ENVIRONMENT ARTS YOUTH FAMILY AND ARTS , SUSTAINABILITY
EDUCATION
AND WELLNESS COMMUNITY HEALTH
BALTIMORE CHESAPEAKE BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS - BY ART PEACEFUL WITH A YOUTH HEART SHAKESPEARE SQUASHWISE
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Intern Peer SPECIAL EDUCATION Intern
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Supervisor Peer Mentor : Leisha
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: Nawal Troy Jennings Rajeh Howell
What Supervisor : Annabelle Bacordio
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This summer , I was fortunate to work with Chesapeake Shakespeare Company ( CSC ), Maryland ’ s premier classics theater . CSC proudly performs without curtains and without barriers in settings that are both beautiful and informal , all while bringing a “ Baltimore flavor ” to their work ( CSC Mission Statement ).
I primarily supported CSC ’ s robust education program in downtown Baltimore ( The Studio at the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company ), introducing Shakespeare to elementary and middle school students . Each week of CSC camp followed a theme ( usually a particular Shakespeare show ), culminating in a thirty-minute performance each Friday . As an assisting teaching artist , I led theatre games , coached scenes , and aided campers in memorizing Shakespearean soliloquies . Here , I quickly learned the importance of adaptability in youth programming . Because no two weeks consisted of the same group of students , I often found myself modifying activities to better suit group dynamics ( for example , active games often worked well following periods of intense focus ).
Working at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company has undoubtedly reinforced my passion for arts accessibility . Theatre provides young people a judgment-free space to uncover uninhibited creativity ( one student hilariously came up with a “ Scotland runs on Duncan ” poster during our Macbeth camp ) and , even more importantly , their individual voices . Throughout my summer , I watched reserved children gain confidence and claim space , blossoming into mini performers . Unfortunately , though , programs like the CSC offers are not broadly available throughout the United States . Many children are never exposed to theatre , losing out on key interpersonal development skills .
As a rising senior , I have no idea where I will end up post-graduation ; however , I do know that there are opportunities for theatre outreach and education everywhere . I would not be where I am today ( a nearly graduated performance major ) without a surplus of artistic mentors who took a chance on me , the overzealous wide-eyed girl captivated by live theatre . Every child deserves access to an artistic education , and I am determined to reduce barriers however and wherever I can .
Served as a teaching artist for CSC ’ s ' Summer at the Studio ' youth camp , introducing students to fundamentals of stage performance and design in a noncompetitive environment
Led improvisational theatre games and coached rising second through rising ninth graders on scenes from Macbeth , The Tempest , and Romeo and Juliet before performing a final staged production each week
Researched youth outreach programs at CSC ' s peer Shakespeare theaters and compiled a community outreach directory of over 100 fellow Baltimore nonprofits to further CSC engagement efforts
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