Meet the Students of RSP: West Side Story—Maya Bhat

July 9, 2019

By Anya Shukla, RSP Marketing Intern

Stage managers are the glue that holds a show together. In charge of making sure the process runs smoothly, the RSP stage managers work nonstop—coming into a five hour rehearsal an hour early, leaving an hour late—to make sure that West Side Story is flawless. Maya Bhat, the Production Stage Manager, has been working as a stage manager for five years and is well-versed with the hard work ethic and assertive leadership necessary to run a tight rehearsal room. Describing her job as “a mix of housekeeping and bossing people around,” if any issues come up during rehearsal, Maya must deal with them on the fly while still maintaining order. I talked to Maya about her job, as well as some stressful moments and how RSP has taught her to deal with them.

What’s your favorite song in West Side Story?

Okay, this is really hard. I think I have to go with “Gee Officer Krupke,” just because I love the choreography. But it’s hard for me to pick a favorite.

Do you think you’ll be a stage manager later in life?

I don’t think so. I think part of what I love about stage managing is that there’s a magic onstage with theater. I worry that the glamour of it goes away when it becomes a job. It’s something that’s so fascinating and magical right now, and I don’t want to ruin it.

Is there anything you’re looking forward to?

I’m really excited for us to move upstairs from DAT5, the rehearsal studio, to the theater. Because this is really professional stuff that we’re doing, we’re on The 5th Avenue Theatre’s stage. Calling a show at The 5th—that’s crazy. How many people can say that they’ve done that? But, tech rehearsals is my most stressful time.

Why is it so stressful?

It’s when my part comes in. Since I’m calling the show, I’m going to be dictating when all the tech elements happen. The actors have all learned their show and tech is when I have to learn my part for the performances. This is my turn to practice and I have a lot shorter time period to do so, so there’s pressure to learn everything quickly. And the days are long—10 hours—with no breaks.

What exactly does “calling the show” mean?

During the show, anytime there is anything technical involved—a light cue, a set cue, anything involving the rails—I have to call that. I’ll be sitting stage right, and I’m watching. So when I say “lights down,” I’m telling the person on the lightboard that the lights need to change. Anytime there’s a technical element, I have to tell them it’ll happen. So that’s why it’s so stressful. Obviously if it’s a light cue and it’s a second or two wrong, the audience isn’t going to notice, but I’m going to notice. So I have to make sure everything goes well. It’s a lot. I’m excited, but it’s a lot.

What was the hardest moment of this process?

Two weeks ago, we had a rehearsal where we were working notes. We just had a run-through of one act, and we were going through and working certain scenes. We were jumping all over the place, and it was just one very hectic day where we didn’t have a schedule. I felt that I had no idea what was going on, the actors had no idea what was going on. I completely failed that day: the rooms where chaos; we were missing people; it was a mess. I talked with my mentors after and they gave me a lot of good advice: about how to take charge, how to take a second to establish what you know. We had two or three more days like that, but they weren’t hectic. I figured out what I needed to do, how to work with things that I don’t know. I just had to move on. It was a bad day, but I kept going.

And that’s related to what you do during performances: if you call a cue wrong, you have to be able to move on.

Yeah. My favorite thing that the professional stage manager said was: “At the end of the day, it’s just a play. The world’s not going to end if you call a light cue late. It’s not a big deal.” We’re not perfect. You just have to be okay with making mistakes and learning from them. Things go wrong in theater every single second. Nothing ever perfect. You just have to move on and make something out of nothing.

Rising Star Project: West Side Story runs July 12-13. Click here for tickets and info.

Rising Star Project is a tuition-free program made possible through a generous grant from The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation with additional support from the following sponsors: The Hearst Foundations, The Herman and Faye Sarkowsky Charitable Foundation, Schultz Family Foundation, Susie and Phil Stoller, RealNetworks Foundation, Michael Amend and Jeffrey Ashley, Linda and Kevin Cheung – Start It! Foundation, GM Nameplate, The Jean K. Lafromboise Foundation, Tom and Judi Lindquist, Claudia and Bob Nelson, Todd and Donna Rosenberg, Seattle Rotary Service Foundation, Elizabeth and Gary Sundem, and Becca and Bill Wert.

