For the past eleven years, I have been working with some of the most amazing children I've ever known! After piloting a middle school Performing Arts program for my school in southern California, I moved to south-central Kentucky and began a similar program at the elementary level. It has been incredible to watch these little ones stretch their minds, their imaginations; to laugh and grow together! These children I work with come mostly from families of modest financial means--many live below the poverty line and rely solely on our school system for most of their meals. In addition, a large percentage of my kiddos speak English as their second language, coming to us from many different places across the globe. I provide this music theater enrichment activity at no cost to them.
The most amazing things about "my children" are their spirit, energy, commitment and love for each other, as we work together to create our art.
The older ones hold the little ones in their laps when we sing; the more experienced actors mentor and coach the newer cast members with remarkable positivity and insight; lifelong friendships are born; family memories created. I love working with them so much!
My Project
Children absolutely love performing music theater! Their parents become our biggest fans, and the school/community partnerships formed can not be overemphasized. However, when working with elementary children, it's critical to have access to wireless headset microphones, especially for those in the lead roles.
As I teach cast members the disciplines of acting, blocking, choreography, and posturing, they need to have free use of the stage, and also of their hands.
If they are wearing wireless headset mics, they are free to move about the stage as needed to create a scene, and are not encumbered with carrying a handheld mic. And although I do teach them to speak with clarity and good breath support for volume, they can not express many of the necessary vocal nuances if they are distracted by the need to "yell" their dialogue because they're not mic'd.
Two products offered in the Woodwind Brasswind catalogue would be a great start for our brand new elementary school. The VocoPro 8 Channel Wireless Headset/Lapel Mic-In-Bag Package would provide 8 such mics, and we will also need a mixing board (ProFX12v2 12-Channel Professional FX Mixer with USB). I would be so very grateful if a donor would choose to fund this system for our kiddos, and help get us started!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Thibodeau and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.