Wizard Casts Spell Over Broadway Stage

On the sixth day of the sixth month of the sixth year of the Broadway "JR" experience for NYC's middle schools, 600 children from 15 schools each performed a sample song from shows in the Broadway "JR" Collection. The children were welcomed by Master of Ceremonies Daniel Radcliffe (think Harry Potter) ... (think pandemonium!)

In his films, Harry performs wizardry. Daniel's (uh, Harry's) wizardry of the cinematic world brings beloved books to screen life, but on Monday, he bore witness to a new "magic" alchemy; viz.: schools totally lacking in arts programs were converted into fully arts-integrated schools in six years ... a short time to change their worlds (without any U.S. Department of Education support).

In New York City, a group of people from the public and private sectors work together with common purpose, resilience and tenacity. The Department of Education (responsible for one million school students in New York City), The Shubert Organization and The Shubert Foundation (whose generosity of spirit and vision served as a premiere funder and supporter for the City's Public School Arts Program) and Music Theatre International, the company I head and the conceptualizer of the Junior Program as well as the creator of the special materials geared for pre-high schoolers to "put on a show."

Additionally, show specific cross-curricula materials are provided to tie into required school subjects while still exposing the children to theatre, music, dance, visual arts. Children learn how to work collaboratively with each other and with their teachers. Their 2011 payoff this year came two times: first, when they performed for their colleagues in their own schools to standing ovations and parental tears and hugs; second, when they walked onto the magical, mystical Harry Potter-esque Great White Way viz.: Broadway and the stage of the Majestic Theatre ... surrounded by gold leaf cherubs, red velvet and crystal chandeliers. They may never again appear on Broadway, but for the rest of their lives, their parents, siblings, friends and Twitter and FaceBook buddies will all know they got to perform on Broadway! (A heady experience.)

Middle school kids are at an age considered tough to teach. But these kids energetically sang, danced and made their own magic in this magical setting. The audience heard songs from Suessical Jr., Guys and Dolls Jr., Disney's High School Musical II Jr., Disney's Aladdin Jr., Annie Jr., Once On This Island Jr. and Into The Woods Jr..

You heard shouts of: "Awesome! Amazing! OMG! Go for it!" as each school applauded respectfully for the other schools.

The entire event was smoothly choreographed by iTheatrics, a strategic partner and collaborator with MTI and the DOE which provides workshops for teachers.

-- and --

How do you help kids if you can't teach teachers how to teach musical theatre and the arts? Teaching teachers who have no background in the arts how they are to teach children who also have no background in the arts is daunting! iTheatrics makes it happen.

- and -

The ArtsConnection, which has been part of the NYC private/public sector delivers young professional mentors from the field of theatre during the rehearsal and preparation process. These mentors regularly visit the schools, help the teachers, answer questions and guide teachers as they prepare for their performances at each school location. Over the course of two or three years, schools are weaned from these mentors/guides as the program becomes self-sustainable. This is the measurement of success. This means the arts have been integrated into one more school and community ... and the program has been successfully insinuated into the local community.

The children who participate in the shows and backstage grow in confidence as well as skill. Parents perceive their children in a new way and are proud. Teachers work longer and harder during the process and work in teacher pods sharing frustrations and, ultimately, sharing in the joy and satisfaction that comes from knowing they made a difference. Younger students in each school demand to see the show and subsequently they ask to perform in a school musical as well! OMG! It's happening ...

Inner-city schools of America, send your representatives to New York. Watch, learn and adapt this template because Harry Potter will tell you it does not take a magic wand to pull this off. It's just about being committed to hard work, staying the course and not being afraid to fail.

I doubt if you'll read this story in a newspaper or see it on the evening news because it isn't scandalous or tabloid-worthy. Government studies with blue chip, well-meaning, gifted and highly qualified people on panels write reports about the arts and education (specious arguments and delays). This wizardly program is: "Don't Wait For Help, Get It Done, Leave No Teacher Behind, Leave No School Behind." JUST DO IT.

Reports over the years from teachers, administrators, parents and others (more than 60,000 productions of "JR." musicals in America so far and counting) extol the value of the performing arts in the lives of their kids. Truancy rates diminish, attention spans improve, reading skills escalate and children mature. Mutuality of respect for each other emerges and communication skills improve. Enthusiasm for attending school emerges as a microcosm of a functioning society develops. Children learn about difficult subjects based on the content of the musicals. For example: The New Deal, The Great Depression, FDR, Herbert Hoover, Hoovervilles, Orphanages, child abuse, substance abuse -- all from one little show called Annie Jr. And they learn, not from a lecture but rather through being immersed in experiential learning. This is education. This is for a better America.

The children told us so.

They sang to the assembled audience: "Children will listen."*

Perhaps America should now listen to the children!

Freddie Gershon

* Into The Woods Jr.