Meet the Students of RSP: West Side Story—Frances Vonada

July 9, 2019

By Anya Shukla, RSP Marketing Intern

West Side Story is known for its music. Without student music directors, our RSP production would be without iconic numbers like “I Feel Pretty” and “America.” A music director, someone who teaches a show’s music to the cast, is a vital, yet often overlooked part of the creative team. Music directors focus on telling the story through song, and RSP students work diligently with Julia Thornton, the Head Music Director, to do just that. I met with Assistant Music Director Frances Vonada to learn more about music directing and her RSP experience.

What’s your favorite song in West Side Story?

Oh, that’s so hard! I love the “Tonight Quintet.” It’s just so powerful, and it’s great to have everyone onstage. But “Gee, Officer Krupke” is also hilarious.

Could you describe your job?

Music direction for a musical is super important, because music is so integral to the structure of the show. A music director has to think about the show, think about the story. So it’s as much learning notes as it is examining the characters–examining the character’s objectives and tactics, how they’re singing this song to get where they want to be.

Does the music director work with the director and choreographer to tell the story?

As a part of the creative team, it’s the music directors’ job to direct the overall vision of the show and support the main director. We convey the same amount of story through the music as the director does in a scene and the choreographer displays through movement, so we’re all just working together to convey one cohesive story and one cohesive message.

Have you done any music directing before?

It’s completely new. I’ve done theater before at my school, but I’d done very little outside of that, and I’ve never done any kind of work as a music director. All of this has been a steep learning curve, because I’m working with adults and kids who’ve done this before. But overall, I’ve learned a ton.

What has your favorite part of the process been so far?

I think the character work is very interesting. Just sitting in with Julia and sometimes in the one-on-one music sessions, talking through a character, talking through their motivations and who they are, that’s been really fascinating.

Has there been anything unexpected?

The speed at which we’ve worked has been crazy. I’m used to working with the timeline of fourteen, sixteen weeks of rehearsal, but we’re doing a full show in six weeks. It’s the intensity and the focus that we’re working with that has surprised me.

Could you speak to the mentor-mentee relationship in RSP?

Julia Thorton is the music direction mentor and she has been so incredibly helpful. She’s always been clear and communicative with Tony and me. But then beyond the show, she’s given me a whole lot of advice about college. And she’s also invited me to sit in on some other rehearsals that’s she’s working on.

Are you interested in music direction as a career?

Yes. I think it’s scary, because my parents don’t have any experience in the arts. But I’ve given a lot of thought to what this would actually look like as a career.

And since this is your first time as a music director, do you think RSP has shaped that decision?

Definitely. A year ago, I didn’t even know what a music director would do. And this has given me a lot of insight into what a rehearsal process actually looks like and how a production works. I haven’t had a ton of experience in other theaters, so just being able to see how The 5th puts on a show and how they direct has been really great.

Rising Star Project: West Side Story runs July 12-13. Click here for tickets and info.

Meet the Students of RSP: West Side Story—Alia Antón

July 9, 2019

By Anya Shukla, RSP Marketing Intern

Some Rising Star Project cast members have been in musicals since elementary school, but this is Alia Antón’s first professional show. But that doesn’t mean Alia, who plays Maria, isn’t ready to take on the challenge. Although she had always thought of herself as a mezzo-soprano, when offered her role in December, Alia was faced with a character whose voice sat several steps higher than she was comfortable singing. However, for the past six months, she has been working with a special voice teacher to access that upper register. Her work has paid off: at the most recent run-through, she appeared a natural soprano, with no apparent stress about hitting the high C. I sat down with Alia to get her take on Maria and RSP in general.

What’s your favorite song in West Side Story?

I love all of them so much, but I think “Somewhere.” I really like the hopefulness of it, how Tony and Maria are seeing what could be. Plus it’s just beautiful music.

What brought you to RSP?

The biggest reason for me was the experience. I just wanted the experience of what it’s like to be in such a professional setting and have that responsibility. Because high school theater is amazing, but this is just on such a different level. So I really just wanted to learn as much as I can, and I have. I’ve learned so much. It’s only been a couple months and I feel so many things have just clicked for me.

