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210 students. 15 #Philly schools. 1 #musical. Experience brand new @KimmelCenter #education program, One Musical Philadelphia, with student version of @CinderellaBway by local 5th graders, Thurs., 3/21. More info @ kimmelcenter.org #ArtHappensHere
Press Contact:
Lauren Woodard
215-790-5835
lwoodard@kimmelcenter.org
NEW KIMMEL CENTER EDUCATION PROGRAM
ONE MUSICAL PHILADELPHIA
UNITES 15 PHILADELPHIA SCHOOLS
FOR ONE-NIGHT-ONLY STUDENT PERFORMANCE
THURSDAY, MARCH 21 AT 6:30 PM
Culminating pilot performance: 200+ 5th grade students collaborate
to perform the entire student version of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
onstage following 8-week residency from Kimmel teaching artists and student
mentors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Philadelphia, PA, Updated March 7, 2019) –– The Kimmel Center is proud to announce its new education initiative One Musical Philadelphia, a musical theater program uniting 5th graders from across Philadelphia. This pilot year, students from 15 schools will gather to perform a student version of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella for one-night-only on Thursday, March 21 at 6:30 PM. The performance is a culmination of an 8-week residency led by Kimmel Center Teaching Artists and high-school aged students from the Kimmel Center’s ShowStoppers AllStars education program and One Musical Philadelphia’s public debut as part of the Center’s expanded education offerings. This event was originally timed in conjunction with the Kimmel Center’s Broadway Philadelphia presentation of the national tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella at the Academy of Music from February 22 – 24, 2019, but was rescheduled due to inclement weather.
“We are thrilled to host our inaugural class of One Musical Philadelphia students as they showcase all they’ve learned over 8 weeks through our expanded education program and expansive collaboration with city schools to produce a full musical production!” said Ed Cambron, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. “Arts education enriches a child’s life and overall wellbeing, seeping into other areas of development beyond the classroom; as we continue to fulfill the Kimmel Center’s vision to transform lives daily through the arts, we know programs like this are instrumental in not only honing skills, but building confidence and engaging with others in community.”
In addition to acquiring skills in singing and dancing, One Musical Philadelphia aims to foster teamwork, tolerance, and empathy in every student as they work with their peers to devise pieces of musical theater. Following introductory in-school workshops, 2019’s students from 15 schools across Philadelphia self-selected to participate in the 8-week residency, leading to after-school rehearsals led by Kimmel Center Teaching Artists and high-school aged students from the Kimmel Center’s ShowStoppers AllStars education program. Each participating school learned different sections of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and the sections will be combined in the final performance. Each school was supported with music, props, and costumes.
This year’s One Musical Philadelphia program concludes with 16 total performances: in-school assemblies at each school where students perform for their families and school community, followed by a large-scale production of the entire musical where students from all participating schools perform on the Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater stage. For the finale performance, the Kimmel Center will provide community busses, offering FREE transportation to and from each neighborhood school to the Center for all family members wanting to attend.
50 students from the One Musical Philadelphia program performed prior to opening night of the Kimmel Center’s Broadway Philadelphia Rodgers + Hammerstein Cinderella run at the Academy of Music – on Friday, February 22.
One Musical Philadelphia is part of “Creative Stages” at the Kimmel Center; which includes multiple educational programs during school year and summer months for students, including Jazz4Freedom, Creative Music Program for Jazz, ShowStoppers Musical Theater Program, and Community Partnerships. With focuses in jazz and musical theater, our programs are designed to provide a broad performing arts experience to all 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students with special opportunities occurring for older students with high levels of interest.
Philadelphia schools participating in One Musical Philadelphia include:
Alliance for Progress Charter School
Blessed Trinity
General Philip Kearny Elementary School
Hon. Luis Munoz-Marin Elementary School
Henry C. Lea Elementary School
James Logan School
La Salle Academy
Lewis C. Cassidy Academics Plus School
Mastery Charter Harrity School
Mastery Charter Thomas Elementary
Resurrection Regional Catholic
St Thomas Aquinas
St Veronica
Thomas G Morton Elementary School
W. D. Kelley School
ONE MUSICAL PHILADELPHIA
Part of the Kimmel Center’s Education programming
Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 6:30PM
Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater
Kimmel Center Education
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts reaches thousands of local students, teachers, families, and aspiring artists each year through a unique set of education offerings, creating future performers, audiences, and cultural enthusiasts. With a 16-year history of education programs, the Kimmel Center reaches arts lovers of all ages and skill levels, stimulating creativity through hands-on multidisciplinary experiences. The programs educate, engage, and inspire the next generation, fulfilling the Kimmel Center’s mission to transform lives daily through the arts.
The Kimmel Center provides education programs both on its campus and in Philadelphia classrooms. With a focus on jazz and musical theater, programs include summer camps, school residencies, student matinees, a Teacher Appreciation program, and free community events.
For more information on all Kimmel Center education programs, visit kimmelcenter.org/education.
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, the Kimmel Center’s mission is to operate a world-class performing arts center that engages and serves a broad audience through diverse programming, arts education, and community outreach. The Kimmel Center Campus is comprised of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, SEI Innovation Studio, and the Merck Arts Education Center), the Academy of Music (owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association), and the Merriam Theater. The Kimmel Center is also home to eight Resident Companies: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, The Pennsylvania Ballet, The Philly POPS, PHILADANCO, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Curtis Institute of Music. With nearly 9,000 seats per night, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is the region’s most impactful performing arts center, and the second largest in the country. TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is the season sponsor of the Kimmel Center’s 2018-2019 Season. American Airlines is the official airline of Broadway Philadelphia. For additional information, visit www.kimmelculturalcampus.org.