blumenthal performing arts education department

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Education Department

Our Mission: To enrich individuals and communities

within the Greater Charlotte Region through exposure to and involvement in

the performing arts

We are committed to providing excellent programs for…

SCHOOLS

STUDENTS

ADULTS & FAMILIES

Last year we served more than 27,000 individuals.

PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS


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AIM Program

The Arts Integration Model (AIM) program is a systematic program for K–5 students, integrating both performing and visual arts in the teaching of core curriculum subjects (e.g. a science lesson on sound employing music and musical instruments). AIM has received national recognition as a Kennedy Center Partners in Education “Successful Program Model.” We currently partner with three elementary schools (Ida Rankin and Sherwood

in Gaston County and Benton Heights in Union County) in providing local teaching artists to teach classes and model arts-integrated lessons for regular classroom teachers. During the 2010-2011 school year we served 1893 students by providing a total of 157 class lessons taught by seventeen contracted teaching artists.


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School Shows & Transportation Subsidy for CMS and Gaston County Schools

With the reality of severe cuts in school fine arts budgets, the Blumenthal’s Education team seeks to help fill the gap by providing “school shows” for Charlotte area schools. (A school show is a weekday matinee mini-performance of a Blumenthal-presented

show that typically has evening and weekend performances for the general public.) Specific grade levels are targeted for each show in accordance with show content and educational opportunities. Examples of recent school show performances include internationally acclaimed

dance companies, MOMIX and GARTH FAGAN DANCE, OMIMEO: BLACK LIGHT MAGIC and Charlotte’s own Northwest School of the Arts production of THE MUSIC MAN. Current school year shows include (but not be limited to) the phenomenal extreme action group, STREB DANCE; JOHN TARTAGLIA’S IMAGINOCEAN, a one-of-a-kind black light puppet show; and PILOBOLUS DANCE THEATER, renowned for its highly

imaginative and athletic performances.

Thanks to an ASC Education Support Grant received last year (and renewed for the current school year), Blumenthal implemented a School Show Transportation Subsidy for financially-strapped CMS schools. This subsidy, which actually pays all transportation expenses, enabled us to triple the number of school shows during the 2010-11 school year over the previous year and achieve an average student/teacher registration of 92% of total seating capacity. Our actual average attendance was 80% of total seating capacity, for a total of almost 7.000 attendees. This year, a grant from The Doctor Family Foundation has allowed us to extend our transportation to Gaston County schools.


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Broadway 101

A Doctor Family Foundation gift enabled us to hire Broadway marketing and development consultant, Philip Katz to develop a web-based, interactive curriculum program specifically for Charlotte area high school theatre classes. Among other structured activities, students observe interviews with creators, performers, designers and producers of Broadway shows. Broadway 101 provides key information and resources for discovering how Broadway shows come to life. We piloted the program in the fall of 2010 with teachers selected from five

area high schools. Following completion of the pilot period, we met with the teachers collectively to assess the curriculum. In addition to expressing approval and great appreciation for the program, our pilot teachers offered several helpful recommendations for refining the curriculum. On March 1, 2011 we held a curriculum workshop for five additional Charlotte area high school teachers. A third teacher workshop is planned for November.


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Broadway Junior Theatre Celebration Broadway Junior Theater Celebration is a unique, fun, all-day learning experience for musical theatre performance groups from area elementary and middle schools. To be eligible for participation, a school must have recently presented at their home venue a production adapted for children by Music Theater International (MTI). Following each group’s brief presentation of a musical scene, a distinguished panel of theatre professionals from New York’s musical theatre training organization, iTheatrics provides positive, instructive feedback. Students also participate in several voice, dance, and acting workshops. (The Blumenthal has been a collaborating partner with MTI and iTheatrics on its Broadway Junior initiative since 2004.) Six hundred fifty students and teachers from 17 schools participated in BJTC 2010.

The program was held at the Blumenthal’s beautiful Knight Theater. This year’s event (April 12 and 13, 2011) grew to 1204 students and teachers from 27 schools, necessitating an additional day of performances and workshops.

For the present school year, thanks again to The Doctor Family Foundation, we

provided MTI “show kits” for 33 schools that could not afford them. Each kit includes a professionally orchestrated accompaniment CD along with scripts and sheet music, a teacher’s guide book and other helpful materials.

