#finneytown

Photos by Don Corathers.

An audience full of family members and friends chatter excitedly as the young actors take turns peeking out from behind the curtains, eyes wide and mouths agape as they survey the crowd. Parent volunteers cheerfully sell tickets and students politely greet those entering the theatre with a modest show program. The lights go down, the curtain opens and the magic begins.

The Educational Theatre Association, in collaboration with New York City-based companies iTheatrics and Music Theatre International, has created JumpStart Theatre, a three-year scalable pilot program designed to bring musical theatre into schools that currently do not have a performing arts program.

Even without flashy light cues, expensive costumes or special effects, the performance is incredibly meaningful to everyone involved. After the show, the beaming actors run to greet their fans. Parents proudly wrap their children in tight hugs and teachers hand out high-fives. There is so much happiness that it even evokes the occasional tear.

It’s incredible to think about, but before this grand event, there were countless smaller victories. A shy girl with a beautiful singing voice, auditioning for the first time to the surprise of her principal. A parent turning off the television to help their son learn his lines. The school outcast making a friend. The child with a disability feeling included and accepted. The teacher putting in long hours and late nights to give his students a reason to come to school.

This might seem like we’re winding down to the end of the story, but it’s actually only the beginning. Even though they weren’t trying to and might not have even noticed, these middle school students learned something by being in this play. They learned critical skills that will help them do better in school, work with others, get a job, and feel better about themselves. They’re going to take these skills and continue this story well into the future.

Photos by Susan Doremus.