Arts Council of the Morris Area

Arts Education


 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE  ARTS EDUCATION SHOWCASE

Arts in Education Showcase Schedule
(subject to change)

March 11, 2008:

DANCING THROUGH THE AGES - DANCE INNOVATIONS
This program is designed to take audiences through the many eras of popular dance from the 1920's to today. Charleston, Lindy, Swing, Hand Jive, Disco, Broadway Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet and Modern Dance are all presented in costumes that depict the age. Ballet and Jazz are also incorporated to illustrate a dancer's training and passion for dance.

HISTORY’S ALIVE – THE WRIGHT BROTHERS AND SISTER
Patrick Garner as "Wilbur," along with two of your students as "Orville" & "Katherine," demonstrate how over the course of four summers at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina,  man learned to fly!  Your students will have a great time learning history as they are urged to learn from history.  The same methods the Wright Brothers (& Sister!) used to solve the mystery of the ages, will find their way into your young student"s "life tools."

THE MASK MESSENGER
A witty and often thought-provoking performance, which presents a stunning kaleidoscope of character transformations brought to life through body movement. The performance will provide audiences with a cultural, historical, and artistic overview of the use of masks throughout the world.

KIT’S INTERACTIVE THEATRE – COLONIAL LIFE
Developing her unique style of interactive theatre since 1987, Kitty combines her passion for history and love of theatre to create 15 different high-energy, interactive shows. In Colonial Life you will visit Pennsylvania in the 1730’s.Come celebrate spring with servant Katie Cotswold in this young Colonial village. Meet the townsfolk, join in the chores, games and frolics, and take a turn in the Maypole dance.

THE BUCKET BOYS
The Bucket Boys are a hip-hop percussive duo combining music, laughter, crowd interaction and positive life skills. This lively presentation is the original work of Vince Romanelli and Mitch Martin. Using a medley of junk collected from wrecking yards, trash bins, basements and attics, the two college graduates create riveting music.

THE DOO – WAH RIDERS
There is no one else like the
Doo-Wah Riders. For over 20 years they have been riding their own patch of the musical range throughout the west. They possess the rare combination of many years of experience and youthful energy, fired by a love for what they do. The Doo-Wah Riders are country, with a unique, original sound. They define their style as "high energy country with a cajun twist". Their tight musicianship and powerful arrangements of classic, contemporary, and original songs have made they favorites everywhere they go.

PEACEMAKER and NEW KID – GEORGE STREET PLAYHOUSE
This presentation will highlight two highly acclaimed programs by George Street Playhouse. Peacemaker is a charming parable about our increasingly diverse society, promoting an end to prejudice based on what people look like or where they come from. New Kid remains the Touring Theatre’s most successful program, addressing racism, peer pressure, and conflict resolution.

INTERMISSION

BASH THE TRASH
A fun and interactive show about science, sound and the environment. Using music and demonstration, Bash the Trash shows students how to build instruments from recycled materials. Students will be amazed by the Straw Oboe, Bendjo, Singing Bowl and Balloon Flute. Environmental and multicultural issues are addressed and instrument building workshops are available.

THE ALLEY CATS
The Alley Cats perform an interactive, fun and informative show , teaching students about the elements of music and performance through one of America’s own art forms, Doo-Wop music. Tight harmonies, universal humor and unbelievable acappella energy have made the Alley Cats one of America's premier Doo-Wop groups.

AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR – BRUCE VAN PATTER
This show is about creativity applied to creative writing: how all students are innately creative and what they can do to stay that way. This PowerPoint presentation, is filled with original, kid-friendly illustrations that will instruct as well as entertain.

SHAKESPEARE LIVE! MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Each year, Shakespeare LIVE! takes a fresh, imaginative look at this perennial audience favorite. In the past, their mischief-making fairies have traveled on stilts, scooters, in-line skates— what will they do next? Just wait and see! When starry-eyed young lovers and zany would-be actors cross paths in a magical forest, the result is one of the world's most uproarious comedies. A Midsummer Night's Dream is the ideal "first Shakespeare" for elementary grades, and a riotous roller-coaster ride for teens (and teachers).

THE BODACIOUS BOOK SHOWS
Two shows that get kids thinking and talking about great books, making it the perfect way to kick-off or culminate any reading program. The audience is completely involved throughout these shows with comic characters like Professor Fineprint and Beatrice the Bookworm, and the "Have You READ It?" Game that everyone plays with questions and challenges about their favorite books. Each show also features a folktale brought to life with audience volunteers.