Nine weeks prior to BJTC 2011, three members of the iTheatrics team joined us in

providing a special workshop for area elementary school teachers who were unfamiliar with the MTI program. Eighteen teachers from 15 schools participated—learning key ingredients for developing a quality children’s musical program.


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Master Classes

The Education Department hosts numerous master classes and workshops led by performing artists who come to Charlotte for multiple-performance engagements

with the Blumenthal. In addition to Blumenthal venues, master classes and workshops are held at local campuses and other community sites. Performers typically demonstrate various aspects of their art form and lead attendees in participatory activities e.g. warm-up exercises and routines. Participants usually receive discount ticket vouchers for a Blumenthal performance featuring a

corresponding class or workshop artist(s).

During world renowned GARTH FAGAN DANCE COMPANY’s stay in Charlotte, we sponsored separate master classes for dance students at four high schools and three colleges. We also provided a session for local middle school and high school dance teachers. At each class one of Fagan’s dancers verbally instructed participants as a second dancer demonstrated each movement and routine. A total of 180 local students and teachers participated in the eight master classes.


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The Blumey Awards

Blumenthal Performing Arts High School Musical Theater Awards

Patterned after Broadway’s Tony® Awards and loosely linked to similar regional programs around the country, the first annual Blumey Awards Ceremony is set for May 20, 2012 in Blumenthal’s beautiful Belk Theater. With dynamic, live student

performances, this wonderful event will recognize, reward and encourage talent and achievement in musical theater among high school students. High schools eligible to apply for participation in this new regional competition include those within the 16 counties that make up the Greater Charlotte Region. Prior

to the ceremony, a performance of each participating school’s spring musical at their respective home venues will be viewed and evaluated by a panel of three judges. In addition to awarding points according to detailed guidelines, each judge will produce performance and production commentaries for each school. The awards process will recognize outstanding achievement in the following areas: overall production and direction, individual performance, ensemble/chorus, orchestra, choreography, costume creation, set construction, and lighting .


**Pictures other representing regional awards programs

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Programming Serendipities

The Education Department takes advantage of unanticipated opportunities to sponsor and co-sponsor special events and activities.

In November 2010, we teamed up with our Marketing Department to host an unusual and exciting event. We invited theatre and music students from several local high schools to observe local radio personality, Mike Collins interview two of the boys who play the role of Billy in BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL. Collins also interviewed Lee Hall, book and lyrics writer for the musical (writer for the earlier Billy Elliot film). Three hundred fifty-six students

were present in Booth Play House for the interview. We were able to expand the reach of this event by webcasting it to theatre and dance classes at nine other middle and high schools.


PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS


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Student Affinity Groups—Charlotte Live!

Blumenthal Affinity Groups are informal social clubs consisting of members who enjoy making new friends and attending great Blumenthal performances. Members enjoy free pre- or post-show mixers plus discounts on show tickets. There are no dues, no officers and no requirements. The Education Department plans and coordinates activities for three student affinity groups: Charlotte Live—College, Charlotte Live—High School and Charlotte Live—Middle School.

From January 2011 until the present we have hosted 18 Charlotte Live pre-show mixers in conjunction with performances of the following: BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, IN THE HEIGHTS, MOMIX: BOTANICA, DRUMLINE LIVE, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, GARTH FAGAN DANCE, AVENUE Q, BLUE MAN GROUP, CATS, SHREK THE MUSICAL, NEXT TO NORMAL, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, and WEST SIDE STORY.

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The Broadway Experience

Funded entirely by The Doctor Family Foundation, this annual program provides twelve talented, industrious, economically challenged students from Charlotte area high schools with an all-expenses-paid, Broadway-intensive weekend in NYC. The intent is to affirm the students in their artistic potential, engage them in numerous aspects of Broadway production, and inform them of opportunities available in and through the performing arts. In addition to experiencing two Broadway shows, students are treated to a backstage tour, and they meet with select cast members, theater crew members, and/or production executives.

We piloted this program in 2010 by interviewing 24 students from six high schools who were nominated by their theatre and/or music teachers. Expanding the selection process for the 2011 adventure (March 25 – 27), we

selected this year’s fortunate twelve from 45 students nominated from 15 high schools. Participants were treated to the enchanting musical, Wonderland and the highly acclaimed and riveting play, Warhorse.


