Arts Education

I have learned a whole lot in these past few months in regards to arts education. Jumping up from a Teaching Assistant to an Admin job alone at summer camp showed me the realities of making these programs work. Also what the "man" perceives to be important and what indeed is important. Not that they create a show at the end. Not that they become great actors. It's the process. What they learn about themselves.

My views on Arts Education are currently being molded by the people I am coming in touch with. At the American Theater Company, they also perceive theatre to be a tool for advancement in social skills in more at risk communities. These programs are not geared so much towards "actors" but towards students in general providing an opportunity to show how the arts can increase the benefits of regular academic skills. Not only for advancement in their daily school lives, but in their social lives when they deal with friends and family. And with themselves. They grow. They learn through support from their peers and teachers that it's ok to put yourself out there. And what better way than in a safe environment? where you can learn about others and yourself and how we function in the world.

So if that's the case. Why are Arts programs the first ones to be cut from schools? Because despite some studies showing the positive impact of Arts Education, there is still not enough. How does one assess a successful program? How does one (with data?) prove to those above that these programs are indeed working? Journals and documentation are important, but when people want to see figures. Numbers to compare one program to the next, how do we do that? How do we put the Arts, that cannot be measured with right or wrong answers for the most part, into a numerical format? Is that the best way to show people that our programs are working?

Those are the questions I am currently pondering. When trying to figure out how to assess the success of Arts Education, what's the best way? It's difficult. We can't just say they memorized the monologue or they performed because how do we show the impact that that has on their social and personal growth. Yes memorization is key, but you don't the Arts to do that. Performance doesn't have to come from a Theater program either.

It's tough. People are still making studies. There are lots of forums from advocates for Arts Education on how to assess programs.

I wonder what I'll discover is the best way for the program I'm working on.

Thoughts?

What Makes A Good Theatre Artist?

Is it talent? Or the dedication to the craft?

I know that there are plenty of people that are born with so much natural talent but they don't do anything about it. But then they spend that random moment and wow everyone and everything just happens for them. Is that truly fair? Will karma come back and kick them in the butt?

And then there's some people who work all their life for something and try. And honestly work harder than anyone else at it, but they don't have the talent for it. They just aren't meant to be doing what they have slaved over.

The best example is that of dance. Think of all the hours it takes. The years it takes to train your body. Your way of expression. And let's face it, not everyone will be a ballerina. They can train and train, but never have the feet or body for it. It's not meant to be. Or is it? Is it meant to be and society just doesn't know what to do with someone so different?

This was a random thought I wanted to write about. I don't know where I stand. I know I have some talent. I'm not talent-less. And I know I work hard. I do. I work hard at the things I do. So am I in the middle?

But what about those other people on the far right or left? Who's right? Who deserves it? The talented individual that really truly no one can deny, but shows no sense in trying. Or the individual that puts all their efforts into something they'll never be good at and waste years on it?

Just thoughts.

I saw a piece at the Fringe

By this group called The Anatomy Collective. They attempt to capture what it is to live in the city through movement pieces. The one I saw at Fringe captured how people go about their lives on public transportation and such.

One of the things I took from the show was how in the midst of everyone around you, these are the few times you really do have those moments to be alone. I rode on the El today in order to waste some time before meeting up for dinner plans. The bus would take me right there, but I wanted to just sit and be in my own world. As I was riding the El I thought about all the people that were around me. It’s almost as though you’re expected to remain in your own world as opposed to interacting with others. You’re expected to respect everyone’s private thoughts and moments that they have on the train. It’s a time for reflection, for a break perhaps on the activities for that day.

I got to thinking about the messed up life I’m leading right now. An amazing life ahead of me, but a confusion as to my emotional, romantic life. Theatre life and healthy life leading in the right direction, but still that sense of having lost something. And I can have all of these thoughts. The most sincere thoughts and no one is the wiser. I am in my own private sanctuary among all of these people. I can spite people in my thoughts. I can love people. I can think about different conversations I wish to have with certain people. What I will wear tomorrow. What I will do tomorrow. What I want to do right then. Whom I miss. What I want. Whom I want. And no one knows. It’s funny how these thoughts that sometimes are not good to have in my own room, seem perfect among strangers.

It’s a weird comfort to know that others around you are doing the same. We’re all probably experiencing our own world in front of these people everyday. I wonder what that person next to me is dealing with? Are they as scared as I am? Are they as happy?

I just started thinking about the piece I saw at Fringe today and how relevant it is to city life. Among others on the buses and the trains, you have these moments to yourself. To read a book. To write a novel. To listen to music. To think. To contemplate. To plan. Until you exit the train or the bus and enter your life again.

Perhaps it’s a mini escape. It was my distraction for the day. It was what I needed to do for myself today. To get lost among a sea of strangers.

Chicago Intern? Why, Yes I Am!

On Wed, Sept 8th, I had my orientation for the American Theater Company where I'll be doing an Education internship. We were introduced to what ATC is, where it came from, and where it's heading. I got to meet the other 3 girls I'll be working with this year, as well as Lynne and Michael, whom I finally got to meet in person.

