In August, 2010, Actors’ Summit, a professional theater, moved from Hudson, Ohio to downtown Akron. The organization faced the challenge of expanding its audience in its new home. Actors’ Summit has developed an innovative approach to increase attendance by students and families.
Actors’ Summit recently received a significant grant from The Knight Foundation, for a project called, “Take-your-parent-to-a-show!” This project enables and encourages students to bring their parents to the theater, instead of the other way around. “Take-your-parent-to-a-show!” project allows any full-time student (middle school, high school, or college) to buy his ticket for the regular student rate of $9 and receive a free ticket for his accompanying parent to the performance.
In addition to seeking attendance by younger audiences, Actors’ Summit encourages local schools to attend performances as a school field trip and include the show as part of their curriculum. Arts Integrated Instruction has become an area of interest over the past decade. Schools across the country are discovering the power of the arts when used as a catalyst for teaching across the curriculum.
Actors’ Summit has created and disseminated free Teacher/Student Guides to local schools for the academically appropriate shows in their season. Schools throughout Summit County, both public and parochial have been contacted.
This project encourages student attendance at regular public performances, however Actors’ Summit schedules school day matinees, offered at the time of the school’s choosing. “We can’t offer as many school day performances as we would like,” said Co-artistic Director Neil Thackaberry, “because our professional actors still need to work their day jobs.”
Schools taking advantage of the school day performances can also take advantage of free pre and post performance in-classroom presentations. “Our commitment is to making history, literature, and theater memorable for the average student,” said Thackaberry. “We try to bring professional theater experiences to students at the lowest possible cost.” The classroom support allows students to connect with the artists. The study guides support teachers in achieving State of Ohio standards in history, social studies, and the arts. The free pre and post performance discussions with the artists can lock in the emotional and intellectual experience, creating memories that foster achievement on standardized tests. Parents and students experiencing live performances together create additional learning opportunities and encourage family participation in the arts. Altogether, the project focuses on the social and communal aspects of the arts experience and supports arts integrated instruction.
The shows that Actors’ Summit identifies as academically appropriate and may serve as a support to core curricular objectives are:
Woody Guthrie's American Song
October 6 – 30
Woody Guthrie, the American troubadour, gave a passionate voice to the nation during the Great Depression. Five talented actor/musicians sing Woody's story from New York's skid row to the ravaged dustbowl to the orchards of California. "So Long It's Been Good to Know Ya," "900 Miles," and "This Land Is Your Land" and 20 other songs from the heart of the heartland will fill your mind and touch your heart.
Bully
January 19 – February 5
Military hero, President, cowboy, Secretary of the Navy, Nobel Peace Prize winner, conservationist, trust buster, police commissioner, Vice-president, explorer, big game hunter, author, governor. It could be a list of things a child might want to be when they grow up. It actually is a list of some of the things that Teddy Roosevelt did become in the course of his 60 years. One actor attempts to explore some of the roles Teddy lived.
The Importance of Being Earnest
March 29 – April 22
In the 112 years since its premiere this Trivial Comedy for Serious People play has probably generated more laughter than any other piece of dramatic literature. Jack is Jack in town, but Ernest in the country. His ward, Cecily is deeply in love with Ernest's ne'er-do-well brother who doesn't exist. Lady Bracknel rules all and is certainly not going to allow her daughter to "form an alliance with a handbag." Naturally everything works out perfectly and everyone lives happily ever after.
The season, in its entirety, and more information about Actors’ Summit can be viewed at:
www.actorssummit.org
If you would like more information about Actors’ Summit’s “Take-your-parent-to-a-show!” project and/or getting FREE educational support for your classroom, please feel free to contact Neil Thacakberry, Co-Artistic Director or Aubrey Caldwell, Education Project Coordinator at 330-374-7568.
