The Power of the Arts: A Reflection on Our Fall Theater Experiences
This fall, Project Success and our theater partners helped connect more than 5,000 students and families to the transformative power of the arts through an exciting lineup of Theater Experiences. Students and their families had the opportunity to attend theater performances, musicals, and vocal performances, and middle schoolers at Sanford were able to put on their performance. Project Success Theater Experiences are made possible thanks to the generosity of our 50+ Twin Cities theater partners, who donate tickets and childcare spaces and help us coordinate trips to the theater for students, families, and teachers. From the classics to innovative shows, Project Success brought students, families, and educators together for moments of connection, inspiration, and growth.
Since the start of the school year, Project Success has partnered with our incredible theater partners to host a total of 67 evening and weekend theater events, offering over 5,640 tickets to students, families, and school staff. At Sanford Middle School, we produced our first middle school musical of the school year, Into the Woods Jr. with an incredible 108 students participating on stage and as part of the tech crew, bringing this classic musical to life with energy and creativity.
“Thank you for this program, it’s sooooo amazing to make these shows accessible to students.” – PS Teacher
Highlights of the Fall Season
- Ten Thousand Things Theater’s Helen: Performed at Camden High School, this thought-provoking production brought professional theater into our partner school, and sparked engaging conversations with students.
- Additional Shows at the Children’s Theatre: Deepening our partnership with the Children’s Theatre Company, and responding to the requests of our students and families, we added tickets to the shows Zip Zap Circus, Moya, and Drawing Lessons.
- Ragamala: Children of Dharma: On a snowy Halloween, 640 students from Anthony & Justice Page middle schools experienced this show at Northrop. Gaining a deeper understanding of dance as a spiritual practice that can inspire, heal, and transform communities.
- Wonderland Residency with Collide Theatrical Dance Company: Reaching approximately 2,500 students across 10 partner schools, this theatrical dance residency toured our partner schools and encouraged students to destigmatize mental health challenges and reach out for help when they need it. During the Q&A, when dancers would ask students if they knew anyone with the mental health challenges represented in the show (or if they, themselves, experienced them), most students’ hands raised. It was a powerful moment to say the quiet part out loud.
Images of the Collide Theatrical Dance Company performances of Wonderland
Through these highlights and every performance experience Project Success hosted this fall, we saw the power of the arts in our community’s responses:
“We loved having the Collide Dance Group [perform Wonderland] and they did an amazing job! I was impressed by how well the performance communicated to middle school students.” – Assistant Principal at Sanford
“As always, we deeply appreciate the opportunities Project Success offers, opportunities that our family might not be able to afford otherwise. Thank you!” – PS Parent
Whether it is through music, storytelling, or opening up important conversations, the arts inspire us to see the world and each other in new ways. This fall’s lineup of shows has been exceptional in so many ways, and we can’t wait to showcase even more wonderful experiences in the new year!