[SML] OT: Cultural Arts programming at your educational institution

[Kristi R-C]

I don't know who you've been booking or what your budget is, but for HS kids especially, you need someone who relate to them and where they are in mental and emotional development. Do your students have an opportunity to perform for each other? Do faculty members perform? Culture doesn't have to be high-brow to be educational. Bring in a classical pianist who sneers at teens and it's a disaster before you start. Get someone who's able to get the students enthused about the performance before it even happens. Visits to each classroom to prepare the students before the show should be part of it, and ideally a follow up visit too. 

If I were bringing in an outside group and had the money, my first choice for a HS performance would be the Canadian Brass. Not only are they amazing performers, they do everything from rock to Bach with perfect musicianship and a lot of humor. I still think Best Boy's decision to play a brass instrument was born when I took him to a concert of theirs and the tuba player, Chuck Dallenbach, sat down in the row in front of us while playing. They'll do a workshop with your music students too. 


Having people with professional "cultural" chops who are able to inspire kids isn't as rare as you may think. If you get someone who works with your students and includes students in the performance, that will help other kids to pay attention. 

You're in NJ. I'd recommend my friend Debbie Davis from New Orleans. She's originally from NJ. She's could bring along her son who's a tremendous guitar player. She can sing anything from opera to jazz. 


Other things to consider: a theatrical teaching artist who can guide students through the process of writing, rehearsing and performing their own show over the course of a week or two. A choreographer to do the same. The Met used to sponsor a thing for teachers to help students to write and perform their own opera, also a great opportunity. 

As for the "kids are on the phones when they get bored," part of the whole theater experience is the etiquette expected in that situation. Unless the phones are being used as part of the show, they should be turned off and out of sight. 


HTH


Kristi R-C



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