The decision was made easier knowing that Rob James
and Natalie Hatcher would ease into the positions of
producer and director in subsequent years. Both are
Carlynton alumni and as Smith added, “They love these
musicals as much as we do.” James currently works with
the CLO in an artist in residency program with the Propel
charter schools and he has directed and performed in a
variety of Stage 62 musical performances at the Carnegie
Library and Music Hall. Hatcher works as a management
associate for City Theatre on the South Side and also
performs in Stage 62 shows. As the lead in the 1997
production of The Wiz, she won a Gene Kelly Award as
Best Female Lead in the role of Dorothy.
carlynton- Montour school news
arlynton-Montour
{The magic will continue. The friendships will not fade.}
“Walking away from 23 years of musicals is like losing
a part of who I am,” Dedola said. Following the final
performance of The Wizard of Oz, Smith and Dedola know
are leaving the musical in able hands. The magic will
continue. The friendships will not fade.
In the words of Tin Man: “A heart is not judged by how
much you love; but by how much you are loved by others.”
Mary Kay Smith and Lori Dedola were cast in a role in
1982. The success in that role was validated 23 years later
by the thunderous applause and standing ovation as the
curtain closed on their final show.
TIED to the Arts:
Music, Art and Curriculum Showcase
I
magine a crowd of 340 gathered in a school cafeteria
suited for 250? Combine that with 275 vocalists in black
slacks and long-sleeved white shirts. Add risers with 134
chairs and as many performers
with musical instruments and
what do you get? Just another
Tied to the Arts event at Carlynton
Junior-Senior High School.
Tied to the Arts night
showcases the work of students
in grades kindergarten to 12 and
incorporates the visual arts, vocal
and instrumental performances.
Since 2007, eight educators of
the art and music department
have collaborated to demonstrate
the value of the arts by providing
a visual showcase of student work and to illustrate the
benefits “tied” to arts education. An alliteration of the word
TIED grew from this partnership:
T – Thinking skills; creative and critical thinking as well as
problem solving techniques
I – Integration with education; many art and music
classes touch on culture, history, math and even literacy
46 Carlynton-Montour
E – Emotional growth; gained through self-esteem, selfexpression, enjoyment and teamwork
D – Development of fine and gross motor skills and the senses
with an appreciation of beauty
From its inception as a coffee shop
setting with musical ensembles and
an art exhibit in the cafeteria, the
showcase has expanded and now
utilizes the cafeteria, gymnasium and
adjoining hallways. This year, student
artwork was also displayed within the
community, with pieces of art hung
in the Crafton Public Library and the
Carnegie Company coffeehouse.
Tied to the arts has become a
widely celebrat YY