CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW)- Anticipation rippled through the Barkers Mill Elementary third, fourth and fifth graders as they witnessed Fern pondering what to name her piglet.
Some students giggled and leaned toward each other’s ears, whispering. Other students shifted forward in their seats at the Roxy Regional Theatre and whispered – a bit more loudly – at the stage.
“Wilbur!”
And that’s the name Fern – played by Kylan Elizabeth Ritchie – landed on.
The Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts at Austin Peay State University recently launched an initiative to provide local schoolchildren better access to the arts, such as a Jan. 29 trip to the Roxy to watch “Charlotte’s Web.” The CECA Arts Experiences grants pay for student tickets and bus transportation.
EXPERIENCES ‘BREAK DOWN BARRIERS’
“By offering these arts experiences, we hope to break down barriers like transportation and ticket cost to give students better access to the arts,” Dr. Janice Crews, CECA director, said.
Barkers Mill music teacher Whitney Swallows agreed. The CECA Arts Experiences Grant she received gave the school’s students access to the Roxy and a professionally performed play.
“They’re seeing only live performances at our school, twice a year, so this was really a treat,” Swallows said. “They were so excited to practice their theater etiquette, to practice their ‘bravo, bravo.’”
The play was a reward for the school’s Kennedy’s Kid winners – two students chosen from each class every nine weeks who exemplify good academics and good citizenry, Swallows added. Eighty-four students attended “Charlotte’s Web.”
“The Roxy Regional Theatre is thrilled to be able to partner with CECA in sponsoring schoolchildren to attend professional productions at the theatre,” Ryan Bowie, Roxie executive director, said. “As they say, teamwork makes the dream work, and for these young children, dreams came true as they sat through our production.”
MORE CECA ARTS EXPERIENCES
Also scheduled this semester as a CECA Arts Experience:
• The Roxy will host Moore Magnet Elementary, Kenwood High and Northwest High students.
• The Nashville Opera will visit APSU and perform for Kenwood and Northeast high students.
• The Customs House Museum and Cultural Center will host Woodlawn and East Montgomery elementary students.
• School visits with professional musicians are planned through the Gateway Chamber Orchestra.
To receive a CECA Arts Experience, teachers complete a simple online form.
LEARN MORE
• For more about CECA.
• For more about the Roxy Regional Theatre.