www.backstage.com: Most theater aficionados can recall with delight their first theater experience. On Thursday, Jan. 24, Broadway’s Palace Theatre will be filled with over 2,500 New York City public school students, many of whom will be seeing their first Broadway performances. Inside Broadway, a leading arts education not-for-profit, is partnering with the Broadway revival of “Annie” to offer two free “Creating the Magic” events to local children.
3 comments:
Education and theater have often worked hand-in-hand, and I don't think you could find anyone who would disagree with this type of initiative. I really do think that both kids and actors benefit from this. Kids get introduced to an art form they might have never seen before, and a discussion of a show works can be a very valuable learning experience. By putting on this sort of show-and-tell activity, performers and technicians to connect with an audience and be reminded that inspiring spectators is such an essential and rewarding part of their career. I remember my high school theater would hold a free preview performance for elementary school students from the area; the kids would ask us all questions afterwards, and it really was a cool experience to show them something new and fun.
This is good to see, as there are still many areas of the country where funding for the arts in schools is minimal. Even if kids don't plan to pursue theatre, take up theatre as a hobby, or even like it very much at all, it is important to be exposed to everything. That way they can pick what they enjoy, and they are not being pushed into knowing only one set of things. It may be difficult for some parents to let go of their children not always pursuing what they have loved, but it is vital for everyone to carve their own path.
I remember the first time I saw a show on Broadway, and I wish that I had been exposed to it earlier and in a school setting. I saw my first Broadway production after saving up my own money and going on a bus trip with some of my friends after I'd already grown an interest in theatre. The children who attend public schools in New York are very, very lucky to have such an opportunity to be exposed to such a fascinating art form so early in life. It wasn't until middle school that I even found a slight interest in theatre and entertainment. Who would have known where I might be now if I'd started my passion at an earlier age. Exposure to the arts, and especially something so complex and (to many children) alien in it's differences from daily life is healthy not only for their present creativity, but their future views of the world. I hope that programs of this sort continue on through my lifetime, and that eventually, every major city in the US offers its' schoolchildren a free theatrical or musical performance.
Post a Comment