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.
Early Enthusiasm in Maryland
JumpStart Theatre regional partner, Mountain City Center for the Arts (MCCA) in Frostburg, Maryland, recently selected their first three schools for the program. Northern Middle School asked MCCA to visit before the end of the school year and make a presentation to approximately two hundred 6th and 7th graders about JumpStart Theatre to help generate excitement for the fall. MCCA brought 14 of their own theatre students and staff members to lead songs, games and a Q&A. The students loved the experience and were already eager to sign up!
What is your proudest accomplishment?
We asked JumpStart Theatre teachers to tell us what they were most of proud of accomplishing this year and the responses were too inspiring not to share. It is clear that the educators involved in this program benefit just as much as their students.
"Our final performances were the most proud I have been in my 18 years of teaching. I really wasn't sure if we would pull it together and they did so much more than that!"
"This was a huge undertaking and I felt that we were very successful. The musical was a big hit at the school and the kids had fun!"
"I am most proud of the kids really taking the show on and doing most of it themselves towards the end. I also love the way our show was organized from the beginning to the end. We are getting into a really good flow of production."
"My proudest accomplishment was building a program! The night of the showcase we all went back to school and waited outside for parents to pick up their children. The kids were already talking about plans for next year and how it was going to be so much fun! We did it; we really did it!"
"Watching how the kids came together as one cohesive unit to put on the production and their elation with the final product."
"My proudest accomplishment is seeing the family that my cast, my kids, our program has created for these kids. Knowing that they have a safe place and are comfortable enough to truly be themselves is something I can never forget."
Congratulations 2019 Graduates!
Three more schools graduated from the JumpStart Theatre program this spring after successfully completing their three years, all from the Cincinnati region. Dater High School, Felicity-Franklin Middle School, and Aiken New Tech High School join 2018 graduates, Finneytown Middle School, Holmes Middle School, and Gamble Montessori High School. They are excited to continue sustaining their theatre programs using the tools, training, and resources they received during their time in JumpStart Theatre.
Thanks to all the JumpStart Theatre Partners and Supporters