I know you do some character work as part of rehearsal. Could you describe what you’ve discovered through that?

Maria’s so strong. Oh my gosh. West Side Story is based on Romeo and Juliet, but Maria doesn’t do what Juliet does at the end of the show, and I think that’s just one example of how strong she is. And in her songs and her notes–they’re such beautiful long lines of melody–but because they’re so high you have to have core strength. So in the music itself it’s written that she has this beautiful outlook on life, but she also has inner strength.

What’s the hardest moment been?

Getting out of my head. Especially in the beginning, it was just: “okay what’s my next line, where am I supposed to cross, I need to get this right.” And then it wasn’t authentic; it wasn’t honest: it was robotic. When they told us to really listen to each other, that’s when it switched. Then it wasn’t that we were playing parts, but that we were telling this story. And also the music and the singing–I think that’s been really hard: finding a singing voice that I’ve never used before and being confident in it. I find myself every now and then thinking, “That note is hard. Am I going to hit it?” But I have to believe that I can do it, because if I hesitate, it won’t be there. I just have to tell myself: “I can do this.”

If you had to choose one thing, what would your favorite part of the process be?

The community. Everyone’s working together with this goal: to tell the story as truthfully and honestly as possible, which I think is amazing. I love a good day off, because it’s a taxing show, but sometimes days off are hard for me because I just want to see everyone and work on the show. Especially because it’s going so fast: I just want as much time with everyone and everything as I can.

Is there anything you’ve learned about yourself during RSP?

I just need to be open to everything. Everything can be a learning experience. Things aren’t going to happen the way I think they’re going to happen, but that’s okay.

Rising Star Project: West Side Story runs July 12-13. Click here for tickets and info.

Rising Star Project Puts Theater in the Hands of Youth

May 20, 2019

By Anya Shukla, RSP Marketing Intern

This summer, nearly 100 high school students from all over Washington State will convene at The 5thAvenue Theatre for Rising Star Project: West Side Story. West Side Story, the awe-inspiring musical, beloved by many, reimagines Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in the context of gang violence and racial prejudice. Although created 50 years ago, West Side Story is still as impressive, vibrant, and influential as ever; this Rising Star Project production of West Side Story makes the show new again.

This special production is part of The 5th Avenue Theatre’s Rising Star Project, a program that places musical theater in the hands of tomorrow’s artists, innovators, and leaders. Rising Star Project allows teenagers to develop professional skills by producing and performing a musical on The 5th’s mainstage. Students will remount The 5th’s professional production of West Side Story (playing May 31 – June 23, 2019), created by an all-student cast and crew, as well as students working in producing, development, marketing, and casting departments, with guidance and mentorship from The 5th’s staff.

Rising Star Project helps every young person achieve a fulfilling career, a stronger sense of self, and confidence in their ability to inspire positive change in the world. The Rising Star Project strives to take a proactive role in creating a theater community which is inclusive and representative of our region; provide students with direct mentorship from working theater professionals, introducing them to the diversity of viable careers in the theater industry; create a collaborative and authentic learning environment in regard to professional practices and expectations; connect students to American musicals not only as vehicles for self-expression, but also as significant artistic achievements, rich texts, and unique expressions of our nation’s history and heritage; and support classroom learning by providing quality arts-based education experiences for students—both at The 5th and in-residence throughout the community and in areas where opportunities for arts education are limited.

With quintessential score and choreography, West Side Story brings a relevancy to musical theater, coupling artistry with a reexamination of bias and stereotyping. The production, remounted entirely by students, makes the storytelling even more special. Audiences will watch a cast of dedicated high schoolers perform this iconic and sweeping tale with all the grace, passion, and quality of its mainstage counterpart. These students are only two weeks away from beginning rehearsals, while the arts admin and creative teams have already begun their work over the past few months. Soon, The 5th Avenue Theatre will be filled with teenage laughter, chatter, and excitement as youth prepare to make this expansive show a success.

Rising Star Project: West Side Story runs July 12-13. Click here for tickets and info.

