OUTREACH Programs

Community Outreach is a vital part of MCT’s Educational programming. Outreach touches lives of young people who may have never had the opportunity to see a live theatre performance. Outreach helps students learn life skills through theatre that they can take with them into adulthood. Outreach provides an opportunity for youth to mentor youth. Outreach provides an outlet for exchange between MCT and other organizations who also support our local youth. We are committed to serving youth and serving our community.

THINKING CAP THEATRE

The Thinking Cap Theatre, a professional children’s touring company, played to over 3,000 M.I.S.D. students this fall. The troupe presented a 30-minute production of Aesop’s Fables (written by Bill Williams, directed by Bill Williams and Judith Giebler) to students in their own school environment, providing an opportunity to those who might not get a chance to come to MCT to see quality theatre. In addition to performing the show, actors led 15-minute workshops following each production to allow students to participate in theatre activities.

RAYS OF HOPE GRIEF CENTER FOR CHILDREN

Bill Williams and Judith Giebler spent 6 weeks each semester at the Hospice Rays of Hope Grief Center for children and conducted theatre workshops with children who are receiving assistance from Hospice in dealing with loss due to death, divorce, and incarceration. The life skills brought through theatre arts are one way Rays of Hope helps students learn how to communicate their grief and heal. We are honored to be part of this process.

DEZAVALA ELEMENTARY OUTREACH

In Spring, 2004, MCT wrapped up a 3-year study at DeZavala Elementary to chart the effects of fine arts education on bilingual students and students with limited English proficiency. Test scores did go up, and DeZavala was selected as a recognized school in the state of Texas. In addition, input from instructors and the principal at DeZavala all support Theatre Arts in their school without reservation because of recognized improvement in presentation skills, vocabulary, writing, and social science.

THE FORT STOCKTON PROJECT

The Fort Stockton Project has been around for 6 years, and sees Judith Giebler and Bill Williams traveling to Fort Stockton to work with middle school students on theatre arts skills. The team travels to Fort Stockton in February and November, bringing Pickwick Players to assist with technical support for productions performed by the Fort Stockton students.

The 2004-2005 school year marks a new beginning for Fort Stockton and DeZavala Elementary, as these two projects are being combined for the coming year, thanks to support from the Abell Hanger Foundation. Students from Fort Stockton are rehearsing a play to be performed in Midland and DeZavala students are rehearsing a play to be performed in Fort Stockton. Both groups will work together to perform for Fort Stockton and Midland audiences.

NEWSWEST 9 and MCT

In the fall of 2004, Jordan Williams, morning anchor for NewsWest 9, volunteered to teach a TV/Film class to MCT 4th-6th grade Theatre School students. With his assistance, these students learned about television journalism and watched their hard work come to life on the movie screen set up in Davis Theatre I. Jordan Williams’ class inspired film work in other Theatre School classes, so each student was able to work through the filming process and see the end result.

YULETIDE AT THE YUCCA

In December, Pickwick Players, Theatre School students, DeZavala students and participants from Absolute Dance and the Irish Reel Dancers (other dance programs in the community) performed a Christmas dance show at the Yucca theatre. The event showcased the talented youth in our Education Department as well as the rest of the community. The show was 90 minutes long and included approximately 110 performers who played to nearly 400 audience members. We hope to include this wonderful show as part of a holiday tradition at MCT.