Imagination Stage Insider

A Duck’s Eye View of PETER & THE WOLF Tech Week

2010-02-05T05:33:00.000-08:00

Actress Gia Mora shares thoughts on tech week for Peter & The Wolf:

An actor’s definition of technical rehearsals:

When the safety of the well lit, costume-free rehearsal hall atmosphere disappears, and the process of bringing a show to life leaves the actor’s grasp and is hurled forward in giant leaps by the seasoned hands of the artistic and technical staff of the theatre.

No wonder so many of us find this time terrifying!

Luckily for me this process of letting the other elements of Peter blossom offered ample opportunity for me to endow my puppet, Duck, with a soul.

Patty, as I call her, started as a cardboard mockup--light weight, footless, and blind as a... well, duck with no eyes. Thanks to our incredible puppets/prop mistress Dre, this creature morphed into a much heavier styrofoam and papier mache version of herself. Dre added waddling little legs, wings to help Patty fly, and wiggling feathers for Patty’s shakes and shimmies. Day by day she grew into the amazing hen we see today--eyelashes and all!

Having never worked with large puppets like this (I did a bit of puppeteering in The Araboolies of Liberty Street at Imagination Stage a couple of years ago), I had no idea what a work out I was in for! My shoulders, my hands, my knees. I was sore from top to bottom. This became especially true when Patty’s lighted pond appeared downstage left, hovering between the lip of the thrust... and the three steps leading into the house. After this show I think I will have quadriceps of steel!

It is always a pleasure to come play at Imagination Stage because the production values here are so high. The artistic, technical, and administrative staff, helmed by stage manager Kristen, ensure that every show exceeds the standard expectations of theatre for young audiences, from lights to sound to costumes. I’m sure the kids and parents will enjoy the show as much as I do!

--Gia Mora

Imagination Stage Receives 4 Helen Hayes Award Nominations!

2010-01-29T06:16:00.000-08:00

On Monday, January 25 the nominees for the 26th Annual Helen Hayes Awards were announced. For those of you not familiar with the Awards, they are given in recognition of excellence in professional theatre in the Washington DC area (think the Tony Awards in DC).

While this is always an exciting event and many outstanding artists and productions are recognized, this year was just a little more exciting for us here at Imagination Stage. There is a brand new award: Outstanding Production, Theatre for Young Audiences. Productions in this category must be geared for children age 12 and under. Out of the five nominations, three of them were Imagination Stage shows!

· Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth (Written and Directed by Psalmayene 24)
· Heidi (Written by Martha King De Silva and Joan Cushing, Directed by Janet Stanford)
· Lyle the Crocodile (Written by Kevin Kling, Directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer)

Our three nominations are joined by The Kennedy Center’s production of Barrio Grrrl! and Synetic Theatre’s The Tale of the Fisherman and the Golden Fish.

Our fourth nomination was for the awesome Tara Giordano for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Musical for her portrayal of Heidi!

These nominations are the result of the passion and hard work of a lot of talented and creative people over the past year. We couldn’t be more excited to have this hard work acknowledged.

The winners are announced at a ceremony on April 5. To read a full list of the nominees and to learn more about the great work that the Helen Hayes Awards organization does for the DC community, visit: www.helenhayes.org

Theatre that is truly created for very young children

2010-01-13T11:15:00.000-08:00

For many years, I have been disturbed by the pressure on Imagination Stage to open our productions to children under age four. While I recognize that parents and teachers are nobly seeking arts experiences for pre-school children, I worry that most small children will be overwhelmed by a 400-seat theatre with amplified actors and a 75 minute-long story. I’ve often observed small siblings brought along to one of our shows who are more interested in how the seat flips up and down or in the dangly earrings that a lady in the next seat is wearing. And quite right, too. When you are very small, your immediate world is also small: Mom and Dad and siblings and home are your universe. And you are fully and rightfully engaged in learning the routines of daily life, the rhythms of nature and your first words.

Happily, with a Theatre Communications Group grant funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Imagination Stage has recently been able to create a play for young children that is an age-appropriate introduction to theatre for children ages 2-4. In our 40-minute play, Wake Up, Brother Bear!, children and caregivers are welcomed into a cozy environment. They are greeted by Sister Bear, who gives each child a small bag with some simple toys inside. Sitting on the floor around a circular playing area, children watch as Brother and Sister Bear discover the seasons of the year, meet a butterfly and chase an elusive fish. Children are invited to join in the action throughout the show. In spring they help transform pieces of silk into a “waterfall;” in summer they use tiny flashlights to suggest “lightening bugs” under a night sky: in autumn they throw leaves into the “lake” and see them dance and so forth. All the action is accompanied by live cello. Themes of the cycle of the seasons, sibling relationships and the dreams we pursue underpin the story, which is funny at times, but also reflective, gentle and a delightful exploration of young imaginations.

