Local theater companies put kids’ programs in the spotlight BY JESSICA SANTINA Last week, the nation celebrated its fifth annual National Arts in Education Week. One major drama unfolding here in Washoe County and around the country is the severe lack of funding for arts education. Currently, the federal government’s Arts in Education grants program receives $25 million per year—its lowest point since its passage as part of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2002. Despite the growing body of research showing that arts education leads to higher rates of graduation, lower participation in at-risk behaviors, and overall improved outcomes, arts programs in schools limp along at historically low funding levels. In Washoe County, elementary schools offer part-time, pull-out music courses for all students, but have no dance or visual arts; theater classes exist only as electives at middle and high schools. “The first things that get cut are the arts and music,” says Carol Scott, executive director of Wild Horse Theater Company and Children’s Theater in Carson City. “In our community, the high school has the only 18 | RN&R |
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legitimate drama program for kids. It’s really lacking in elementary.” “Arts education has been cut dramatically, no pun intended,” says Andi Glover, TheatreWorks of Northern Nevada’s new executive director. “[Theater studies] aren’t just for those who plan to major in theater or who want to be stars. It teaches so many things about collaboration, personal empowerment, confidence.” Wild Horse and TWNN are among a growing number of theater companies around the Truckee Meadows who are working to fill this gap in arts instruction.
TheatreWorks of Northern Nevada Since its founding a decade ago, TWNN has offered theater classes, workshops and performances for youths and adults alike. Glover explains that TWNN’s classes provide training in all facets of production, from selection of a show to acting, costuming, set design, lighting, marketing and ticketing. Participants deal with a range of material, from fairy tales to shows with a diverse range of mature themes, such as war, bullying and gun violence. And classes aren’t just for aspiring actors; shy kids without an ounce of experience are more than welcome. “We like
students from every walk of life,” Glover says. Classes are available for ages 5 and up. They run year-round (currently on Thursdays), and registration is monthly, with all classes culminating in performances at the Laxalt Theater downtown. In addition to its classes, TWNN works to make theater accessible through its free Artown shows—it’s currently the only local company included in the Monday night Family Series—and its community outreach efforts.
Brüka Theatre Brüka debuted as a children’s theater 23 years ago, and has made children’s offerings a prominent feature every season since. Its annual Theatre for Children production, usually a Grimms’ fairy tale made socially and academically relevant, is aimed at K-6 students and families. Performances are held at Brüka Theatre, in schools and around the Truckee Meadows as part of the Pioneer Youth Programs touring roster, reaching about 8,000 kids each year. Producing Artistic Director Mary Bennett and other theater artists with the company teach kids’ workshops as part of Brüka’s Artist in the House series, and do artist residencies in schools, working directly with students on
elements of performance. Each summer, Brüka also offers a twoweek kids’ camp for ages 8-18, during which students create an original piece of theater, with help from pros, and perform it. “I give them a title and read them a story that’s accessible to kids,” Bennett says. “Then they make a show from that story.” Brüka is also part of the Northern Nevada Cultural Coalition’s 2016 Willpower, a festival in honor of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death. From April to October 2016, members of the NNCC intend to present all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays at theater companies, schools and other locations around the region. Brüka will be putting up Lamb’s Tales—staged readings of four of Charles and Mary Lamb’s Shakespeare stories for children, presented so as to make Shakespeare accessible and enjoyable for children.
Reno Little Theater The fact that RLT recently hired a full-time educational outreach coordinator says a lot about its desire to put kids’ offerings center stage. “Education is a huge factor in our strategic plan and budget,” says Sara Phillips, who holds this new position. Her task has been to determine where the needs of the community
