Bringing the Theatre to Students
By: WROC-TV
Updated: October 25, 2012
Teachers from Rochester city schools are kicking off a Broadway hit -- with an educational twist. The RBTL's theatre team and the city school district are teaming up to give more than 1,000 students an experience they'll never forget.
Straight out of 1950's Memphis -- the Tony Award winning musical is coming to Rochester in just a few months -- and the RBTL and the Rochester City School District are teaming up to bring the theatre to students.
"It takes a village to make it happen, and we here at RBTL want to be part of that village to make a difference for our young Rochester students," said Bob Sagan of the RBTL.
Sue Frost is the producer of Memphis -- and says the musical -- and the theatre team program -- play an important role in getting kids interested in the arts.
"It's an amazing opportunity because I think what it most exciting for these kids is to see somebody like them on the stage. And it tells a story, but it also opens up a whole new world to them," said Frost.
Rochester city school teachers say the educational opportunity offered by a show like Memphis provides a unique experience.
"This case particularly having a historically-themed show, to get students involved in theatre and getting students studying history and social studies at the same time, really helps to cement learning, to solidify it and to always give something to look back to."
The RBTL theatre team hopes that the lessons learned from Memphis not only continue in the classroom -- but also throughout their lives.
"I think the sooner we engage children in the arts the better. I think it makes them stronger on so many levels," said Stephen LaMorte, Acting Director of Social Studies at the Rochester City School District.
Memphis runs from November 25th through December 2nd.