Something’s Coming…

April 25, 2019

We recently sat down with four of this year’s students to ask them questions about musical theater, West Side Story and their hopes for Rising Star Project’s seventh year…

Since October, teens from across our region have been coming to The 5th after school and on weekends to learn about theater careers and train with professional mentors. The group of more than ninety-five young people will ultimately mount their own production of West Side Story in July – taking on roles not only on stage but on the technical crew, in the costume and wardrobe and hair and makeup departments, in the orchestra—as well as in marketing, development, producing, stage management, artistic leadership, and casting.

We recently sat down with four of this year’s students to ask them questions about musical theater, West Side Story and their hopes for Rising Star Project’s seventh year…

What do you think is about to happen?

Oanh (Stage Crew, sophomore at Rainier Beach High School) is the first to break the ice. “A hundred teenagers scuttling about the theater? Trying not trip over seats and cords? It’s basically going to be like at school – probably… but more organized? Since it’s professional! But I haven’t worked at a professional theater before, so I can’t make that kind of assumption.”

The group laughs, realizing this is truly the first time that any of them will take part in a production of this scale.

What are your Rising Star Project teammates going to be learning about you in the coming weeks?

Jackson (Tony, junior at Mount Rainier High School): “Well—before I got into theater I was the ‘sports guy.’ I did football, baseball, tennis, soccer, swimming, gymnastics. I did all these sports, like: ‘I’m an athlete and I’m going to play football and baseball be in the Hall of Fame of both!’ But my parents actually met singing in a choir and my dad has done theater his whole life and my mom has always sung. When my sister started getting into choirs and theaters, I thought it seemed interesting and my parents would tell me “Oh, you have a voice – but you’re just so shy…” so I started singing in choir with my sister to see if I could gain more confidence. And then I started doing some shows… Until, when I was in middle school—and I had to choose between a production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang or football. I decided that I wouldn’t do football – that I’d try to audition. And I got a role. I think that role was when I was like, ‘I really like this…more than sports.’ That was a definitive moment for me. Now everything is theater and music.”

Oanh: First, I’m on the stage crew and I’m interested in lighting… but ironically I’m afraid of heights–so it’s difficult for me to be on the catwalk. And second, my eyes are really sensitive to lights. But I guess I really enjoy pushing buttons. My main role at school is as a Technical Director, which is more about telling people to push buttons instead of actually pushing the buttons. But I enjoy pushing the buttons, too. It’s a lot of fun. And I’m enticed by all of the fancy equipment that they have here [at The 5th].

Diego (Arts Administration: Community Engagement, senior at Ballard High School): Over the course of high school, I’ve gotten more and more involved with community organizing. I love theater, but negotiating the two spaces and going back and forth can be difficult at times. So part of what I’ve been trying ask myself over the past couple of years is—how do I make it so that when I come from a community organizing space into a theater space I still feel the same energy and I don’t feel like the two are in conflict with each other? And how do we bring the ideas from one into the other? What are the ways that the people around us have made art for generation and generations and generations and have made it equitably and ethically and beautifully? I think theater is another form of organizing the community around something – around an idea and around action.

Alia (Maria, senior at Skyline High School): When I was in kindergarten, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She’s eleven years in remission now—which is great—but during this experience, I learned that time is so fleeting and you never know what’s going to happen… As cliché as that sounds. But my family really instilled in me that I should do what I really want to do with my life—again, because you never really know what’s going to happen. I started doing theater for fun. But over the past few years, I started to get more serious about it and realized that theater does have an impact. And I’m not at an operating table or working as a nurse, but I could still have the power to affect people and maybe save lives. You can help someone laugh or smile… Or, with a show like West Side Story, you have the opportunity to reach out and open their mind to a point of view that is new to them.

Rising Star Project production of West Side Story runs July 12-13. For more information, visit www.5thavenue.org.

Rising Star Project Recap! 10-Minute Musicals

March 22, 2018

This season, 47 Rising Star Project teens from 31 different schools across the Puget Sound region immersed themselves in the complex and exciting process of creating new musicals. Students were given the opportunity to participate in multiple ways: as book writers, composers and lyricists; directors and music directors; stage managers; actors; marketing and public relations administrators; and producers.

