EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMMING
Austin Cabaret Theatre prides itself on reaching beyond the footlights farther than just the audience. We ask each of our Guest Artists to participate in an educational outreach program, whether it’s a Q&A, a workshop to help train young artists, or a lecture/demonstration of what the Guest Artist does.
The start of ACT’s Kabaret for Kids progam, with it’s generous support from the Lind Family Charitable Foundation, has been instrumental in reaching hundreds of students every season.
Throughout the year, students get to enjoy performances from our multi-talented guest stars. Below are just a few examples of outreaches...in our 2008/2009 Season alone, we were able to work with nearly 500 students!
When we booked the amazing Sandra ReAves-Phillips in her tour-de-force The Late Great Ladies of Blues and Jazz, I had no idea how we would touch some young lives. We were able to intern two young ladies who have theatre tech and stage management ambitions as backstage managers and dressers for Sandra. The experience was incredibly educational for them, and they will be able to count on “Mama Sandra” to help with future connections and recommendations. The most fun, however, was sponsoring 8 young girls from the TNS Academy. This private school practices a very “arts forward” approach to learning. Not only were the students exposed in class for several weeks to the historical significance of women in music, but their studies culminated in coming to Sandra’s show, seeing her re-enact the women they were learning about, and then—in an impromptu “jam session”—they joined Sandra onstage to sing “Lean on Me,” from the film of the same name that Sandra starred in and sang the title track for. The magic of live theatre at work!
Russ Lorenson, in his tribute to the life and music of Tony Bennett, shared his extensiveknowledge of the master with members of UT’s acapella singing group, The Ransom Notes, who not only had their tickets underwritten, but got to open for Russ’ show. We set up a table to sell their CD’s and were able to introduce this group of talented students to a group of new admirers—the ACT audience!
When Michael Holland & Karen Mack come to town, you never know what’s in store. Their fresh approach to putting pop music into cabaret has gained them international attention and praise. So when the opportunity presented itself to do a workshop with the musical theatre students at St Edward’s University, we jumped at the chance. The focus of the workshop was the influence of pop music in contemporary musicals. Students were asked to prepare a “standard” theatre piece and a pop piece, and were coached & guided with the duo’s dynamic wit and incredible knowledge. The students were then underwritten for the performance to see Michael and Karen in full action!
Elaine Stritch, Tony Award winner, film & television star, and Broadway Diva, met with the theatre students at University of Texas during her visit to Austin Cabaret Theatre in the Fall of 2008. The workshop was held in the Oscar Brockett Theatre on campus. Dr. Brockett is the author of the book that nearly every university in the world uses for their beginning acting classes. Elaine Stritch “wrote the book” on survival in this industry. Very fitting, indeed! The afternoon was—in a word—magical. Opening with her hilarious send-up of “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” she then took the students on what was likely the wildest show-biz journey of their lives. Elaine discussed, naturally, her historical presence in the entertainment industry, but also (at 83 years young!) shared her plans for future performances, current bookings, and where she was headed after Austin...which was the Emmy Awards, being nominated again for her recurring role in 30 Rock. Towards the end of the afternoon, she asked the audience (comprised of approximately 200 students and 30 faculty) for questions, and a stimulating Q&A session followed.
When award winning vocal sensations Toxic Audio came to Austin, we knew there would be a terrific educational opportunity: the group’s founder is an alum of McCallum High, Austin’s arts magnate school.
What we didn’t know was what a spectacular and informative day it was going to be!
Meeting with the choir and vocal performance students, the group had these kids on the edge of their seats the second they heard the first incredible sounds. Taking acapella to new heights, the group uses their skillful, trained voices as well as electronic manipulation to create fascinating harmonies and effects. The students were mesmerized, and the ovations were bone-rattling.
In addition to the Q&A portion of the program, perhaps the most meaningful part was how each of the five “Toxins” shared their background, and what brought them to the group. One is a classically trained opera singer, one a former Disney World performer, and so on...The students at McCallum High left the seminar with the valuable insight that if you are open to all paths and opportunities, your career can flourish beyond your wildest dreams.