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.
Curtain up!
March was a busy and exciting month for JumpStart Theatre Cincinnati with eight of the nine schools performing. They all put on stellar productions and were rewarded with enthusiastic applause from large audiences, including fellow students, teachers, extended families, as well as interested and supportive community members.
First up was Roberts Academy with Schoolhouse Rock Live! JR.
Next came Finneytown Middle School with Seussical JR.
Followed by Holmes Middle School with The Little Mermaid JR.
Aiken New Tech High School was next with Seussical JR.
Dater High School then performed Once on This Island JR.
Clark Montessori opened their production of Schoolhouse Rock Live! JR.
Gamble Montessori completed Into the Woods JR.
Felicity-Franklin Middle School rounded out the month with The Music Man JR.
Last chance! Oyler School performs Annie JR. on April 6 at 5:00 p.m. This is your final opportunity to see a JumpStart Theatre school performance during the 2017-2018 school year.
Congratulations Gamble Montessori!
In February, we shared information about R.I.S.E. America, a grant program offered through a partnership between NBC and the Educational Theatre Foundation. Nearly 1,000 schools from across the nation applied in the hopes of receiving one of 50 $10,000 grants.
We are delighted to announce that a JumpStart Theatre school, Gamble Montessori High School, was one of the recipients. They will use the grant to make improvements to their facilities and to extend theatre opportunities to upperclassmen.
Gamble Principal, Jack Jose, learns the good news.
National Expansion News
The school application process has closed in JumpStart Theatre expansion cities San Diego and St. Louis. The teams in each location are eagerly evaluating and interviewing the candidates for the 2018-2019 school year. They plan to announce their school selections in April.
Save the date
Cincinnati's third annual JumpStart Theatre Showcase will be held on Tuesday, May 1 at 6:00 p.m. in the beautiful Memorial Hall. Each school will perform a number from their show, and the evening will conclude with a reception and theatre games for the students. The event will be free and open to the public, but reservations are required. If you are interested in attending, please contact Ginny Butsch.
Aiken students perform at the 2017 showcase.
A round of applause...
We would like to express sincere appreciation for the generous grant recently received from the H. B., E. W., and F. R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and Narley L. Haley, co-trustees. This grant will assist us as we complete the third year and start the fourth year of the JumpStart Theatre pilot program in Cincinnati.
Thanks to all of our partners and supporters on JumpStart Theatre:
All of the individual donors