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The Blumenthal Experience

Students nominated for The Broadway Experience but not selected for the New York adventure are invited to a fun yet intensive day of discovery at the Blumenthal. As with the Broadway Experience, the Blumenthal Experience is free to participants. Activities include a tour of all six Blumenthal theaters, discussions with Blumenthal professionals, a performance-based or theatre-related workshop, attending a touring Broadway show and a post-show discussion with cast members.

This year’s Blumenthal Experience was February 16. Thirty-one students participated. The special program culminated with the touring Broadway musical, IN THE HEIGHTS—one of the shows included in the Blumenthal’s 2010-11 Duke Energy Broadway Lights Series.

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Mary Doctor Performing Arts Scholarship Fund

Thanks to The Doctor Family Foundation, this renewable scholarship fund was created to significantly assist arts-talented, Charlotte area high school seniors attend college. For the first two years of the fund’s existence, scholarship recipients were chosen from among students participating in The Broadway Experience. Beginning in 2012, the number of potential scholarship candidates will increase greatly as the primary requirement for application eligibility is shifted from participation in The Broadway Experience to participation in The Blumey Awards (described earlier).

Our 2010 scholarship recipients were Devante Lawrence and Brianna Billiot, both of Porter Ridge High School in Indian Trail. The scholarship amount awarded to each was $10,000, renewable for four years. Devante is at New

York University’s Tisch School of the Arts pursuing a B.A. in Acting, and Brianna is at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia working toward a B.A. in Theatre Arts. Our 2011 renewable scholarship recipients (also receiving $10,000 each) are

Mandy Wagoner of East Gaston High, pursuing a teaching degree in Theatre Arts at UNC Greensboro and Morgan Wilson of North West School of the Arts, pursuing a BFA in Dance at The Boston Conservatory.


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Ticket Scholarship Accounts

During Blumenthal’s 2010-2011 performance season, the Education Department piloted a unique ticket scholarship account program with Big Brothers Big Sisters

(BBBS) of Greater Charlotte in the amount of $13,000. This account allowed BBBS to acquire tickets to any performance of any Blumenthal show as long as tickets were available. Such flexibility enabled BBBS to incorporate Blumenthal theater attendance with their own awards programs and as special incentives—as well as accommodate the individual schedules and show preferences of “Bigs” and “Littles.”

BBBS of Greater Charlotte has touted the value of the ticket scholarship account program in relation to their mission and goals and expressed their appreciation to BPA in numerous ways. Michelle Youngs, Blumenthal’s Education Programs Manager, describes BBBS personnel as “extremely helpful, attentive to details, and supportive

in every facet of the program—utilizing every dollar in their 2010-2011 account, just as BPA intended.” BPA recently informed BBBS of renewing the ticket scholarship for the 2011-2012 season. Ultimately, the goal of this program from BPA’s perspective is to acquaint at-risk

children with the wonder and transformative power of live theater. With the help of future donations by individuals and corporations, BPA hopes to expand this service to other community organizations.


PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS AND FAMILIES


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Teachers’ Lounge

This is a Blumenthal-sponsored affinity group for public and private school educators of all subjects and grade levels.

From January 2011 until present, we have hosted eight well-attended Teachers’ Lounge pre-show gatherings in conjunction with performances of BILLY ELLIOT, FRANKIE VALLIE AND THE FOUR SEASONS, CELTIC CROSSROADS, BLUE MAN GROUP, SHREK THE MUSICAL, MAMMA MIA, and THE ADDAMS FAMILY and WEST SIDE STORY. Similar to a Teachers’ lounge event, in January we hosted a BILLY ELLIOT pre-

show reception (and provided discounted show tickets) for 85 local college and university professors and spouses.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS & FAMILIES

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Get to Know the Show (GTKS)

GTKS programs are free events provided by the Education Department for special groups and for the general public. These programs are designed to provide information regarding upcoming Blumenthal shows in an entertaining, upbeat and enjoyable manner, and to offer attendees the ability to purchase specially discounted

tickets. GTKS events occur at both Blumenthal and offsite venues, often incorporating a variety of activities including teaching artist presentations and cast member appearances.