This year’s 10-Minute Musicals were written in response to one of the most popular stories featuring teenagers—Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. For six months, participants spent over one hundred hours at The 5th learning from a local playwright and professional theater artists. Thirteen writers created six distinct stories incorporating a diversity of musical genres from cumbia and rock to jazz and soul. Two of the musicals featured Deaf actors and incorporated American Sign Language. The program culminated four performances at The 5th, the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, the Centilia Cultural Center at El Centro de la Raza, and the Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center—which were attended by hundreds of friends, family and community members.

“I think it has been amazing—seeing the final presentation and seeing these stories and feeling something I have never quite felt before: that a group like this could be given the power to tell our stories. This permission that I have been given feels like it is going to last me for the rest of my life. I am allowed to tell whatever stories I want and write music with whatever sounds I want and musical theater can be whatever I want it to be.“ – Diego Ortiz Villacorta San Juan, student writer

“I remember there was one day [while we were still workshopping the musicals] and I just had this feeling when I went in the room that I knew what my goals were. And I just felt like I did a good job leading that workshop and I helped [the writers and actors] make discoveries and . . . that was the first day I ever felt like, wow, I can do this. This has helped me realize that I do have the talent to be able to follow my dreams.” – Emilio Torres, student director

10-Minute Musicals, part of our Rising Star Project, is completely tuition-free and made possible by a generous grant from The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation with additional support from the following sponsors: The Boeing Company, Schultz Family Foundation, Susie and Phil Stoller, RealNetworks Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Washington State Arts Commission, Linda and Kevin Cheung – Start It! Foundation, GM Nameplate, The Jean K. Lafromboise Foundation, Claudia and Bob Nelson, Seattle Rotary Service Foundation, Elizabeth and Gary Sundem, and Becca and Bill Wert.

Thank you to all of this year’s Rising Star Project sponsors and supporters!

What’s in a Name?

February 14, 2018

“What’s in a name?”

By Ruby Sachs, Rising Star Project Communications Student

“What’s in a name?” A passionate group of high school students from all over Washington has been coming together to ask themselves that very question since mid-September, creating a series of six original ten-minute musicals based on Romeo and Juliet. This week, their months of hard work are finally starting to come to life with the beginning of auditions and the rehearsal process.

Nestled below Downtown Seattle in The 5th Avenue Theatre rehearsal space, magic is taking place. Music explodes from practice rooms where actors work on learning songs and preparing for the auditions that are taking place this week. Next door, the dedicated writers add the finishing touches to the scripts that they have poured their souls into for the past few months. The 5th Avenue Theatre is as vibrant and busy as the Seattle streets that are bustling just overhead.

Sitting down with Rising Star Project student directors Emilio Torres, Maddy Angelos, Gaby Lopez, and Z Maile, they shared their excitement for the upcoming shows.

Emilio Torres:
The best part about this is that people who sign up for Rising Star Project are very passionate about theater and are the most talented people around. Live theater is so unique because, unlike film, it delivers an intimate experience that leaves the audience feeling like they just experienced something real.

Maddy Angelos:
My goal for the Rising Star Project is that everybody is really proud of the work that is done. I have always wanted to experience what it is like to be a director, so getting that opportunity through the Rising Star Project has been amazing and very eye-opening.

Gabby Lopez:
What do I hope to get out of the Rising Star Project? Hmmmmm… I would say that… I hope to learn from and teach others. I want to learn different techniques for collaborating with people and help actors and writers get what’s on their mind onstage.

Z Maile:
I think I would have to say that my goal for this season is to learn the process of directing and telling a good story. I feel very comfortable in leadership positions, so the responsibility that comes with being a director has been great for me.

The immense amount of dedication that each student at the Rising Star Project has for theater and creating collaborative art is truly special and shines through in the countless hours they have spent working on these shows, which showcase just how talented these students really are.

Above the fold...

January 15, 2018

Rising Star Project made front page news with our 2018 Martin Luther King Jr. Day residencies at Kentridge High School and Kent-Meridian High School.