--Janet Stanford

The Power of the Imagination

2010-01-05T18:05:00.000-08:00

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal entitled “The Power of Magical Thinking” underscores the raison d’etre of Imagination Stage. The article notes that research shows the importance of imagination in children’s cognitive development:

“ for years, imagination was thought of as a way for children to escape from reality, and once they reached a certain age, it was believed they would push fantasy aside and deal with the real world. But, increasingly child-development experts are recognizing the importance of imagination and the role it plays in understanding reality. Imagination is necessary for learning about people and events we don’t directly experience, such as history or events on the other side of the world. For young kids, it allows them to ponder the future, such as what they want to do when they grow up.” [The Power of Magical Thinking, by Shirley S. Wang, the Wall Street Journal, December 22, 2009.]

When we created Imagination Stage (The Bethesda Academy of Performing Arts) 30 years ago, we didn’t know the psychological basis behind our innate understanding of the fact that a fully realized child needs continual and regular access to the three A’s: Academics, Athletics, Arts. That child will grow up to be the empowered, independent thinking, creative adult we need to manage our world – tomorrow.

Disney's Mulan opens!

2009-12-09T12:03:00.000-08:00

Disney’s Mulan has opened to enthusiastic audience and critical response! Here are a couple of photos of the production and also one of our Opening Night party featuring a visiting Terra Cotta Warrior living statue, courtesy of National Geographic. We also have an interactive game on our website. Kids can design and print a Chinese paper lantern. Check it out!

Janet reports on rehearsals of DISNEY'S MULAN

2009-11-16T05:43:00.000-08:00

We’re past the halfway mark in the rehearsal process for Disney’s Mulan which opens at Imagination Stage on Wednesday, November 25 –- less than two weeks from today. This is our biggest musical extravaganza since Seussical in ’05 and I am grateful every day to the terrific team of artists I’m collaborating with. A musical of this scale really requires the skill sets of many specialists. Beside me in the rehearsal hall are Scott Rink, a choreographer with Broadway, regional and national credits, and longtime friends of mine, musical director Keith Tittermary and fight choreographer Linden Tailor.

You could say that my job as Director is to make sure that Mulan’s story is told in the clearest and most compelling way. And that it’s Scott’s job to create beauty through movement; Keith’s job to make the actors sound glorious; and Linden’s job to add excitement. (Or maybe I should call it “fight-citement”! Disney’s Mulan is a story about a girl who goes to war, after all.) But as we work on this music-filled script, we find that there are no hard delineations between what each of the specialists does. Scott, whose genius for creating stage pictures and exciting movement astounds me, will turn to Linden for advice on Tai Chi moves, or a punch that occurs in the midst of a movement section. I turn to Scott for help with how the masks of Mulan’s ancestors float through a scene. Keith will have the guys sing a musical line in falsetto and ask us, “Is that too silly?” Several times it has happened that when we finish a scene, all four director “specialists” descend on the cast with acting, movement, fight and music notes. And, magically, we all seem to be seeing the same vision of where the scene should go. I’ll say something to an actor and he’ll reply, “Oh, Scott just told me that.” “Linden just made that change.” “Keith fixed it.”

This is one of the mysteries of the rehearsal room that I have experienced before and been humbled by: a cast of 11, and four directors all with a passion to tell a particular tale, somehow communicating through intuition rather than words. I am not superstitious but I do believe in a sixth sense that artists inhabit when we create. To quote Mulan, “Sometimes, what can’t be achieved with one’s muscles can be achieved by one’s mind.” In the best theatre, it’s not so much the intellect as the spirit and “one mind” is what the whole artistic team—from designers to performers to deck captains must share in order to move and amaze our audience.
--Janet Stanford

Inclusion Program Testimonial

2009-11-13T10:46:00.000-08:00

Imagination Stage has long had a commitment to inclusion and access for children with physical and/or cognitive disabilities. In summer 2009, supported in part by a grant from the National Inclusion Project (www.inclusionproject.org), we provided inclusion support for 86 children so they could participate in our popular summer camps. These supports consisted of the following:
--Conducting intake meetings with students and their parent/caregiver
--Devising strategies for success
--Creating individualized inclusion summaries
--Working with staff and faculty to make adaptations to lessons and classroom environments
--Follow-up and observation of students in classes
--Modification and adjustments to inclusion supports

Below is a letter to Diane Nutting, Imagination Stage's Director of Access and Outreach, from the mother of a 14 year-old boy with Asperger Syndrome:

“Social interactions and group activities are very difficult for my son. Although enormously interested in a variety of topics…he has little opportunity to share his interests with others. He doesn’t really have friends. At Imagination Stage he got a taste of something different. At your suggestion, he took a class on a topic he know a lot about (Shakespeare), which gave him a sense of security. You provided him with a wonderful dedicated aide, who quietly guided him through any difficult situations that arose, coaching him toward more appropriate interactions…To see him play Feste in the final scene of Twelfth Night on the last day of camp, singing a song with half a dozen children dancing around him, was a dream come true. He breaks out in a grin whenever I remind him of the experience.

