My students need help to supplement the cost of a district organized field trip to see the Broadway musical Hamilton in Atlanta, including tickets, transportation, and dinner.
I teach in a Title I school with a 100% free and reduced lunch program. High poverty and low state-mandated test scores characterize our school at first glance. There are an alarming number of students who have never sung in a choir, taken a dance class, played an instrument, or seen a play. Nonetheless, my students love the arts and they are beginning to take advantage of our new after-school enrichment programs including ballet, writing, and a performing arts group called the Broadway Babies which has allowed them to tour and experience a world beyond their neighborhoods.
The Broadway Babies are head over heels in love with the hit musical HAMILTON even though only 1% of them had ever even heard of Broadway or attended a live theatrical production until a year ago.
My Project
Prior to experiencing the diverse music, songs, and dances of the award-winning Broadway show called HAMILTON, engaging the participating students in the Broadway Babies after-school enrichment program proved to be a challenge. Now that two of the more popular songs from this cutting-edge historical rap musical are a part of their repertoire, and the young thespians have received city-wide recognition for their performances, they are opened to learning any Broadway classic that we introduce regardless of music style. They and their families are beginning to value the free training provided by professional teaching artists. They are beginning to understand the beauty of a pointed toe and a scale sung on perfect pitch. In less than a year, they have performed to well-over 3,000 persons.
To take the Broadway Babies performance skills to the next level, they must see and experience great live professional theatrical performances like HAMILTON.
The opportunity to be chosen to join the APS high school students to see the show is an unbelievable opportunity. But not only that, APS is providing transportation which is always an issue for my demographic, dinner, and pre-show entertainment presented by the other attendees. Their perspectives and expectations of themselves and others will never ever be the same.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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