We were treated to lunch, which was great, and we were met with PJ, the Artistic Director. This is one thing I'm starting to notice about ATC. They're a close knit group. It's not a big theatre, but it is. In Chicago, it's a well respected theatre. But it's not run by 500 million people.

We had a staff meeting at the end where we were able to meet everyone and it's nice to feel welcomed.

I'm a bit confused still as to what I will be doing. I know which program I'm heading. It's the after school program, but I don't know too much about the details. Which really is me creating the details for this upcoming year as they wish to expand the program. Hmmm...

I'm excited. I start officially next week on Tuesday. So we'll see what happens. It's a new adventure. But it feels nice to have a home theatre in Chicago. And free tickets to shows don't hurt.

:-)

Chi-Fringe

THE CHICAGO FRINGE FESTIVAL in Pilsen

Let's just say, "Wow!" What a wonderful way to start out my life in Chicago!

I arrived in Chicago on August 27th and headed to help set-up for Fringe on August 28th. Not yet moved into my apartment. Not yet sure where I was going. I felt insecure about my decision, I must admit, because in my gut I missed my friend Sean. I missed having a close friend with me to share in this new life. I arrived to find that some things I had imagined would pan out would indeed not come to fruition. So I felt insecure. I felt scared about how I was feeling. I can't admit that I was wrong. I just got here. I need to make it here. I can do this...Right?

As soon as I met people at the Chicago Fringe and started to hang out with new friends, all the fear was gone. It does not matter where I am as long as I have theatre in my life. As long as I have theatre, I am home. Which is a pretty awesome thing to discover.

So saturday and sunday were set-up days. Monday was the first day of tech, which I was scared about (sense a pattern?), but it ended up being great!

I had my first auditions on Monday August 30th. And I was surprised at how well they went. I mean they weren't knock you off your feet amazing, but they were pretty good. I even got called back for one of them. MY FIRST AUDITIONS AND I GOT A CALLBACK! It was for a 10 min play festival. And I rocked that call back, too. Now mind you, I didn't get cast. But the whole experience was reaffirming. Almost a sense of validation in that "Hey! I got skillz!" Also it's a good thing I didn't get cast because I do have to find a job that pays...So it's like the world's way of telling me "Yeah, you got it, but you need a job." And I agree. And I thank you.

Anyways, back to Fringe. I met some amazing people. The ensemble for Silken Veils an original play, that had just arrived from Edinburgh Fringe Festival, was amazing. They are originally from California and study at CalArts. Sweetest SM ever! The director and actor of Empanada for a Dream were also wonderful people. They work with Teatro Vista, a Latino theatre in Chicago, and they were really sweet. I think I felt most at home with them because of our Latino roots.

All in all, though, the Fringe festival kept reminding me of how small the world truly is. I met this guy who knows some of my FSU friends because of PSF this past summer. I ran into Sergio more than once because he was involved in one of the shows. I got to see my friend Jenny from two summers ago who was SMing a show at the Festival. It's funny how it all comes together at events like this.

The Chicago Fringe Festival was from Sept 1-5. It was a week long journey for from set-up to strike, but it was something I'll never forget. It was my welcoming into Chicago Theatre. I met some truly amazing people who were there with open arms to just help us new folk get a taste of Chicago. There's nothing like being greeted by theatre. It was then that I knew that this was the city for me. There was so much to offer here. So much more than my personal, emotional life. So much more than right now. Who I will be. Who I will become. What I will learn will be so much from this city. In a year, I'll hardly recognize me and the place I'll be.

I can't wait.

So indeed it has been a while...

I'm not very good at keeping up bloggy blogs. Especially ones like this. But I must remember this is documentation of my journey out in the "real" world. So the blog entries will begin.

August 27th

Landed in Chicago, IL. The start of a new life. Of a new adventure. Confused. Scared. But happy.

"There is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the passion of life." Federico Fellini

I like this quote. I came across it on someone's facebook page and it stood out to me.

I feel that my biggest flaw is my fear of jumping into things. Which is funny because I am jumping into things when I get to Chicago. But I always feel as thought I am not capable. I am not ready yet. That at one point, I will know. When? When is that point of knowing? Knowing that it's time for me to do something.

So I admire people who live their life full of passion. The people who throw themselves into their work completely. When you watch these people perform, you know it's their soul being poured out on the stage. That takes guts. That takes strength. That takes all of your being.

Imagine that passion for everything in your life. For when you wake up to go that class in the morning. The passion when you meet new people and interact with your old dear friends. The passion to love freely and completely. To not care that tomorrow is a day away, but to live in the moment. To give yourself fully to that moment. To that moment of solitude. To that moment of companionship. To the waking up and going to bed each day. To breathing. To walking. To Being.

Imagine how the world would be if everyone fully lived out their lives with passion, not complacency?

Don't worry about yesterday. Don't worry about tomorrow. Focus on today. Live in today. Full of life. Full of passion.

:-)