Saying people with disabilities are welcome is one thing, but making that commitment meaningful by putting substance behind it is another. What sets Imagination Stage apart, in my experience, is that you and your staff put so much intelligence, enthusiasm, creativity and STAFFING behind your words. From the first conversations I had with you, the questions I asked and the suggestions that were made reflected a real understanding of autism spectrum disorders and the strategies that work to support a student.”

We’ll post another parent letter next week.

An Actress Meets the Extraordinary Woman She Portrayed

2009-11-10T07:30:00.000-08:00

On October 21, percussionist Evelyn Glennie played in concert at Strathmore. The photo to the right was sent to us by actress Erica Siegel (photographed with Evelyn Glennie), who portrayed Evelyn as a young woman in Imagination Stage’s American premiere of Charles Way’s Playing from the Heart last November. Erica said it was “awesome to meet her!” Evelyn recognized Erica from the DVD that was made of the critically acclaimed performance.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the Playing from the Heart DVD, you can come to Just Imagine: the Shop at Imagination Stage at 4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, or call 301-280-1680.

Another trip to Kids Euro Festival

2009-11-08T15:38:00.000-08:00

On Friday Nov. 6th, I had the pleasure of attending A Stitch in Time Saves Nine! by the Das Papiertheatre of Germany as presented at the French Embassy as part of Kids Eurofest. The show, performed by textile artist Suzanne Winter and sculptor Johannes Volkmann, started with a large blank sheet of paper stretched across the stage. The performers used shadow play and simple hand play to enact various stories through the images of sewing and creating patterns, cutting through the paper, stitching it up and actually creating a paper shirt that one of the actors donned at the end. I was fascinated to see how such everyday items as scissors, a sewing machine, a needle and thread could be used to stretch our imagination to see these mundane items in a new and refreshing way.

This kind of theatre is often offered up for children from countries other than the United States, where art is supported thru government funding, but I rarely see this type of performance in the US: art for art’s sake enacted on stage. The US government does very little to support the sort of work that gives artists opportunities to just explore a theme. A Stitch in Time was a lovely opportunity to sit back and see the world in a fresh new way; small moments that become delightful when we take the time to highlight them in such a theatrical atmosphere.
--Kate Bryer, Associate Artistic Director, Imagination Stage

Jim and Carol Trawick Donate $2.5 Million to Imagination Stage!

2009-10-29T06:44:00.000-07:00

Imagination Stage’s Board, staff and friends are celebrating the gift of $2,500,000 from Jim and Carol Trawick. This extraordinary donation, to be given over 10 years, will complete Phase One of Imagination Stage’s “Campaign to Secure the Future,” finishing payment of construction for Imagination Stage’s theatre arts center. Announcement of the gift, at the 30th Anniversary Gala on October 24, was truly a magic moment, greeted with whoops, tears and a standing ovation.

Imagination Stage Founder/Executive Director Bonnie Fogel stated that “Jim and Carol Trawick have made a magnificent gesture to the families in our community. Their gift ensures the sustainability of Imagination Stage now… and forever…. for generations to come. We are inordinately grateful.” Carol Trawick described the gift this way: “It’s all about the children! We’ve seen Imagination Stage grow over the years, following it and supporting it for at least 25 of its 30 years. And the key is that it has remained true to its mission: to bring a wonderful light to children’s lives--the arts, and all of the energy and creativity that it sparks within them. The future echoes the past: the children, the children, the children.”
Phase Two of Imagination Stage’s “Campaign to Secure the Future” is to develop an operating reserve fund, an essential component of a sustainable not-for-profit institution. Thanks to the Trawick gift, Imagination Stage begins Phase Two of the campaign with vigor, enthusiasm and, as always, ambitious plans for fulfilling our mission!

Thoughts on the Kids Euro Festival

2009-10-27T08:57:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, Oct. 25, Imagination Stage Artistic Director Janet Stanford and I joined a group of 100 or so parents and children at the French Embassy attending a puppet show presented as part of the Kids Euro Festival 2009. The show, A Twist on an Old Story: Pinocchio, ran about 30 min. and was performed by Daniele Contu, who operated 4 puppets during the show. Janet and I were pleased to note that this was not the typical telling of Pinocchio, but, as the performer explained afterward, retold as if from a teenage Pinocchio’s point of view. We were amazed to see several new characters added to this version, including the figure of Death (complete with silver sythe), the Devil and even the Pope. In this free adaptation, Pinocchio actually kills his father, then repents hysterically and finally goes to Hell to try to retrieve him. After meeting the Pope and being forgiven for his sins, the boy and his father return to earth, “reborn.” While the show was advertized for ages 6-10, there were very small children in the audience and we noted that most of the audience appeared to be a mix of nationalities. The children were completely engaged with the puppets and the storytelling and because it was very physical and comic at times, no one appeared uncomfortable or bored with the action of the play.