HAYES GREENFIELD
Hayes Greenfield of Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz will share a unique but underutilized component of his assembly program and demonstrate how he invites student instrumentalists to play and be a part of his highly interactive, educational, and fun assembly/experience/performance program.  From the very shy to the very bold, young musicians of all levels have an opportunity to feel safe with risk-taking, learn how to express themselves through music, improvisation, and seize the creative moment. Audiences alike are invited to see the wonderful rewards that come from challenging oneself, risk-taking, and the joy of sharing the language of music performed by both fellow student instrumentalists and professional musicians.  

March 12, 2008

GENERATIONS OF JAZZ
A musical history lesson performed by a jazz band and singers that demonstrates the origins and evolution of jazz from its roots in spiritual and European music to Dixieland, swing, bebop and a few stops in between.

REFLECTIONS OF RAY
A musical journey that explores the life and times of musical great Ray Charles.

WOMEN: BACK TO THE FUTURE – KATE CAMPBELL STEVENSON
This program brings to life a diverse group of historical women role models in a dynamic one-woman show. Each woman’s distinctive character springs to life through song, monologue and movement. Audiences experience each woman’s dreams, frustrations, struggles and victories. Characters presented include Abigail Adams, Bessie Coleman, Sacagawea, Eleanor Roosevelt, Rachel Carson and Marian Anderson. Kate Campbell Stevenson

GENERATION TAP II - NJ TAP DANCE ENSEMBLE
Artistic Director Deborah Mitchell created Generation Tap to showcase dancers, music and social influences from the mid 20th Century to present day. The acclaimed NJ TAP Youth Company dancers, aged 12-17, will tap through highlights of several decades of music in works by award winning choreographer Deborah Mitchell and other emerging choreographers.

EINSTEIN ALIVE
Marc Spiegel brings Einstein alive to talk about his childhood, his difficulties with school, and the adventures within his mind. He speaks about his fame and what it means to be a theoretical physicist. Einstein uses song, audience participation, and a rolling platform to demonstrate the complexity of simple motion and the meaning of the terms "relative" and "frame of reference." There is an Einstein Alive program for all ages K to adult. Students 4th grade and older are introduced to the Special Theory of Relativity

JUMP FROG JUMP & DANCE ALIVE – AMERICAN REPERTORY BALLET
American Repertory Ballet offers two educational assembly performances the first, "Jump, Frog, Jump!" Is an irresistible tale by Robert Kalan which provides suspenseful as well as educational fun as a frog encounters several dangers in his struggle to survive. As the children participate the story and characters come to life right before their eyes! This program is also available with Spanish narration. "Dance Alive" is a 45-minute presentation is a fact filled assembly full of a wide variety of dance. Students will get a thorough look at the basics of how a ballet dancer copes with the incredible athleticism needed to become a fine artist. The dancers will take the students through classical and contemporary works and conclude with a question and answer period for the students.

INTERMISSION

THEATRE ARTS RESIDENCY – MARGARET NOONAN
Powerpoint presentation and discussion of Margaret Noonan’s Theatre Arts Residency Program

MURAL ARTS RESIDENCY - DAN FENELON
Powerpoint presentation and discussion of Mural Arts Residency Program

SWEET POTATO PIE AND SUCH – QUEEN NUR
Incomparable storyteller Queen Nur presents a tasty treat of stories, songs and dance celebrating African-American heritage accompanied by African instruments. This highly energetic and interactive performance will delight as well as enlighten.

FREESPACE DANCE
WHAT INSPIRES US ? Artistic Director of Freespace Dance, Donna Scro Gentile, uses this lecture demonstration to explain what has inspired her to make dances. Basic geometric shapes, children’s play, a six foot length of fabric are just a few of the inspirations she discusses as the company demonstrates how these ideas can become a dance. Through audience participation, the students are encouraged to find their own inspirations for dances.

A FAMILY ALBUM – SUSANMARIE CUNNINGHAM
Susanmarie Cunningham’s soft sculpture presentation, A Family Album, combines elements of costuming, storytelling, puppetry, and clowning to tell a hilariously playful, yet poignant tale about growing up. The life sized soft sculptures worn by Susanmarie and student volunteers comically address issues that are common and heartfelt to elementary and middle school students. The life skills woven into the presentation include – learning to be a good friend, tempering romance with wisdom, the importance of self reliance, and using your own uniqueness to build self esteem. A feast for the eyes, the mind and the soul!