Behind the Curtain: Rising Star Project Rehearsal

March 13, 2017

We’re lucky to be part of an amazing group of students participating in Rising Star Project: The Pajama Game. Everyone from acting students to administration students have been collaborating to ensure that the project runs smoothly and that the outcome is unforgettable for all of us. We are so excited to show you what we’ve been working on. We can’t wait to see you come and support this product on which we’ve all been working so hard. — Marketing Students Eliana Coe and Yvonne Mmata

From left to right, performing students Emily Brooks, Emilie Hanson, Mia Luna, Maya McQueen, Matt Seib

Performing students Mia Mooko and Maya L’Abbe

From left to right, performing students Mackenzie Taylor, Sophie Poole, Shelby Willis, Emily Brooks

Performing students Javier Luna, Shelby Willis and Tom Bentson rehearse “Steam Heat”

From left to right, Sophie Hall, Sarah Dennis, Sophie Poole, Phillip Solheim and Javier Luna

Come see Rising Star Project: The Pajama Game on Friday, March 17 at 8:00 PM or Saturday, March 18 at 2:00 PM. Learn more and get tickets at our website.

Thank you to Lauren Wolbaum Photography for these fantastic rehearsal shots!

Creating Common Ground: Reflections on the First Day of Rising Star Project’s Empowering Young Artists Initiative (EYAI)

February 23, 2017

In 1996, August Wilson famously stated: “We can meet on the common ground of the American theater.” He also insisted that “we must develop the ground together.”

These are the words that I can’t help but recall as I sit on the floor of our rehearsal studio surrounded by 19 young performers— the inaugural cohort of the Empowering Young Artists Initiative (EYAI)—as they meet together for the first time.

It is hard to believe that Rising Star Project, the education program that EYAI supports, is in its sixth year of providing mentorship and training to local teens. As I’ve watched the program grow and flourish, the words of Wilson’s famous speech seem to echo with more and more insistence. By supporting young people along their unique paths to careers and higher education, we hope that we are also contributing to the positive impact that these young people will have on the world in the future.

But Wilson’s words remind me that, by bringing together such a diverse and driven group of students, Rising Star Project is also in a unique position to participate in the project that he was insisting on.

The EYAI Squad represents communities as far away as Marysville and Yakima, and as near as Rainier Valley. Through remarkable support from our community, this group will come together for 10 weeks to train with theater professionals, prepare for participation in the mainstage presentation of Rising Star Project: The Pajama Game and to learn more about the form of musical theater. Importantly, this group will also convene to create a dialogue on the topics of diversity, equity and inclusion—and the part that the arts can play in our society.

After Day 1, I will admit that it is equally inspiring to see this group of teenagers acknowledge each other as self-proclaimed musical theater nerds. I guess that is the other area of common ground, the one that August Wilson didn’t cite—but the one that the EYAI Squad will welcome you to with open arms.

By ORLANDO MORALES, Director of Education and Outreach

Highlights from the Rising Star Project Kick Off Weekend

February 5, 2016

Last weekend, teens representing over 40 Washington high schools gathered at The 5th to celebrate the start of Rising Star Project rehearsals. In March they will present their own production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and members of the professional cast and crew also joined in the festivities.

Such an auspicious occasion, always calls for a “kick off” dance routine:

A little extracurricular choreography at last week's #RSP2016 kickoff 🎈

A video posted by 5th Avenue Education Programs (@5thavenueedu) on Feb 5, 2016 at 8:47am PST

Professional company members, Kyle Carter (left) and Nik Hagen (right) had no shortage of wisdom to begin dispensing.

A Uniquely American Quilt: Partners in Empowering Youth Through Musical Theater

January 27, 2016

*Sheri and Les Biller chat with Rising Star Project students backstage.*

The Rising Star Project was first presented in 2011, and since 2013 it has grown and developed in partnership with The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation. While preparing for this year’s Rising Star Project—our fifth year mentoring Washington teenagers—we chat with Sheri and Les about their hopes and goals for the program to continue creating new opportunities for students, the community and the theater.

“Musical theater is America’s art form. It’s our quilt,” says Sheri with a smile. “It has enabled us to share stories and discuss social issues through every critical period in our nation’s history. This is why it’s so important that we continue nourishing the growth of musical theater.”

