"Hands Together, Heart to Art"
The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University is dedicated to offering the finest in international, community and cultural programming to the city of Chicago, and to the ongoing restoration and preservation of this National Historic Landmark. Through performances in the fields of classical and modern dance, Broadway theatre, and many genres of music, we are proud of the diversity on our renowned stage. We also have various outreach programs which target communities including families, minority youth, and schools.
Ever-growing in response to societal trends and interests, we are crafting our artistic efforts towards a greater emphasis on producing and presenting. Part of this endeavor includes creating an innovative educational program which we are launching this summer from July 11 - 22, 2005. It is a program for youth, but not just any youth.
In the United States, 1.2 million children will lose a parent to death before the age of 15. Whether to long illness or sudden violence, the effect on a child is devastating. In response to what is a very serious and integral need, the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University has created "Hands Together, Heart to Art," an arts initiative for children who are grieving the death of one or both parents. Employing several different areas of performing arts, the program will encourage communication, foster emotional growth, and provide the consolation of friendship and compassion.
The children will be accepted through an exhaustive recruiting process. We are currently contacting teachers and school counselors throughout the Chicago area as well as social service agencies and houses of worship. Our contacts will discuss the program with chosen families to seek their interest. The application itself requires an official recommendation of the child as well as a detailed explanation for how/why the child can benefit from the program.
The 2-week program will be held in the lobby of the Auditorium Theatre as well as various classrooms at Roosevelt University, culminating in a final public performance. Classes in theatre, music, and dance will be conducted daily from 9am - 4pm, led by teaching artists. Throughout the sessions, we will bring in guest specialists from dance, theatre, music, puppetry, juggling and other art forms who will offer their expertise and lead group activities. The children will participate in each component and contribute artistically, journalistically, and/or otherwise to the final production on July 22nd.
Approximately 70 children between the ages of 7 - 14 will participate this summer, and we hope to expand the program in 2006 following an extensive review of the programÕs success. Ideally over the next few years, we would like to offer 8 weeks of 2-week sessions for a total potential participation of 300 children per summer.
We are thrilled to be partnering with Child's Play Touring Theatre, a local organization recognized nationally as a premiere professional childrenÕs theatre. Executive Director and co-founder June Podagrosi has taken the lead in designing the day-to-day activities of "Hands Together, Heart to Art." Her efforts will be supported by 5 teaching artists for the theatre classes, and 3-4 junior counselors who will help facilitate activities. The mission of our program is especially poignant for Ms. Podagrosi, who tragically lost her husband when their son was only 8 years old. Her son, now in college, will be one of the junior counselors.
The Debbie Allen Dance Academy of Los Angeles has agreed to send two company members to teach master classes in the area of dance. In addition, Roosevelt UniversityÕs Chicago College of Performing Arts, the RU Counseling Center, and the RU Department of Psychology and Sociology have agreed to supply two music instructors and grief counselors, respectfully. The certified counselors will help the children understand the meaning of the loss in their lives, and how the arts can serve as a comfort and solace during times of emotional suffering.
We believe the combined expertise of all of these esteemed organizations qualify us to undertake the emotional as well as artistic complexities of the program.
A typical day at "Hands Together, Heart to Art" follows as such: two morning classes, a break for lunch, 30 minutes for "Sharing Time," two afternoon classes, and an hour of "Specials." Sharing Time will be comprised of an informal discussion with guest speakers who will discuss their personal experience with losing a parent to death. The children will gradually come to understand that life does continue following a tragedy, and indeed people who have suffered a similar loss have gone on to lead successful and happy lives. During Specials, the children can choose to write in their journals, spend one-on-one or group time with a certified grief counselor, or visit the Resource Room. The Resource Room is a quiet room stocked with books, magazines and other literary materials concerned with how to cope with grieving.
In addition, "Hands Together, Heart to Art" will extend beyond the summer to include two school-year activities. The children and counselors will be offered a ticket to two weekend matinee performances at the Auditorium Theatre. Immediately following the performances will be a Q&A session with members of the artistic team who will conduct a candid discussion concerning the performance. It is an opportunity for the children to get together again, as well as to experience performances at the Auditorium Theatre.
Download a typical day.
A Letter From Our Chief Barker
Variety - The Children's Charity of Illinois and our sole, focused mission to help children in need. Typically the children who benefit from Variety's assistance are like those in your program - economically disadvantaged, physically disabled or abused.
However, some children face another kind of suffering not so readily apparent - the mental and emotional toll of grief and loss when a parent dies. Variety - The Children's Charity of Illinois is proud to support a unique program at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University to help children who have experienced the death of a parent.
Hands Together, Heart to Art is a two-week, non-residence arts camp from July 11 - 22, 2005 specifically designed for children between the ages of 7 and 14, who have lost one or both parents to death. The camp will employ the healing values of theatre, music, and dance to help the children through their recovery. In addition, spending time with other campers who have experienced a similar loss will establish that they are not alone in their grief. Campers will span the ethnic, cultural, and economic spectrum, reinforcing the message that their grief is not unique.
Hands Together, Heart to Art will also introduce the young people to adults who faced a similar loss in their own youth, offering the children hope for a bright future regardless of their current sense of loss. Surrounded by the beauty of the theatre and the kindness of new friends and counselors, the children may begin their healing process.
I have enclosed some materials and brochures detailing the camp. Each white envelope contains a description of the camp, typical daily activities, and five each brochures and recommendation forms. We encourage you to work with other social service providers, schools, or religious groups and share a packet with those other organizations.
If you know of any specific children who have suffered the loss of a parent and can benefit from this program, please give the child a brochure (contains the application) and recommendation form. The application should be returned directly to the camp registrar by the child/surviving parent or guardian, and the recommendation form should be returned to the camp by the teacher or guidance counselor. Please do not return any forms to the Variety office.
Variety - The Children's Charity of Illinois is very pleased to sponsor this major arts initiative for children, and hope that it may benefit some children from your organization. In the meantime, if you need additional details, please contact the camp registrar, LaShaon Smith at 312.431.2395.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Nick Liberati
Chief Barker
