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.
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National Expansion News
Application deadlines are quickly approaching for JumpStart Theatre in San Diego and St. Louis, and next month they will conduct on-site interviews with the finalist schools!
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La Jolla Playhouse secured a featured article in the Times of San Diego, featuring a quote from the Superintendent of San Diego Unified School District.
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Rehearsal Updates
The nine Cincinnati schools are currently gathering the technical elements of their productions. Roberts Academy invested in creating rehearsal cubes. A handy volunteer built the boxes for about $10 each. As those familiar with the theatre world know, rehearsal cubes are a great choice because they can serve a variety of purposes, are fairly easy to store and can be reused over and over again.
Aiken used an idea from one of the Bootcamps, assigning two groups of students to work on different numbers, then perform them for each other. The applause from each group after their performance was motivating and inspiring. They are also excited to have arranged transportation so that they can perform for their local elementary schools!
Teachers at Felicity-Franklin reported to their mentor that, since beginning their theatre program, they have noticed big improvements in behavior, grades and confidence among their student performers and technicians.
Clark Montessori rehearsing Schoolhouse Rock Live! JR.
Mentor Susan Jung praised Finneytown for an effective practice implemented by director, Janet Cain. After a brief discussion following rehearsal, Janet passed out a self-assessment sheet with all the songs listed on it. She asked the students to rate their confidence level with each song to help her determine what areas of the show still needed the most work.
Schools are focusing on the importance of characterization, creating a fictional character by using their voice and body. The JumpStart Theatre mentors have given the teachers a variety of activities to encourage their students. One activity is "Body Centers," a game that involves walking around the room while leading with different parts of the body. Another asks students to sing songs from their show as over-the-top characters like cowboys, cheerleaders, or librarians.
Community Involvement
The Cincinnati community is rallying around the JumpStart Theatre schools as awareness of the program increases. Community support is an integral part of increasing sustainability, especially as the first class of schools will complete their time in JumpStart Theatre at the end of the school year. A few examples:
College-Conservatory of Music Preparatory made a generous offer to open up their storage of costumes and props for the schools to borrow.
Scrap It Up, a nonprofit creative reuse center, has invited the schools to peruse a large variety of material that could help them create various theatrical items for their productions. |
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Students modeling borrowed costumes.
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John Jung, an experienced teacher/director who works with several local schools, graciously offered Oyler School the props, costumes, and set pieces they still needed for Annie JR., even donating some body mics, much to the surprise and appreciation of the Oyler teachers.
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Oyler tech crew and teacher, Tony Gargano, sort mics.
A number of professional and community theatres have offered to allow the schools to attend a dress rehearsal of an upcoming production free of charge, granting students more exposure to the field.
R.I.S.E. America
JumpStart Theatre's mission is to create sustainable theatre programs in middle schools that previously had none. In this same spirit of growing impact and sustainability of educational theatre programs nationwide, NBC partnered with the Educational Theatre Foundation to award $10,000 grants to 50 high schools to enable them to enhance or revitalize their theatre programs. NBC funded this program as it prepares to launch a new show, Rise, a drama about the transformational impact of a high school theatre program, inspired by a real-life story, which premieres March 13, 2018.
This grant program is titled R.I.S.E. America, for Recognizing and Inspiring Student Expression. Schools nationwide did "rise" to the occasion to tell their stories, with nearly 1,000 applications received overall, representing all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. The stories they told were varied but compelling and demonstrated a deep and widespread commitment to growing theatre opportunities for students. Schools can use the grant money to cover various critical needs, from master classes to production expenses.
The 50 winning schools will be announced in early March, with some featured in publicity efforts by NBC in conjunction with the Rise show.
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Save the Date!
Cincinnati's third annual JumpStart Theatre Showcase will be held on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 6:00pm in the beautiful Memorial Hall. The event will be free and open to the public, but reservations will be required. Stay tuned for more information!
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 Dater students perform at the 2017 Showcase.
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Make plans to attend a performance and support the
Cincinnati JumpStart Theatre schools!
Thanks to all of our partners and supporters on JumpStart Theatre:
All of the individual donors