Students Are Engaging In A Celebration Of The Arts
More than 1,000 Beecher students engaged in a celebration of the arts on October 17th, a music video starring Beecher High School students premiered alongside a talent showcase at Randall Coates Auditorium. The assembly also featured special guest performances including local and national artists in music, poetry, theater and dance.
The video, “We Are Not Our Crime Rate,” is a product of Shop Floor Theatre Company’s Schooled project, which was a week-long collaboration with Nate Lombardi of New York City-based The Groovy Projects. The companies worked directly with students in the district Aug 26. through Aug 28.
As part of the project, students from Dailey and Tucker Elementary, and Beecher Middle School participated in assemblies that utilized the arts to address anti-bullying. Beecher Ninth Grade Academy and Beecher High School students worked with members of Shop Floor Theatre, and became writers, performers, and production crew for their own original music video, which centers on self-identity and community pride. The video is a celebration of Shop Floor Theatre’s residency with Beecher Ninth Grade Academy students that is continuing into its second year.
Shop Floor Theatre Company creates original and transformative place-based arts and education programming with, and for, people of all ages, experiences and backgrounds. The company has worked in area school districts during the school day and after school to teach theater, dance, spoken word and life skills to young people.
This production is made possible in part by generous funding from the Ruth Mott Foundation and the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.