During the post-show discussion, we observed that the international audience did not appear to be bothered by the sight of such characters as Death or the Devil, or even by the quite brutal act of Pinocchio killing his father by beating him with a stick. The audience seemed to understand that this take on the story is totally from the artist’s perspective. It is true that in the original story, Pinocchio “kills” Gepetto by disappointing him time and time again until in the end, he reforms and does go to great lengths to save his father from the belly of the whale. While I do not think that an American audience would be so accepting of such a beloved tale taken to such extremes, we were fascinated to see that at this European festival, the audience was quite accepting of the idea. We wonder why this is?

Is it because in America, we have been so “Disneyfied” that we expect all stories for kids to be sugar coated? Do we as a culture merely expect art to affirm and reinforce what we already believe? And why are we so afraid for our children to see characters like Death or the Devil in our shows? Doesn’t going to the theatre, and having your child question what they have seen offer a great opportunity to discuss the very topics that we parents and teachers find hardest to address with our kids? How do we uncover children’s deepest fears and wildest fantasies? How do we help them to recognize that while everybody occasionally has bad thoughts, we do not have to act upon them. And a show that exposes the horror of patricide to a 6-year old may actually be a healthy way to expel that little devil that whispers in your ear when Dad says “no” to some toy or privilege that you cannot have! Could it be that a somewhat shocking show such as A Twist on an Old Story: Pinocchio offers a safety valve for young imaginations? Perhaps if Oedipus had seen this play when he was little, for example, his infamous tragedy could have been averted!

--Kathryn Chase Bryer, Associate Artistic Director, Imagination Stage

Kids Euro Fest: a Gift to the DC Community

2009-10-15T06:17:00.000-07:00

There is a glorious, almost-new arts opportunity for children and families in the Washington metro area that I want to encourage you to take advantage of. The 27 countries of the European Union have banded together to present the second ever Kids Euro Festival 2009 beginning this weekend and playing at a variety of venues around the region until November 9. This is a tremendous gift to our already arts rich community. But there are so many reasons why you should step outside your usual box of things-to-do-with the kids to check this out. Let me count the ways!

Many European countries are noted for the tremendous artistry of the work they create for children. While the touring productions in this festival feature small casts, they are likely to astound you with their originality and inventiveness.

The festival includes theatre, puppetry, music, mime and magic but my bet is that you’ll find the lines blurring between your usual experiences of any and all of those performance categories. Imagine, for instance, a magic show that treats you to ideas as well as tricks!
You may want to track down some art that relates to your own family’s heritage
Or see an authentic Italian puppet version of an Italian classic like Pinocchio
Or try an un-title like many of these shows which are generated by artists from their own interests and ideas with complete disregard for box office appeal!

Having had the good fortune to travel to many international festivals through my work at Imagination Stage, I can promise you that the effort it takes to book your tickets on line and find some of the unfamiliar venues will be worthwhile. Of the well known titles on offer, I can recommend Little Red Riding Hood by the Patrasket Company of Denmark since I saw it there last year. The two charming performers relate the story with tremendous humor. It is a decidedly low-tech production but somehow this is also a part of the show’s charm.

Other pieces with titles unfamiliar to most Americans but that intrigue me from the brochure descriptions include:
Snufkin and Moomin from Finland
A Stitch in Time Saves Time, a play with a Sewing Machine and Paper from Germany
Hakim, the Dream Robber from The Netherlands, and
Orjan, the Eagle Afraid of Heights from Sweden

You can find the entire list and reserve seats on line at www.kidseurofestival.org In addition to the live shows, there are several movies and interactive workshops. While I know that A Story of Bravery & Love from the Czech Republic is already booked out, as of this writing there are still seats for the two offerings at Imagination Stage:

Oct 17 at 11 AM A film for ages 4+ Folimage Cartoon Madness from France
Nov 7 at 10 AM and 11:30 AM for ages 3+ Amazing Dreams from Spain

Oh, and did I mention this is all FREE!? Well, it is! Just go, and go, and go as I plan to myself. And if I see something I think you shouldn’t miss, check this space. I plan to be writing all month.

--Janet Stanford, Artistic Director, Imagination Stage

To Your Child's Health!

2009-10-14T07:35:00.000-07:00

The German state of North Rhine-Westphalia has an innovative new program to foster “children’s physical, emotional and intellectual health.” Called “Culture Shot,” and written up in the Christian Science Monitor, it provides each child who has a check-up two free tickets to the theatre as the child leaves the doctor’s office.

The premise behind this effort is that “culture fosters better health habits.” And Culture Shot accomplishes two very important aims: making clear that culture is a basic nutrient and not a luxury, and that everyone should experience theatre, regardless of family or social background. We at Imagination Stage whole-heartedly believe in this kind of holistic approach to child development and education and in universal access to the arts for children. So, even as the flu season bears down, we hope to see you at Ferdinand the Bull or at Disney’s Mulan and we wish you and your children Gesundheit.

