RBTL Arts Education Programs Host Over 1,000 Local Students For ON YOUR FEET!

The Rochester Broadway Theatre League (RBTL) arts education programs hosted over 1,000 students in grades 3-12, during the run of the national touring production of ON YOUR FEET! last week. ON YOUR FEET! was presented by RBTL and Albert Nocciolino as part of the 2017-2018 M&T Bank Broadway Season at RBTL's Auditorium Theatre. These students studied the themes of ON YOUR FEET! and how they relate to everyday life, prior to attending a performance of the show at RBTL's Auditorium Theatre.

A.R.T.S Partners, was a partnership between RBTL and the Gates Chili Central School District. Units and student-centered inquiries focused on show themes of perseverance, resilience and courage, were written and aligned to the Common Core Standards. RBTL then worked with teachers to adapt these units into age-appropriate lessons for classroom learning and members of the cast visited students while in town. Peter Hens, Principal of Paul Road Elementary School called the program "An amazing, interactive experience for children and adults alike." A.R.T.S. Partners ensures that arts education is a mandatory requirement for students district-wide.

ON YOUR FEET! and Living Healthy, was a partnership between RBTL and the City of Rochester's Recreational Centers (R-Centers). This program integrated the arts and Touring Broadway into a dual-language theater arts physical fitness program in connection with the ON YOUR FEET! production. R-Centers' students attended pre-show workshops addressing issues of cultural identity, immigration, overcoming both social and physical challenges and acquiring the tools to maintain optimum physical well-being. The program promoted ways to build a culture of healthy living and advocated for physical well-being through active participation in the performing arts; specifically the music, dance and story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan.

Theater Team, involved middle school students from the Rochester City School District (RCSD) and other select Districts. Participating teachers blended both theatre and school-required curriculum surrounding ON YOUR FEET! that met common core standards. The program included theatre workshops which incorporated inquiries related to ON YOUR FEET!, a guided Auditorium Theatre tour to learn more about the venue and what it takes to put on a show, and visit from RBTL's Education Department. Jennifer Moses, Music Teacher at Monroe High School said, "The children were in awe at the production and had a magnificent time!"

In addition to these arts education programs, RBTL teamed up with several community partners who studied the themes of the show then brought students to a performance, including Action for a Better Community, Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School, Borinquen Dance Theatre, and the Erinco Femi School.

RBTL believes that arts and performance are among the most eloquent means of understanding and appreciating the human spirit, and therefore must be an essential part of every child's education. Arts and performance education teaches discipline, inspires creativity and helps young people set and reach goals. RBTL is committed to education both in and out of the classroom that engages and encourages children and their families to explore, experience, participate and enjoy the richness of the arts as an essential element of the human experience.

To learn more about RBTL's nationally recognized and award-winning arts education programs, visit www.rbtl.org. And don't miss this year's SUMMER STARS Broadway Day Camp July 9-27. Applications available now - save $100 when enrolling by February 28th.

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