The Transformative Power of the Arts

WHAT WE BELIEVE AT SPA

BY CLAIRE WILLIAMSON Our new strategic plan features We Believe statements that expand on our mission to connect audiences with exceptional artists. Below, we explore some of those statements through the lens of community partnerships, specifically, a recent and rewarding collaboration with The HUB Houston (Heard. Understood. Believed In.). During the past season, our team experienced many challenges and many opportunities for growth and innovation. A reflection on one such opportunity is here. We Believe the performing arts are for everyone and every person is welcome. All people in our community should have access to the performing arts and see themselves represented on stage. Through collaborations with community partners, SPA’s Education & Community programs reached students, teachers, and audiences across Houston both virtually and through physically distanced experiences. A partnership with community school The HUB Houston provided an in-person, distanced, arts appreciation residency to neurodiverse students.

We Believe the performing arts are an essential part of life-long learning; they fuel growth, creativity, self-confidence, aspiration, and empathy. During 10 sessions, students at The HUB experimented self-expression, built self-confidence, and engaged with each other and the arts through a curriculum that explored dance, visual art, theater, and music through the lens of SPA’s exceptional artists. The residency provided opportunities to experiment with different artistic disciplines and genres and followed students’ positive feedback and interests to allow for deep engagement. In this mode of experimentation, SPA Education & Community collaborated with DACAMARA education programs at the school to culminate the program in an outdoor student-crafted song & dance mini-performance. We Believe there is no substitute for the shared experience of live performing arts. The arts are a universal language that create empathy, giving us a deeper understanding of each other and our histories, cultures, and values. When we experience the arts together, we build and strengthen community. The smiles (behind face shields) and ever-increasing positive engagement from students signaled not only the success of the program for the classroom, but also the incredible reward that comes with taking the time and effort to bring the arts and arts education to every community and every student. This simple, weekly shared experience during the spring deepened community partnerships and created a special moment of arts appreciation and exploration for students. These moments make us grateful for the performing arts, for our role inspiring and educating students, and for the tenacity and resilience of our community.

21/22 SEASON FEATURED PROGRAM SOCIETY FOR THE

PERFORMING ARTS presents

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1 | 7:30 PM MILLER OUTDOOR THEATER Nella Rojas, vocals Gilad Barakan, guitar Parker McAllister, bass Jharis Yokley, drums Program to be announced from the stage Duration: 90 minutes, without intermission

Sponsored in part by the City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Born in Venezuela, Nella skyrocketed to international renown fueled by her powerhouse voice and undeniable presence. In a short time, she went from Berklee College of Music graduate to winner of the 2019 Latin GRAMMY® Award for Best New Artist. That same year, her full-length debut, “Voy” (I Go) received acclaim from NPR and yielded the hit “Me Llaman Nella” (They Call Me Nella) which surpassed 1.4 million Spotify streams and 1.4 million YouTube views. In addition, the title track was named the 14th best song of 2019, in any genre, by The New York Times.

Merging the folklore roots of Venezuela, modern production and Andalusian inspirations, her sound resounds in every corner of the globe. Not only has she packed venues throughout the United States, Venezuela, Mexico, Spain and the UK, she has also accompanied Alejandro Sanz, Jennifer López, Carlos Vives, Luis Enrique, Susana Baca, Los Amigos Invisibles, Monsieur Periné, Caramelos de Cianuro and Guaco as a soloist. Notably, Academy® Award winner Asghar Farhadi recruited her to join the A-list cast of his film Everybody Knows alongside Academy® Award winner Javier Bardem, Ricardo Darín and Academy® Award winner Penélope Cruz. Illuminating her talents, she performed songs written exclusively for the screenplay. It opened at the Cannes Film Festival to rapturous applause. Learn more at nellarojas.com. Follow on Instagram @nellarojasm.

“Nella, a Venezuelan singer living in New York who can convey flamenco tension even in a near-whisper.”

The New York Times