Comment on Dana Foundation research

2009-09-17T11:51:00.000-07:00

The Dana Foundation has researched and documented what we at Imagination Stage have known for 30 years: “that focused training in any of the arts—such as music, dance or theater—strengthens the brain’s attention system, which in turn can improve cognition more generally.” (http://www.dana.org/news/cerebrum/detail.aspx?id=23206). After 30 years in the arts education business we see daily the lived documents of success in our students – yes, some of our alums have found success on Broadway or television – but most are successful in other fields, for example, Executive Directors, Medical Doctors, University Professors, and the list goes on. On a daily basis, parents might find the effects are more subtle, but cumulatively they are monumental in both cognition and emotional understanding (the old, famed “Emotional Intelligence”). Plus, as we say a lot here at Imagination Stage, it is SERIOUS FUN!

From HEIDI's young choreographer

2009-04-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

People might think the life of a young theatre apprentice would be daunting and, at times, overwhelming. But at Imagination Stage, the apprentice life is far from that! I am one of the five awesome apprentices here. We are a tight group of recent college graduates who get to experience the theatre world on many levels.

My current project: choreographing my first professional children’s theatre show--the world premiere musical Heidi! This seems ridiculous considering I am “only an apprentice”, but that is the beauty of this program. If the staff sees you have a passion for something and you want to try your skills, they will try to provide the opportunity. I have a background in dance and choreography, so getting the chance to have my work seen by thousands over the course of Heidi’s 7-week run is invigorating!

The first rehearsal was nerve-wracking. I am NOT the type of person to get nervous in social situations. I am extremely outgoing, and love meeting new people… but I was scared out of my mind for this rehearsal. I would have to command the attention of 8 professional actors. This required a new perspective; this is the big time… we aren’t in Kansas anymore.

I realized I could shake the nerves when Janet, our Artistic Director at Imagination Stage and the Director of Heidi, began what I like to call “our cohesive creative process.” Choreography in a show that does not have huge dance numbers becomes an intriguing project to tackle. The choreographer must make the movement true to the director’s vision of a piece, or even of a specific actor. So that is where the cohesiveness comes into play. I teach the choreography, and then Janet and I work together to critique the movement based on the story and what needs to be told. A hug reads differently than a curtsy, a repeated rhythm can establish tranquility, and a girl in a wheelchair CAN dance, even if she can’t move her legs. During tech week, I finally got to see my work on the stage on which it was meant to be performed. We made adjustments, which is all part of the process. I can only hope the movement brings light to the play, and that the performance inspires people to look at life from all perspectives: a grandfather, a child--even an apprentice. If you would like to see my work, come see our new musical Heidi!

Broadway leading man Hugh Panaro visits Musical Theatre Conservatory Class

2009-03-16T12:04:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, March 11, Imagination Stage's Musical Theatre Conservatory (Junior Class) received a visit from Broadway leading man Hugh Panaro, in town to sing with the NSO Pops' salute to the music of Jerry Herman. Hugh was most recently seen on Broadway in the title role in the Phantom of the Opera.

Hugh was incredibly generous with his time and experience. After a quick tour of Imagination Stage, he sat down with the class for a question and answer session. He shared his journey to the stage as a young middle schooler who discovered his love of music learning to play the organ. At 12 he was playing 5 services at his church every Sunday! At 13, his parents took him to see his first Broadway musical, starring a young girl from his Philadelphia neighborhood. The girl was Andrea McArdle; the show, Annie, of course! From the moment the curtain went up, it became what Hugh wanted to do.

He advised the students to perform whenever and wherever they got the opportunity. Through his teens, he worked non-stop in the cluster of dinner theaters in the Philadelphia area, as well as in community theaters. Hugh shared the fact that he was not cast in any of his high school plays - including a production of Oklahoma! at an all-girls' school. He went on to study Music at Temple University. After graduation, he moved to New York and began to audition. His first Broadway role was Marius in Les Miserable.

The conservatory students got up to sing for him - all just a bit nervous, especially Derek and Abby, who not only went first, but performed "A Little Fall of Rain" from Les Miz! Another pair, Jackie and Lydia, sang "Who will love me as I am?" from Side Show. (Hugh was in the original cast on Broadway) For each group, he had specific observations and praise. Most of all, he encouraged them to follow their instincts and not hold back!

Another bit of advice I especially liked was to learn your music 200%. When you get on stage, the first 100% goes out the window with nerves, and you will need to rely on what's left!
We ended with a big group photos, lots of camera phone shots and an autograph session. The class gave Hugh an Imagination Stage drawstring bag complete with an IS baseball cap, water bottle, pencils and keychain. We hope he wears it proudly as he heads out to Seattle to take on a new role: George Seurat in Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George. Hugh headed back to his hotel; he had an early rehearsal with the NSO, and needed to spend time learning the difficult role in the Sondheim show.

Many thanks to Dan Villar who accompanied our students, Janelle Albert, who photographed us, Lone Knuteson who video taped the class and Marcy Berger who help with transportation.

--Jeanne Hisle

Imagination Stage appears in Russia on Voice of America TV

2009-02-24T11:38:00.000-08:00

"Bethesda Business Cares" consortium puts together fabulous event at Imagination Stage for underserved kids!

