Friday, Jan. 20, 2012
Article s from Fair Fox Times.Com
After-school programs hear the ‘Voices of Now’
by David Siegel, Special To The Times
Finding innovative ways to provide quality after-school programs for Fairfax County Middle School students is an important task.
As administrator for after-school programs for Fairfax's 27 middle schools, Mark Emery has been working with the nationally renowned Arena Stage to offer a specialized in-school enrichment program called "Voices of Now."
According to Emery, the program goes beyond developing a student's theater skills. Working with local Fairfax schools, the program was created to enhance a student's capabilities and personal growth in areas such as literacy, teamwork, critical thinking and self-expression.
Initial funding for Fairfax's participation in the program came from the National Endowment of Arts. This provided the opportunity to team with Arena Stage to make the program available as a school-based youth development activity.
"VON is stimulating for students and has a very unique approach,” Emery said. “It uses the theater arts, such as movement and vocal expression, to explore the human condition while offering students the ability to further learn about the artistic process and teamwork."
This approach allows the students to try making their own projects, Emery said.
"They can develop, create and perform their own works using their own experiences," he said.
As a result, participants were found to be more confident in themselves as they take part, said Molly Smith, Arena's Artistic Director.
“Reaching out to students and the community around us is a vital part of Arena’s mission," she said. "Voices of Now engages young people in creating and performing theater.
“Even more importantly, the program shows them how to connect to their inner voices, which in turn builds confident and creative adults.”
The program has been operating as an after-school program in three Fairfax County schools, Burke School, Key Middle School and Robinson Secondary School.Other in the D.C. metro area also are participating in the program.
Participants include a mix of first-time and more seasoned performers.
Last year, more than 200 Fairfax youth participated in the activities. Some also were selected for full-year participation. They became part of a working ensemble creating and performing their own plays. The new plays were performed at Arena Stage last May.
For Burke participants, the play performed was titled "This is Me." It was about their own life challenges.
Key Middle School students created "Leave Your Mark," a story of making one's presence known.
Robinson students shaped a work about personal journeys and travels into "Compass."
The students "are looking for a way to connect and share,” said Ashley Forman, Arena's director of education programs.
“They may be performers who want to hone their writing, acting or movement skills or they may be searching for a community to belong to in their school,” she said. “VON provides a place for both."
Forman indicated that a program ensemble member is expected to have "the desire to participate, a willingness to take artistic risks, generosity towards other student artists and evidence of artistic growth."
When asked about the artistic process, Forman said an artistic creation "starts with a title. Artists then explore the title through writing, improvisation, movement and discussion."
The script is developed by using the words, ideas and movement of the students that address more than theater arts.
"Through this program we hope to instill an excitement for exploration and dialogue,” Forman said. “Voices of Now plays are autobiographical and have explored themes of social justice, self-advocacy, coming of age, and looking beyond appearance and stereotype. In addition, topics have included coping with personal challenges, life changes, trauma and growth."
With high standards and expectations, program participant outcomes are clear to Forman. "Some of the most significant area of growth that we have noted in our VON students are increased confidence and discipline, particularly physical and artistic, also increased generosity, patience and tolerance for others."
The experience is a powerful one for the students, said Amy Hard, Robinson Secondary School’s drama teacher.
"The program allows for our artists to really explore, develop, and create theatre without rules,” she said. “They are encouraged to challenge boundaries, to be vulnerable, and to do real work with the support and safety of an ensemble."
Hard already has noticed growth in the participants that she teaches at Robinson.
"The most recognizable change has been the confidence in their work — on and off stage,” she said. “I’ve been told by last year’s artists that they feel more inclined to speak up, take a chance and challenge themselves."
And with arts programs struggling for funding nationwide, such a program is a boon to children, Smith said. “I believe it is more important than ever that Arena Stage provide worthwhile and engaging programs for young people,” she said. “Voices of Now encourages young folks to hear and listen to their voices."
The next Voices of Now ensemble productions including those of Fairfax County student artists are expected to be showcased at D.C.'s Arena Stage in May. In the past, the ensembles also have performed at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, the Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington and the Imagination Stage in Bethesda, Md.
Article s from Fair Fox Times.Com