Open Forum

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.

Announcing the 2017-18 JumpStart Theatre season! We're excited to share the shows each of our nine schools have selected to produce next school year. 

Performance dates will be shared at a later time, but generally occur March-April.

How do schools select their shows? The number of available options to perform can be fairly overwhelming, so we've narrowed it down to a small selection of shows that are typically easier for beginners (directors AND performers!) to put together. Each year, we expand the number of options, including those that can allow more creativity and challenges to build up skills and confidence. Using the same list of shows also allows the JumpStart Theatre schools to share local resources and advice, building a community of support.

Getting the most out of your ShowKit. Our schools receive the materials from their selected show in the form of a ShowKit, thanks to Music Theatre International. Affectionately referred to as a "musical in a box," it contains just about everything you need to put on a musical. JumpStart Theatre partner, iTheatrics, recently posted a blog, sharing advice from their staff about how to get the most out of using a resource like a ShowKit.

Thank you to our mentors! Producing a musical is never easy. It's hard work with unexpected challenges and surprises. Occasionally, directors can be faced with tough situations that need a fresh perspective. That's where our JumpStart Theatre mentors really shine. Dee Anne Bryll and Becca Kloha Strand visit each school periodically to observe rehearsals and provide guidance as needed. Additionally, they make themselves available to answer emails, phone calls, or even chat over coffee, going above and beyond their expected duties.

Dee Anne Bryll, Becca Kloha Strand

For example, in the midst of rehearsals a couple short months ago, Dee Anne met with one of the JumpStart Theatre teachers at a bookstore for a little over two hours in order to talk through the show and gather suggestions for several staging and rehearsal concerns. They worked through the script together, solving placement issues and transitions, identifying instances for costume changes and more.

They also discussed a specific problem the cast was having: students being too critical of each other and placing a lot of emphasis on success, resulting in hurt feelings and negative attitudes. Dee Anne suggested writing positive quotes on the board in the rehearsal room, as well as a plan for what would be accomplished each day. She asked that at the end of the rehearsal, each student  say something positive about what another student did.

This inspired the teacher to take it a step further and hand each student a piece of paper with another student's name on it. She would then instruct them to watch that student and at the end of the rehearsal, they would tell the cast what that individual did really well that day.

Afterwards, Dee Anne reflected on the meeting. "It was very nice to be able to meet with this teacher. I will let everyone know that is always an option. It gives us a better idea of how we can help support the teachers and students."

Mentors as passionate and caring as Dee Anne and Becca are certainly one of our keys to success!

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

• Community Arts Initiatives

• Duke Energy

• The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

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

• Hilton

• iTheatrics

• The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation

• James and Lauren Miller

• Music Theatre International

• Ohio Arts Council

• The Daniel and Susan Pfau Foundation

• William O. Purdy, Jr.  Foundation Fund

• Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

• All of the individual donors