2009-02-23T12:10:00.000-08:00

Nine Bethesda businesses presented a pre-Valentine’s gift to 400 underserved Montgomery County children in the form of a special performance of Imagination Stage’s hit show Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth on Friday evening, February 13 at 6:30 PM. In addition to the show, the nine businesses, calling their partnership “Bethesda Business Cares,” provided bus transportation to and from the theatre, dinner, plus a chance to meet the actors and receive a souvenir of the big night out. On this wonderful evening of high spirits, the business leaders also brought their own employees and family to the performance and served dinner to the attendees.

The participating businesses were: The Jane Fairweather Team; The Gazette; Gifford’s Ice Cream & Candy Co.; Hair Cuttery; The Hollingsworth Group; Honest Tea; Lerch Early & Brewer Chartered; Maggiano’s Little Italy and Monument Bank. The children who attended came from Montgomery Department of Recreation (five different sites), the Silver Spring Boys and Girls Club, the Germantown Boys and Girls Club, The Children’s Inn at NIH and the National Center for Children and Families . One child was overheard telling a friend the show was “Zomotastic!”

Cliff Chiet, Publisher of The Gazette, Montgomery County and The Gazette of Politics & Business, said that “The Gazette decided to get involved with the Bethesda Business Cares event because The Gazette really does care about our local community and supports the positive impact that the arts can make in the life of a child. Zomo the Rabbit was the perfect story about the importance of “doing the right thing” and the value of “friendship.” Imagination Stage is a jewel in the crown of Montgomery County. One of the most important values of any community is the relationship that businesses have with helping to enhance the “culture” of the community where their employees reside.”

Jane Fairweather, one of the organizers, says that “Imagination Stage is a special gift to the Bethesda community that we want to be able to share with children everywhere.” Phil Andrews, Montgomery County Council President joined in the evening’s festivities—and was so impressed by what he saw, that he returned the next day with his family to catch a performance!

Bonnie Fogel, Imagination Stage’s Founder and Executive Director, was delighted by the partnership. “These generous business people have come together to give the gift of theatre to children who might not otherwise have the chance to experience live theatre. They are a shining example of people creatively collaborating to make a big difference in the lives of children.”

Concluded Chiet: “it sends a powerful message to the community when local businesses show they care and continue to invest in their own backyard despite an economic downturn. When the economy is strong, most businesses thrive and some take it for granted. However, when times get tough, it humbles us to appreciate what we have and causes many to look inside themselves and re-evaluate the significance of their own existence and the impact that they are making in the world around them. It is extremely rewarding to be able to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate and to create new experiences for underserved communities.”

The good cheer at Imagination Stage on February 13 was palpable, and it's hard to say who had more fun, the children or the sponsors!

--Laurie Levy-Page

Zomo Promo

2009-02-03T10:31:00.000-08:00

Greetings, Imagination Stage blog community! With the run of Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth in full swing, I'm hoping most of you have had a chance to view our preview/promotion video. If not, here's your chance!

As a part of the promotional video production team, it has been an absolute joy and honor to speak with such special, talented actors/directors/choreographers/stars! Creating this promotional video was no different.

Unlike past promotional videos, however, we were able to capture a number of different scenes live on stage - the energy from the cast, crew, and most importantly, the audience, gave me goosebumps...even from behind the camera!

Don't miss out on this special Winter World Premiere - there are just a couple weeks left!

Happy February,

Andrew Gordon
Marketing Associate

Everybody Plays

2009-01-08T05:23:00.000-08:00

Recently, Imagination Stage adopted the slogan “Everybody Plays” to highlight our programs and services for students with disabilities. From its inception, Imagination Stage has had a commitment to empowering children of all abilities through the arts. For many years, we have offered peer group classes through our Access program which provide focused instruction for students with disabilities in a smaller class setting. Through the years, as the disability community has changed, our programming has changed as well. Imagination Stage has recently entered into a partnership with Kids Included Together to strengthen our model of inclusion and the supports we offer students with disabilities, whether they choose to be in a peer-group Access class or in an inclusion setting with typically developing peers.

When creating an inclusive class or camp, we often initially focus the majority of our attention on the child who has identified as having a disability. And rightly so. Our staff talks with parents to discover the unique facets of their child, and then works with faculty members to help create an inclusive classroom environment that will guarantee a successful experience. Access staff might suggest specific classroom strategies, or place an assistant in the room to help facilitate inclusion in the classroom. As we focus on creating an equitable experience for the child with a disability—we have found it equally exciting to watch how inclusion impacts children without disabilities.

In inclusive settings, students learn the tools to successfully dispel preconceived notions, break down barriers and create common ground. Inclusion teaches patience—as children learn the benefit of waiting to hear what a peer has to say (even if it takes that student longer to say it). Inclusion fosters creativity—we find that children often come up with better and more creative inclusion solutions than any of the adults. Inclusion teaches children that there is no “one way” to do anything—there are different ways to communicate, different ways to comprehend, different ways to act, sing and dance. Inclusion teaches children to accept individuals for who they are—valuing the unique strengths that every student brings to the table.

