Kimmel Center’s Expanded Education Programs to Focus on American Musical Theater
Classes for Middle and High School Students Begin October 7
Teachers Get in on the Act with Educators Open Houses
September 29, 2003
New education offerings at the Kimmel Center include classes in American Musical Theater.
Kimmel Center, Inc. expands its education offerings this year with classes for Philadelphia-area high school students and a new curriculum dedicated to American Musical Theater.
For a second straight year, the Kimmel Center will also offer classes for middle school students focusing on music, movement and theater arts. All classes are held in the Kimmel Center’s Merck Arts Education Center (MAEC) and are offered free of charge. Classes begin October 7, 2003.
Teachers can get in on the act and learn more about the Kimmel Center’s offerings at one of four Wednesday night open house events in the MAEC on October 1, 8, 15 and 22.
"Arts education is a cornerstone of our mission," said Kimmel Center, Inc. Vice President of Programming and Education Mervon Mehta. "The arts matter. The arts enrich lives and it’s important to foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of the arts among young people, especially those that may not have regular exposure to them. The education programs at the Kimmel Center are designed to do just that."
The new program for high school students (grades 9-12) is American Culture/Musical Theater, focusing on the origin, creative process and performance practices of musicals. Classes, designed to support national standards, are held every Wednesday from October through May at 10am and Noon.
Curriculum-based performing arts classes for middle school students (grades 5-8), an age group traditionally underserved in arts education, were launched last year and will continue this year with classes held twice a day, three times a week (10am and Noon on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays).
All classes include lessons by teaching artists, a behind-the-scenes Kimmel Center tour and a chance to explore the MAEC Interactive Exhibit Area. Classes are open to students in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware and are offered on a first-come first-served basis. Teachers and educators can register their students by calling 215-790-5896. To receive an invitation to the open house events, teachers should submit their name and mailing address to maec@kimmelcenter.org.
Other Kimmel Center, Inc. educational initiatives include the Kimmel Center Youth Jazz Ensemble (for more information on auditions--scheduled for Saturday, October 11--call 215-790-5845), the Teen Summer Arts Camp (auditions will be held in the spring) and a subsidized ticket program offering $10 tickets to schools, churches, social service groups and community organizations for performances at the Kimmel Center and Academy of Music (for more information call 215-790-5896). Visiting artists who perform as part of the Kimmel Center Presents concert series also offer workshops and master classes for students and adults free of charge
The Merck Arts Education Center, located on the second tier of the Kimmel Center, is a multi-purpose, flexible facility with an interactive exhibit area open daily to the public. MAEC opened in September 2002.
Still in its infancy, Kimmel Center, Inc.’s educational program has already garnered national attention. The Association of Performing Arts Presenters this year selected Kimmel Center, Inc. for a profile in "Acts of Achievement," a publication produced in partnership with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and highlighting exemplary educational programs at performing arts centers around the country.
> Visit www.kimmelcenter.org/education
Education Programs at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts are generously supported by Merck & Co., Inc. and the Sidney Kimmel Foundation. Kimmel Center, Inc.’s subsidized ticket program is funded in part by a grant from the FleetBoston Financial Foundation. The Kimmel Center Youth Jazz Ensemble is generously supported by the Barra Foundation.
Kimmel Center, Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit organization, owns, manages, supports and maintains The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which includes Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, Innovation Studio and the Merck Arts Education Center. Kimmel Center, Inc. also manages the Academy of Music, owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Academy of Music serve as home to eight Resident Company performing arts organizations, including The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, American Theater Arts for Youth, Philadanco, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops®. Kimmel Center, Inc.’s mission also includes arts in education, community outreach and a rich diversity of programming through its Kimmel Center Presents and Citizens Bank Broadway at the Academy series of performances.
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