The impact of JumpStart Theatre is an inspiration.
At the start of the year, Za’Khyra Whitfield was a quiet, conscientious young lady who came to Gamble Montessori and didn’t have a lot of friends.
Za’Khyra onstage as Erzulie, the goddess of love, in Once on This Island, Jr., a JumpStart Theatre production.
In the first weeks of school, she had started meeting with our school psychologist. Za’Khyra had reported symptoms of depression. Our psychologist learned that one of the things Za’Khyra did to calm herself was sing a favorite Disney song. She had a beautiful voice, and we all encouraged her to try out for the musical. She got the role of Erzulie, the goddess of love, in our production of Once On This Island, Jr. She had a show-stopping solo. She was so proud of herself.
— Representative of James N. Gamble Montessori School, a JumpStart Theatre grant recipient school
The JumpStart Theatre program creates sustainable theatre arts programs in underserved middle schools where there were none.
Participant schools are chosen based on a rigorous application process and receive materials, budget, and training support to produce their first full-scale musical production. The support continues for three straight years until the program becomes sustainable.
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Implemented and sustainable in underserved middle schools nationwide
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Engages as many students as possible in all aspects of theatre
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Instills the 21st-century skills of collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking
“Za’Khyra is the kind of student that a program like this touches and changes. It didn’t just change her individually by giving her a great experience – which it did – but it literally changed her life.”
— Representative of James N. Gamble Montessori School, a JumpStart Theatre grant recipient school
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