As Director of Access and Outreach, I get to foster these types of learning moments and hear of our success stories around our “water cooler” each day. However, last summer, I had the opportunity to personally see the tenets of inclusion in action as I directed a production of Willy Wonka Jr. which included several students who had identified as having a disability. From day one, our staff emphasized that everyone brought special gifts to the production process. As we began to navigate the daily routine and the needed inclusion supports for each activity, I began to notice that the emotional environment of my company was changing. My students began to take care of each other—as fellow actors and as fellow humans. And “taking care” did not mean “looking after the students with disabilities.” No, each student—disabled or not—seemed to reach beyond themselves to care for each other and for the well-being of the ensemble as a whole.

On the day of the performance, I watched my students sing the coda of the song “Pure Imagination”—which they also signed in American Sign Language:

If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it.
Anything you want to, do it.
Want to change the world? There’s nothing to it.
I was struck by the poignancy of these lines in the moment. Looking around at my ensemble, I realized that these students would indeed be able to change the world. And that the experience of this summer was perhaps helping to lay the foundation for a world where diversity is cherished, acceptance is routine, and inclusion is a way of life.

By Diane Nutting

Give Joy!

2008-12-15T11:33:00.000-08:00

I'm making my New Year's resolution early this year – to give gifts that will bring my loved ones real joy and a wonderful experience, not just more stuff to clutter up their self-storage units or some landfill.

As a member of the Development Team here at Imagination Stage, I often have the pleasure of watching children with their parents, extended family or friends enjoying one of our professional shows in the Lerner Theatre, a student show in the Reeve Theatre or a 'sharing' at one of our classes. The joy and delight on their faces as they watch and as they leave the building is a daily reminder of why we do what we do at Imagination Stage. I often hear later from parents and grandparents that they had a wonderful discussion with their children on the way home, spurred by what they saw in the play or did in class.

This is 'serious fun' - children learn important ideas and concepts from our plays, and those who take our classes or summer camps learn skills as well. But they may not notice, because they're having so much fun! Parents notice, though, and as children grow up, they appreciate what they learned here as well.

We know that theatre teaches kids many skills that are useful in other endeavors in life – self-discipline, how to collaborate with peers and leaders, self-confidence, the ability to listen to one's heart and mind and express oneself clearly; you get the idea. We hear this from professional educators and politicians as well. Here is a video clip from Gov. Martin O'Malley regarding the importance of the arts in education.

The current economic challenges that the whole country is facing have already led to a cut of $75,000 from public funding sources to Imagination Stage, and we have worked very hard to reduce our expenses accordingly. Further reductions in funding may come, but we are fighting to keep all our programs in place.

We are grateful for the support of all our friends. Join them, and give joy not only to your own loved ones, but also to the children and families of the entire region!
--Barbara Rollins, Director of Annual Giving

Not-for-profits and the Economy

2008-12-08T10:23:00.000-08:00

As we listen to the news, we hear the word “bailout” approximately every five minutes. The banks had very bad judgment and they are receiving a bail out; the automakers came to Washington for a second time last week to request a 25 billion dollar bailout for, essentially, poor planning and bad management.

Yet our society is also dependent on the “NGOs,” the nongovernmental organizations (not-for-profits), to teach, to enlighten and to care for its citizens. So, as the economy tanks because of poor management and oversight by the government and for-profit companies, the not-for-profits that support Americans every day are being hurt in the fall out. The State of Maryland recently cut state arts funding by 15% with promises of more cuts in the future. The state cuts were across the board – education, social programs, government programs – the essential infrastructure of our society. So, where is the bailout for the not-for-profit sector? Unlike automakers, community nonprofits have no ‘fat’ to cut to balance a budget. Services or staff are the only things to go.

Not-for-profits are intertwined with every aspect of society and are pinched, proportionally, the hardest. As Teresa Eyring, Executive Director of Theatre Communications Group, points out – “when the stock market drops, institutional investments and individual investments drop – (this results in) a direct hit on the contributed income of an organization; as people watch the value of their earnings and retirement shrink, they are less likely to spend money for a theatre ticket or fundraiser. As unearned and earned income drops, institutions are hit by the credit crunch – borrowing for facility improvements or accessing lines of credit will become increasingly difficult. The inability to borrow for the short term could have serious consequences.”

At Imagination Stage, we are taking the economic downturn very seriously. We have cut our budget by 10%. We have cancelled three student productions, increased earned income offerings, and are furloughing employees while instituting a hiring freeze. We have made a commitment to be strategic and lean in our program plans for 2010 – our 30th anniversary. We have likewise re-committed to our mission – theatre and arts education programs which nurture, challenge, and empower young people of all abilities-- we will continue to find ways to serve our constituency.

Whether it’s Imagination Stage or your neighborhood arts center, please be aware – we may be smiling and our facility’s doors are still open – but behind the scenes it is a serious time with tough decisions all around. Be supportive: donate what you can; volunteer when you can; or simply be there.