In January 2011, Noel Freidline, adjunct music professor at UNCC and frequent pit musician for the Blumenthal’s Broadway Lights Series, gave an engaging, multi-media presentation at Blumenthal’s Booth Playhouse. The program highlighted the music of Elton John, music composer for BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL. This open-to-the-public program drew a crowd of approximately 70 enthusiastic individuals, many of whom subsequently purchased tickets for Blumenthal’s touring Broadway production of BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL In March, Mr. Freidline returned for a successful GTKS program for college students at the Central Campus of Central Piedmont Community College related to Blumenthal’s touring Broadway performances of AVENUE Q. Other well-attended GKS programs presented since January include sessions related to the touring Broadway productions of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (March), GARTH FAGAN DANCE March), CATS and SHREK (May) MAMA MIA (July), THE ADDAMS FAMILY (September) and West Side Story (October)


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Special Broadway Outreach to Families

In December 2009, Blumenthal Performing Arts announced a three-year commitment to greatly expand ticket scholarships in order to enable economically challenged

families in the Charlotte area to attend select touring Broadway shows included in Blumenthal’s Duke Energy Broadway Lights Series. The effort commenced with the distribution of over 250 free and highly discounted tickets to THE ALUMINUM SHOW in January, 2010. Modeled after the Broadway League’s Family First Nights® program, the goal is to introduce disadvantaged families to the world of live theatre and

encourage theatre attendance in general. The Education Department currently partners with several local organizations e.g. Boys and Girls Club of Greater Charlotte and the YMCA to identify and invite families to participate. Several weeks prior to each performance, participating families are given a related show packet and study guide. The Education Department also hosts pre-show activities for each show and post-show talk-backs with performers when possible. This outreach effort to families consists of two concurrent programs. Family First Night is partially funded by The Doctor Family Foundation, Target and The Broadway League (the national trade association for the Broadway industry). Duke Energy Ticket Scholarship Program is funded entirely by Duke Energy (also sponsor of the Broadway Lights Series). Each “Family First Night family” attends three shows and accompanying activities per season. “Duke Energy families” attend two shows and related events.

During the 2010/11 Duke Energy Broadway Lights Series, Family First Night families each paid a very small amount to see IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS, IN THE HEIGHTS and SHREK THE MUSICAL. Duke Energy families were treated to WHITE CHRISTMAS and SHREK The MUSICAL. Touring Broadway shows to be experienced by ticket scholarship families in Blumenthal’s 2011/12 season include THE ADDAMS FAMILY, BRING IT ON and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.


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Club Blume

Club Blume, a social club for young adults initiated by a grant from American Express, is one of two affinity groups whose “Informances” are overseen by the Blumenthal’s Marketing Department. An Informance is an event that provides information in a fun and informative way about a forthcoming show at a Blumenthal theater. The Education Department assists Marketing by locating local, gifted teaching artists to demonstrate artistic and/or historical aspects of a forthcoming show while engaging attendees in participatory activities.

In January 2011, Clement Joly, dance instructor and co-owner of Charlotte’s Metropolitan Ballroom, prepared 35 Club Blume members for the upcoming musical, IN THE HEIGHTS by describing the use of Salsa music and dance in the production—and then teaching them several Salsa dance steps. He masterfully drew everyone in attendance onto the dance floor and had the entire group dancing with a surprising degree of confidence and grace. On March 8th, in anticipation of the musical, AVENUE Q, 85 individuals were treated to a lively puppetry demonstration by local teaching artist, Drew Nowlin. Participants also tried their hands (literally) at puppet manipulation by practicing with puppets provided by Nowlin. Lots of fun and laughter. More recent Club Blume meetings include programs related to the touring Broadway shows, BLUE MAN GROUP (March), CATS and SHREK (May), NEXT TO NORMAL (June), THE ADDAMS FAMILY (September) and WEST SIDE STORY (October).


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Kids’ Night

Sponsored by our Marketing Department, Kids’ Night is the name of a special show ticket discount program for young children. Often incorporated with the discount is a pre-show learning activity designed to enhance kids’ understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the subsequent show. As with Club Blume programs, the Education Department assists Marketing by securing appropriate teaching artists to provide the children with participatory experiences. Occasionally, show cast members lead the activities. Among other Kids’ Night activities occurring in 2011 have been programs related to Mary Poppins The Musical and CATS, both touring Broadway shows included in BPA’s Duke Energy Broadway Lights series. The photo below is from BPA’s 2010 run of THE ALUMINUM SHOW. Hardin Minor, Charlotte’s resident master mime and showman led the program.


blumenthal performing arts education department

Documents

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northwest school

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gaston county schools

schools education department

school fine arts budgets

examples of recent school

charlotte area schools