Immigration and Identity

On March 11, 2009, students from Brown Elementary and Mendez Middle School participated in a private tour at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum (TSHM). This opportunity is part of a larger collaboration between Theatre Action Project and the TSHM which focuses on immigration and identity and incorporates the history of immigrants through Galveston Island in Texas.

Staff members from the Education Department led the tour of their latest exhibit “Forgotten Gateway: Coming to America Through Galveston Island” and the following interactive workshops to teach the youth about the stories of some of the people who went through Galveston Island. The youth will use what they learned in their class projects throughout the rest of the semester.

The Mendez students will perform their original play on April 18th at 2:00 pm in the Spirit Theatre at the TSHM as part of the Youth Collaborative Showcase. The students from Brown will share their short films on immigration as part of an art installation at the Dougherty Arts Center from May 19-29 this spring, with other TAP schools participating.

Si Se Puede-Cesar Chavez

All around the country Saturday, March 28th people honored the life of Cesar E. Chavez. Right here in Austin many gathered, including Theatre Action Project, to participate in the “Si Se Puede!” march.

The march began at the A.B. Cantu Pan Recreation Center and ended at the Mexican American Cultural Center. The Workers Defense Project hosted the march, hoping to make more people aware of the work Cesar Chavez did organizing and helping farm workers.

In preparation for Saturday’s events, TAP after school classes at Langford and Jordan Elementaries learned about Cesar Chavez and made armbands, banners and a puppet for the march. There was also a TAP led family workshop at Zavala Elementary, to help get parents and families involved in Saturday’s events. These workshops were led by TAP teachers Florinda Bryant and Erika Gonzalez. Erika is also the co-director of PODER (People Organizing in Defense of Earth and her Resources), which was one of Saturday’s prominent sponsors and march organizers.

TAP was excited and honored to participate in Saturday’s events. And in efforts to celebrate Cesar Chavez year round, we include curriculum on Cesar Chavez in our Heroes of History program for after school classes. Cesar Chavez is also featured prominently in our Courage in Action! touring interactive performance residency for 5th graders, a program geared towards teaching children community activism.

Cesar E. Chavez’s birthday is March 31st, the farm worker, civil rights and labor leader is widely recognized as one of the most important leaders of the 20th century.

Summer Camps!

Due to popular demand, we will have 8 weeks of camp this summer. Go to our website to download registration forms.

June 22 – 26, 2009: Around the World!

Learn about music, theatre and art from across the globe and create a “World’s Fair!”

June 29 – July 3, 2009: Mask-erade Parade

Create a variety of masks and costumes to be a part of a fun animal themed parade!

July 6 – 10, 2009: Dance and Drums

Learn unique drum and dance routines and create a fun block party performance!

July 13 – 17, 2009: Power to the Puppets

Become the Puppet Master and learn a variety of puppetry styles!

July 20 – 24, 2009: Myths and Legends

Put on a play based upon fascinating mysteries and tales!

July 27 – 31, 2009: Playmakers

Write, design and star in an original musical!

August 3 – 7, 2009: Lights, Camera, Action!

Write and star in your own movie to be shown in a special location on Friday!

August 10 – 14, 2009: Songs for the Stage

Learn how to sing and perform great musical theatre!

A poem for Theatre Action Project to commemorate TAP’s Big Kid Birthday Bash 2009 by Sara Hickman

The lovely Sara Hickman served as emcee for our Big Kid Birthday Bash this past weekend. She helped us to raise more than $35,000 to support our programs! It was a great night and Sara wrote this little poem to commemorate it!

the joy was mine!
(from sara “jump up and go!” hickman)

from the veggie hot dog
i ate as i walked towards
lolis,
from the cakes and the songs
and the people
and peace!
the colors of:
chalk,
of papers, of silk…
of skin, of jewelry,
of smiles, of kilts!
(note to reader:
ok, there weren’t any
kilts that i saw, but
it rhymed so nicely)
the music that wafted
out towards the night,
the spirits of laughter,
so gay and so bright!
money was raised for
tap-tappity-TAP!
(but that was just the
feather in the cap…!)
for new friendships were
formed!
ah, the night was so young…!
and like words on the tongue
every moment was adorned
with sparkles of moondust
glad hopes for tomorrow
no one can recreate,
but, of course, they may
borrow

a tattoo glued
inside out, now
permanently resides,
as a part…

of my heart!

CONGRATULATIONS ON A NIGHT TO REMEMBER!
Love to TAP, always
Sara

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