By Bonnie Fogel and Brett Crawford

If you love what you do, you'll never spend another day at work

2008-11-25T09:54:00.001-08:00

For more than fifteen years I’ve been with the Deaf Access Program at Imagination Stage, and I love what I do! Back in 1993 we had a group of Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing teenagers, a meager budget, Tuesday night rehearsals, painted cubes for a set, props that included umbrellas with cookie cutters hanging from them, lights that were either on or off, a dedicated group of staff, a lot of fun, and of course an outstanding production.

In 1998 we received our first of 3 three-year grants from the U.S. Department of Education, and everything started to change for the better. We had enough teenagers to create two Deaf Access companies, and enough funding to hire professional set, sound, and costume designers, and of course we still had Tuesday (and now also Wednesday) night rehearsals, a dedicated group of staff, a lot of fun, and two outstanding productions. We also brought in professional guest artists (deaf and hearing) to meet with our teens, to show them the professional world of theatre outside of our doors.
In 2003 we moved into a brand new theatre in downtown Bethesda, where our students performed Pinocchio Commedia for their debut in the new space. We added lighting designers to our professional roster, and continued to grow. We partnered with well-known children’s author Phyllis Limbacher Tildes who had been inspired by our Deaf Access Company to write The Garden Wall about two children, one Deaf and one hearing, who become friends. We added programming for middle-school deaf, hard of hearing and hearing students who were clamoring to work together. All while we continued to be inspired by our students, encouraged by our audiences and enthused from one another.

In 2008 our funding opportunities ran out. The program has changed, but our enthusiasm remains strong. When the economy picks up, and our funding becomes stable, we will still be here, loving what we do.

By Wendy Calhoun

"There are two alternatives when dealing with a disability; either it dominates you or you dominate it."

2008-11-17T05:58:00.000-08:00

Poet David Wright (who is deaf) might not have ever met Dame Evelyn Glennie, but his statement could easily define her outlook on deafness. Determined from a young age that people around her needed to see her for what she could do instead of for what she couldn’t hear, Evelyn’s story is a true inspiration to all of us.

Seeing the person first, and not the disability, is at the forefront of Imagination Stage’s Access programs. Since 1988, Imagination Stage has worked with members of our community who have disabilities and pioneered a number of innovative and successful approaches to inclusion.

Recently Imagination Stage’s Access program was selected as one of five organizations nationwide to become a national affiliate of Kids Included Together (KIT). As an affiliate, we have embarked on a two-year partnership which includes opportunities for training and consultation to both Imagination Stage staff and faculty on a regular basis with regards to inclusion supports in the classroom for students with disabilities. In 2009 Imagination Stage staff will be trained as Inclusion trainers to then serve as a regional resource for inclusion of students in out-of-school time programs.

The process of Inclusion at Imagination Stage is much like that of the work of an orchestra – each part is vital to providing its own sound, and contributing to the success of the group as a whole. Our instruments are supportive parents, nurturing faculty & staff, and welcoming peers. Working together they create an environment that celebrates each person’s ability to participate in the arts, and seeing that magic happen week after week here at Imagination Stage is music to my ears.

By Lisa Agogliati, Deaf Access Program Director

"Nobody really knows what it's like to be someone else"

2008-10-31T05:15:00.000-07:00

There’s a beautiful moment in Imagination Stage’s newest play, Playing from the Heart, when a father is talking to his despairing teenage daughter. He’s doing his best to comfort and support her through high school where she’s struggling to fit in and succeed in orchestra class. Little wonder since despite being diagnosed as profoundly deaf, young Evelyn is intent upon a career in music! “Nobody,” he tells her, “really knows what it’s like to be someone else.” It’s a moment of honesty, of a harsh truth. The words comfort Evelyn because they are offered out of love. But the statement is big. It speaks to one of the tragedies of the human condition. We are ultimately alone. With all the diligence in the world, our parents cannot always protect us from harm, from accidents of birth, from fate. With all the will in the world, our parents cannot always give us what we most desire from life. We must each find our own way and wherewithal to pursue our dreams. Understanding this fact, accepting it, persevering anyway, is part of growing up.

That said, the paradox that delights me is that a play like Playing from the Heart does much to mitigate the isolation we may sometimes feel as individuals trapped in our singular consciousnesses. The journey on which playwright Charles Way leads us through the young life of internationally renowned solo percussionist Evelyn Glennie allows every audience member to imagine what it’s like not just to be someone else, but someone else who is extraordinary. We share her young life on a farm in Scotland, we feel her fear as she loses her hearing, we applaud her determination to pursue music, we share her frustration with the naysayers, and laugh and cry at her ultimate success.

To my mind this kind of children’s theatre is true entertainment. It allows a child in the audience to “entertain” a life experience that she has never had. It allows her, from the safety of her seat, to imagine how devastating it would be to feel one of her senses slipping away. It sensitizes her to the perspective of people with hearing loss, or indeed to anyone else whom she might previously have been tempted to underestimate due to their class, their color or their country of origin.

Yes, Evelyn’s Dad is ultimately right that nobody really knows what it’s like to be someone else. But a well written play can take us pretty darn close!
JS