The Rising Star Project is part of a diverse and ambitious portfolio of initiatives led by The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation. Driven by a mission to invest in bold ideas that inspire collective action in order to achieve powerful results, the Foundation makes grants to numerous organizations in Washington State and Los Angeles County.

Les: “We work in four areas—supportive care, public education, career training and theater arts. We want to try to do as much as we can in these areas to benefit the community and to advance positive and sustainable change.”

The story of how theater enrichment—and more specifically, Rising Star Project—has become an integral part of the Foundation’s vision begins with Sheri’s childhood:

Sheri: “Theater was a big part of my youth. It was important to my family. As a child and as a teenager, I had my share of issues and got bored in school. But one of the things that saved me was being around theater, being involved in theater, and performing in theater. Having this creative outlet helped me learn how to express myself, and in such a positive way.”

Les: “I came to theater through Sheri. It wasn’t necessarily a part of my childhood—but through Sheri, I became a lover of theater and musical theater. Sheri also brought into focus for me how theater can have a social impact.”

The beginning of a new partnership

Sheri: “Because I have firsthand experience with the importance of exposure to theater as a young person, we seek to support inspiring theatre productions with immersive educational components. We believe that students need to have the arts in their lives if they are to become well-rounded adults.

What caught our attention about Rising Star Project is that it isn’t just an arts program. We realized it touched on all four pillars of our Foundation’s work—theater, public education, job training and, as far as I’m concerned, supportive care as well. It embraces young people and can help them deal with issues in their lives. It’s very supportive in that sense. And exactly the kind of program we needed to become involved with.”

Collaboration, new ideas, and lots of fun

Les: “We love Rising Star Project because it teaches life skills. We like that it brings kids from different parts of our community together in a unique setting where they learn how to work together as a team and gain self-confidence while doing it. The other part of Rising Star Project that we are very proud of is when we bring new audiences from local schools lacking access to arts programming into the theater. The students see themselves reflected in the people their age on stage and behind the scenes.”

Sheri: “But Les and I also value the act of collaborating with others. Trying to create collaboration between an arts organization and a foundation may have its challenges, but the important thing is that people are willing to work together and try new ideas. And that also makes it a lot of fun.”

Sheri also draws a connection between the Rising Star Project partnership and the collaborative nature that is intrinsic to musical theater.

Sheri: “If we’re making a musical, it’s not just about having great voices and great performers. There are so many other important roles that are required for this to succeed. Most students don’t understand that. Most adults don’t understand that. When they go to a musical, most people only notice the orchestra and the actors standing on the stage. And of course, that is only a small piece of the puzzle. There are many squares on the quilt.”

“And now we’re back to talking about quilts,” she laughs.

Stories for the future

Sheri: “Another dream for Rising Star Project and this partnership is in the possibility of encouraging other communities to do this as well. In the coming years, could we multiply tenfold the number of students who can participate? We want to work with The 5th to create an example—the model for others to follow.”

Les: “It’s important work. We have thousands of years of history. And history is a form of storytelling—whether it’s done in a verbal way, or visual way, or done through performing a musical. We’re telling stories and that’s how history and values get passed down from generation to generation.

“My other hope is that while this important work is happening, the broader community will realize what it’s about and will also want to get involved and support it. We hope that the Rising Star Project story is one that is widely told and widely known and that many people will want to be a part of the story as well.”

STORIES

Meet the Students of RSP: West Side Story—Maya Bhat

Meet the Students of RSP: West Side Story—Frances Vonada

Meet the Students of RSP: West Side Story—Alia Antón

Rising Star Project Puts Theater in the Hands of Youth

Something’s Coming…

We recently sat down with four of this year’s students to ask them questions about musical theater, West Side Story and their hopes for Rising Star Project’s seventh year…

Rising Star Project Recap! 10-Minute Musicals

What’s in a Name?

Above the fold...

Behind the Curtain: Rising Star Project Rehearsal

Creating Common Ground: Reflections on the First Day of Rising Star Project’s Empowering Young Artists Initiative (EYAI)

Highlights from the Rising Star Project Kick Off Weekend

A Uniquely American Quilt: Partners in Empowering Youth Through Musical Theater

The beginning of a new partnership

Collaboration, new ideas, and lots of fun

Stories for the future

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