 

 

 

Comments

[Deborah Hartnett]

03:04 PM on 06/17/2011

The Broadway Junior(R) program is the result of a stroke of genius. It's one of those things that seem obvious now but evidently not -- theater has been around for more than 2000 years and as far as I know there was no such thing as Lysistrata Jr. or Antigone Kids. I've attended several Broadway Junior events and they never fail to move and inspire. Seeing students of all backgrounds working together to put on a show, even in the face of budget cuts and antipathy to the arts, gives one hope. There have been lots of articles written in recent months about the beneficial effects of the arts -- whether as participant or audience member -- on one's health and welfare, and one can only hope that those in charge of funding will see the wisdom in providing more funding to continue giving kids a chance to collaborate, work toward a common goal, fund raise for something they believe in. And, of course, have fun!

[bpwinter]

01:14 PM on 06/17/2011

My parents pulled me out of my local public school system many years ago because the system was cutting the arts program. At the time, it made no sense to me, but now that I am older and (slightly) wiser, I could not imagine sending my children to a school without an arts program.

I'm so thrilled that this program exists in New York, and I can't help but wonder how many lives, directly or extended, it has touched. I can only hope it's the first step towards the eventual expansion of this program to a much broader audience, in NYC and beyond.

[Roberta Remy]

05:45 PM on 06/15/2011

Bravo to Freddie for using all his many talents and giving back so that these kids can express their otherwise unheard talents.

[myqs]

01:16 PM on 06/15/2011

What a great program. My grandson is going to middke school in Davis, CA and will be joining the drama club next year. I hope their program will be as inspirational as this one.

[DrewFromNY]

09:20 PM on 06/10/2011

I did read about this event, actually, on MTIShowSpace.com, and I loved seeing the faces of the kids in attendance. It looked like they were both mesmerized by Harry Potter and bursting with pride at performing in a Broadway Theater. But what you are saying is absolutely correct--this is about much more than fleeting stardom, it is about instilling a sense of community, confidence and accomplishment in these children and that will last them a lifetime. Plus, the teachers are learning too, something that NO STUDENT LEFT BEHIND did not address. Bravo, kudos, and every similar word of praise!

[DeloresInLA]

06:30 PM on 06/10/2011

This program sounds just fabulous!! How do we get it started in here LA? All of the people involved are to be commended for doing something postive for our youth. BRAVO!!

[TimiTheatrics]

05:11 PM on 06/10/2011

What a fantastic summary of not only the day's events, but the entire program. To think that 6 years ago these schools had no definable musical theatre arts program in their schools and are now tackling Sonheim? Amazing. The program is a testament to the power of collaborations. Freddie brought together the New York City Department of Education, the Shubert Foundation, with Arts Connection and iTheatrics to form a unique and successful venture. This is a program that is cost-effective AND sustainable. Kudos Freddie for your vision, drive and wisdom!

[GretaG]

03:42 PM on 06/10/2011

Bravo Freddie G,
All I can say is superb program - wish I were a kid again.

This JR program will not only enable youngers to use the creative side of their minds, but give them an opportunity to overcome their inhibitions, e.g., speaking singing in front of audiences, working together use and develop their skills in writing, prioritizing, etc. It gives young people and incentive to get up and get to School.
Maybe create the next generation of "SONDHEIMS"?
Isn't it rich?

[RussellCharles]

02:52 PM on 06/10/2011

The Broadway JR program is just fantastic. No doubt it has helped many young people stay off drugs and out of gangs. I applaude the NYC schools for being involved. Now if we could get the Department of Education to encourage these programs around the country, think what a difference it would make for our future!

[Dietrich Nelson]

02:29 PM on 06/10/2011

Mr. Gershon, thank you for your comments on Broadway "JR." The opportunity of six hundred middle school kids to perform on the Majestic Theater stage will be long remembered throughout their lives. Kudos to DOE, MTI, iTheatrics and everyone involved in this valuable program. Great article!

[Jason Cocovinis]

02:21 PM on 06/10/2011

This was my third year sitting in the audience of the "Student Share" event, and I was once again amazed and delighted by the outpouring of support each school showed towards each other. In the midst of the nerves and excitement of performing on Broadway, the students still had the energy and focus to applaud, shout and revel in their classmates' talents.

[MaggieTucker]

02:05 PM on 06/10/2011

Teaching our children to work together through programs such as this is brilliant. Just think of how this could change the world if every student was exposed to such an opportunity. Thank you to all who make this happen!

[RubyMarcel]

01:56 PM on 06/10/2011

I can imagine more than a few young lives were changed for the better becuase of this program.

[Roberta Greene]

01:34 PM on 06/10/2011

OMG! What a thrill it must be for all who participate in this program. As a former music teacher, I thank you for persisting in keeping the arts alive in a difficult economic environment. And as a mother and grandmother, I couldn't stop smiling as I read your blog. YOU cast a spell over me!

[Allison Ravenscroft]

01:27 PM on 06/10/2011

This is a truly amazing program. Seeing those students perform on Broadway is the best show I have seen all year. Thank you Freddie for this article. It's wonderful to see students and teachers working together towards the common of putting on a musical (and building an arts program in schools) and it's inspiring to know that all these different organziations, public and private, have partnered to create this opportunity.