THE MAGIC OF SCIENCE – MARVELOUS MARVIN

The Magic of Science explains the scientific process, from the art of experimenting to the creation of an invention. With experiments that kids can try at home, they learn about air pressure, carbon dioxide and the invention of the wheel. The Magic of Science draws a link between the work of artists and scientists, encouraging persistence and exploration.

THE NEW AMERICAN– LIVING VOICES
Share the journey of The New American, from the turmoil of the old country, to the promise of America.  The immigrant journey includes the steamship passage of 1910, the path through Ellis Island, the sweatshops of the lower east side of Manhattan.  Learn what American liberty and opportunity means to people around the world.

Third-graders from Central Elementary School in New Jersey, dance the merengue in traditional costumes at the conclusion of a Multi-Cultural Folk Dance Residency with Teaching Artist Joanna Pang Atkins.

 

 To download our 2007-2008
Arts In Education Program Guide, please click here

                                                                                           

 

Students at Harding Elementary School in Harding, New Jersey worked with Spiritree artists Marco Giammetti and Carol Hendrickson, to create life-sized papier mache animals and trees to bring to life a story about the rainforest inspired by the book The Great Kapok Tree by Lynn Cherry. This project was an example of how in-depth research regarding other cultures and ecosystems, social concern, personal commitment and the arts can be woven together into a creative learning experience.

 

                                                               

ACMA ARTS EDUCATION IN THE NEWS…

 09/27/06 - Posted from the Daily Record newsroom

 


School gets in step with cultural arts

MORRISTOWN - The Alexander Hamilton School held a cultural arts assembly Tuesday, featuring music and dance from Rwanda. The star of the assembly was Jean Paul Samputu, a musician and songwriter who is also known for his discussions about the genocide that took place in Rwandan.

Samputu's mother, father, three brothers and a sister were among the nearly one million Rwandan people who were killed during that time, according to his Web site.

Morris residents will be able to hear more about the tragedy that wracked the African nation next month, when Paul Rusesabagina, the hotel manager depicted in the movie "Hotel Rwanda,"speaks twice in Morris County.

He helped shelter refugees during Rwanda's 100 days of genocide.

Rusesabagina, who was portrayed by Oscar nominee Don Cheadle in "Hotel Rwanda," will first speak at the Town Hall of Morris lecture series at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany on Oct. 3.

The following day, Rusesabagina will visit Morristown High School where he will speak about his experiences and answer questions from the students.

Samputu's appearance comes a few days after Morristown hosted the third annual Rwandan Convention at the Hyatt. The president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, was the keynote speaker at the event.

 

                                                                                       

Ten Lessons the Arts Teach
By Elliot Eisner

The arts teach children to make good judgments about qualitative relationships.
Unlike much of the curriculum in which correct answers and rules prevail, in the arts, it
is judgment rather than rules that prevail.

The arts teach children that problems can have more than one solution
and that questions can have more than one answer.

The arts celebrate multiple perspectives.
One of their large lessons is that there are many ways to see and interpret the world.

The arts teach children that in complex forms of problem solving
purposes are seldom fixed, but change with circumstance and opportunity. Learning in the arts requires the ability and a willingness to surrender to the unanticipated possibilities of the work as it unfolds.

The arts make vivid the fact that neither words in their literal form nor number exhaust what we can know. The limits of our language do not define the limits of our cognition.

The arts teach students that small differences can have large effects.
The arts traffic in subtleties.

The arts teach students to think through and within a material.
All art forms employ some means through which images become real.

The arts help children learn to say what cannot be said.
When children are invited to disclose what a work of art helps them feel, they must reach into their poetic capacities to find the words that will do the job.

The arts enable us to have experience we can have from no other source
and through such experience to discover the range and variety of what we are capable of feeling.

The arts’ position in the school curriculum symbolizes to the young
what adults believe is important.


SOURCE: Eisner, E. (2002).
The Arts and the Creation of Mind, In Chapter 4, What the Arts Teach and How It Shows. (pp. 70-92). Yale University Press. Available from NAEA Publications. 

 


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