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 Leaps to National Stage
The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) announced that Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment, made a sizable personal donation to EdTA earmarked for JumpStart Theatre. The donation facilitates expansions in St. Louis and San Diego through partnerships with STAGES St. Louis and the La Jolla Playhouse in La Jolla, California.
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In making the announcement Mr. Greenblatt said, “I’m extremely proud to be getting in on JumpStart Theatre from the ground floor. As someone whose life was fundamentally enriched by a robust theatre program in my high school in Rockford, Illinois, I believe that bringing theatre to young people in as many schools as possible is vital. We know the powerful social and developmental benefits that kids get from the arts, and it’s up to us to fill in the gaps as public and government funding becomes more scarce. I can’t imagine how different my life and career would be had I not grown up with theatre and music, and if I can help bring that to other kids across the country nothing would make me happier.”
Additionally, The Shubert Foundation recently announced a grant to support the expansion of the JumpStart Theatre program. In making the award Michael I. Sovern, president of The Shubert Foundation said, “The Shubert Foundation is proud and excited to help further this worthy endeavor.” It is the first time The Shubert Foundation has given a grant to an educational program outside of New York City.
Of the JumpStart Theatre partnership, Jack Lane, Executive Producer of STAGES stated, “In our many years of providing education and outreach and being so profoundly moved by its transformative powers, we feel JumpStart Theatre is a natural fit for STAGES.”
“The opportunity to be an inaugural regional partner for JumpStart Theatre is an honor. To bring the joy of musical theatre to students and teachers in our community while building life skills through participation in the arts could not be a better fit for the Playhouse,” said La Jolla Playhouse Managing Director Michael S. Rosenberg.
Mr. Greenblatt added, “I hope my gift will encourage other theatre and television professionals, or anyone who values young kids having access to the arts, to join me in supporting this great program.”
Read more about the expansion:
St. Louis Post Dispatch
Playbill
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JumpStart Theatre Research Project completes second year of data analysis
The three-year JumpStart Theatre Research Project in Cincinnati has now completed its second year in 4 participating schools: Holmes Middle School, Finneytown Middle School, Gamble Montessori High School, and Felicity-Franklin Middle School. The project, conducted by the Centers for Research on Creativity (CRoC), is measuring the student impact of JumpStart Theatre in 8 socio-emotional areas: creative problem solving, creative efficacy, collaboration, critical thinking, empathy, originality, creative fluency, and creativity in inventing.
The second-year quantitative data found that, overall, students at the 4 JumpStart Theatre research schools consistently outperformed non-participating students in all socio-emotional measures, before and after the program. The qualitative observation data indicated that JumpStart Theatre students demonstrated growth in their creativity, collaboration, self-confidence, ability to adapt, and sense of community.
Individually, the data noted the following at each school:
- Holmes students demonstrated significant gains in creative problem solving and critical thinking.
- Finneytown students experienced a significant gain in creative fluency.
- Gamble students showed significant gains in creative problem solving, creative self-efficacy, and collaboration.
- Felicity students (year-one school) out-performed non-participating students on all eight measured areas.
The complete report is available at Capturing Student and Teacher Creative Growth through the After-School JumpStart Theatre Program: Year Two Report.
Break a leg!
Auditions are taking place at the Cincinnati JumpStart Theatre schools throughout the next few weeks. Clark Montessori teachers have been instructing their students in basic choreography and music as part of a special class.
They asked students to audition by singing a song of their choice and reading a scene from the play they’ve selected, Schoolhouse Rock Live! JR. Mentor Dee Anne was pleased by their confidence and preparation.
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Join us next week for the Second Annual JumpStart Theatre Breakfast
Benefitting EdTA's JumpStart Theatre program and featuring stories and updates about the impact of this unique program on underserved schools in Cincinnati.
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Tuesday, December 5, 2017
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Thanks to all of our partners and supporters on JumpStart Theatre:
