Back to Basics: Volunteer

by Mary Alice Carnes, Community Relations Director
The first day of school comes with so much anticipation and excitement. Reconnecting with old friends and making new friends used to make me so nervous every year. One thing I’ve noticed as an adult–many years out of the classroom–is how many people use going back to school time as a way to renew commitments. As you get back into a set routine this fall, consider adding volunteer service to Theatre Action Project to your list of must-do’s for this school year. Volunteering is a great way to get back to the basics of service, giving back and serving an inspiring mission:

Theatre Action Project uses the creative arts to activate the academic, social and emotional development of young people. Through interactive classroom performances, after school residencies and community based programs, TAP’s team of professional teaching artists inspire youth to be creative artists, courageous allies, critical thinkers and confident leaders in their community.

In 2011-2012, Theatre Action Project volunteers gave an average of 229 hours a month in our After School programs, at events, creating journals and crafts for our TAP in the Classroom programs, database management and social media. For our TAP Summer Camp, 22 volunteers gave over 1002 hours in just a few short weeks, assistant Teaching Artists with camps such as Songs for the Stage, Puppetpalooza, Rhythm and Drums, Playmakers, and more at several locations. What a great way to spend your summer and brighten children’s lives!

You have several volunteer options:

1) be a volunteer willing to take on a single project,

2) be “on tap” for projects as they come up, consider a more committed relationship as a TAP Volunteer Project Leader and recruit and lead your own project and TAP volunteers for specific tasks, or

3) as an After School volunteer assigned to a specific campus for the semester assisting a Teaching Artist.

If you are interested in getting back to the basics, please send us an e-mail about your volunteer interest and availability:  maryalice@theatreactionproject.org.

SAVE THE DATE! 
For TAP’s Open House on Thursday, October 4th. Learn all there is to learn about Theatre Action Project and find a volunteer opportunity that’s right for you! Enjoy some food and refreshments, network, enjoy, and make new friends. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates.

PS: On my very first day at school as a five-year old (just before I turned six), my Mom didn’t know if the school provided lunch for us or if I needed a sack lunch. It was the best bag of grapes I’d ever eaten.

All Points Bulletin: Looking for Super 8′s

by Mary Alice Carnes, Community Relations Director

Theatre Action Project needs your help. We are searching for donations of your old Super 8 movie camera. We’re gearing up for a fun Lights, Camera, Action TAP After School program at an area school and the equipment is perfect for teaching students about specific aspects of filmmaking.

In 1967, when my older brother graduated from high school, my parent’s gift to mark his achievement, was a sleek looking Super 8. And what’s a movie camera with a neato movie screen and projector too?

With that super cool camera my brother shot scenes of his night time graduation party held in our back yard. You can see family members and friends waving over at him as they dance away at the music that was playing.  The other big memory I have, is of my bro’s Super 8 film of First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, who came to Padre Island–we grew up in Corpus Christi–to dedicate Padre as a national seashore in 1968. Watching the film of her on our beach was so exciting. This officially made us a home movies family.

Lights, Camera, Action students directs a scene.

This week’s Lights, Camera, Action TAP summer camp is a testament to the inspiration TAVE gives students to be Creative Artists, Critical Thinkers, and Confident Leaders when learning the craft of filmmaking.

Won’t you help TAP students hone their craft by donating your Super 8 camera?  Please contact us by calling 512-442-8773 or contacting, Cassie Swayze, email: cassie@theatreactionproject.org.

PS: Visit our website to learn more about TAP After School or about TAP Summer Camp.

Summer Pageant in the Park 2012 in Photos

Theatre Action Project’s Summer Pageant in the Park  on  June 23rd was an explosion of color, giant puppets and fun parade elements. Elementary students, their families, TAP Teaching Artists and staff marched in celebration of How Our Food Grows.

Here are just  a few photos  from behind the scenes leading up to Pageant day. We invite you to visit our Facebook and Flickr pages to view many more fun photos. We also invite you to share your Pageant photos with us. Email us at maryalice@theatreactionproject.org.

Cassie Swayze, left and Patrick Torres, right prepare for the event. Caroline Reck, center on Pageant day.

Happy Teaching Artists, Aron Taylor, left, Christin Davis, and Noel Gaulin lead the cheers in the parade.

Winter, Spring, and Summer seasons at Summer Pageant in the Park.

Shout Out to Maplewood Elementary Students: Join the Summer Pageant Parade!

Know a Maplewood Elementary student or parent? Please share this special message with them…

Maplewood Elementary students from 2nd – 6th grades are invited to register for Theatre Action Project’s Summer Pageant Parade. The following classes are FREE, but we are limited to 20 students.

Classes will run from Monday, June 11 and end Friday, June 22 with a performance and pageant parade at Republic Square Park at the Sustainable Food Center’s Downtown Farmer’s Market on Saturday, June 23. The free family event will be followed by fun watermelon-eating and seed-spitting contests hosted by the Farmer’s Market as part of the Watermelon Festival. These are just two of the activities that will follow the parade performance.

Maplewood, Wooten, Winn, Harris, Hart, Pickle, Widen, Barrington and Brown Elementary Schools will be involved in this parade with the theme of How Our Foods Grows. Students will be making their costumes and giant puppets for the grand parade.

Maplewood, Wooten, Winn, Harris, Hart, Pickle, Widen, Barrington and Brown Elementary schools will be involved in this parade with the theme of “How Our Foods Grows.” Students will be making their costumes and giant puppets for the grand parade.

The classes will be held in the Maplewood cafeteria and run from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. We strongly ask that students be dropped off at 9 a.m. sharp and promptly picked up at 11:30 a.m. Students may bring a snack and a bottle of water each day. (NO CANDY/SODA PLEASE.)

This registration is on a first come, first served basis. Please email florinda@theatreactionproject.org with your student’s name & grade level, as well as parent name, cell, and work phone number to register. If you’d like more information about the camp, contact caroline@theatreactionproject.org.

For more fun photos from last year’s event, follow this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theatreactionproject/sets/72157626991641796/

It’s Time for TAP Summer Camp!

by Mary Alice Carnes, Community Relations Director

Acting, Puppetry, Playmaking, Dance, Music, Filmmaking – it’s going to be a sizzling summer with Theatre Action Project (TAP).  TAP  is offering Summer Camps in 4 different locations for summer 2012.

Camps are student centered and led by a dynamic team of professional teaching artists. Each week is a different adventure that ends with an exciting sharing for family and friends. Share this information with your summer campers and register now!

CENTRAL AUSTIN
Trinity United Methodist Church
4001 Speedway Austin, TX 78751
Ages: 5–12 | 9 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. |Cost $235
Extended care available 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at an additional cost of $50 per week.

June 11 – 15: Adventures in Art
June 18 – 22: Dance! Dance! Dance!
June 25 – 29: Lights, Camera, Action!
July 9 – 13: Puppet-Palooza
July 16 – 20: Acting Up
July 23 – 27: Rhythm and Drums
July 30 – August 3: Playmakers
August 6 – 10: Songs for the Stage

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
Winship Drama Bldg.
300 East 23rd St. Austin,
 TX 78712
Ages: 6-10 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Cost $235 (10% off with UT affiliation)

June 18 – 22: World Adventures

LAKEWAY
Lakeway Activities Center
105 Cross Creek Lakeway,
 TX 78734
Ages: 5-12 | 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost $250

July 16 – 20: Lights, Camera, Action!
July 30 – August 3: Playmakers

CIRCLE C
HOA Community Center
7817 La Crosse Avenue Austin, TX 78739
Ages: 5-11 | 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost: $250

July 9 – 13: All the World’s a Stage

To register, visit: TAP CAMP REGISTRATION.

For more info call: (512) 442.8773, x107, or email: camp@theatreactionproject.org.