really enjoy themselves and I know we did!”

Gamble Montessori recently started rehearsals for Annie JR and reported that last year, they had four parents attend a parents’ meeting about the play, but this year, they had 20! They are excited to put their new group of volunteers to work.

Aiken New Tech High School has incorporated the production into their class schedule and Dee Anne (Artistic Program Manager) observed a class and relayed that the students seem very prepared for auditions and have fantastic energy.

Applications open for Class III: Know a school who needs a theatre program? We’re now accepting applications for Class III, beginning 2017-18 school year. Interested schools should complete an application online prior to February 1. Finalists will be contacted for a site visit and interview.

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

• Allstate Foundation

• ArtsWave

• Barnes Dennig

• Community Arts Initiatives

• The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

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

• Hilton

• iTheatrics

• The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation

• Music Theatre International

• Ohio Arts Council

• The Daniel and Susan Pfau Foundation

• William O. Purdy, Jr.  Foundation Fund

• All of the individual donors