Wild Kratts®: Creature Power®!, an interactive exhibit based on the popular PBS Kids series, opens at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta on June 11 and runs through September 5. The show explores four animal habitats and the creatures within them. The exhibit, created by the Minnesota Children’s Museum in collaboration with the Kratt Brothers Company, focuses on cultivating STEM skills in children ages three to nine. Kids will delight in exploring animal habitats from around the world, discover incredible creature powers and go on missions to foil the villains’ nefarious plans.
Wild Kratts®: Creature Power®!, an interactive exhibit based on the popular PBS Kids series, opens at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta on June 11 and runs through September 5. The …
This piece appears in the Alliance's Under the Tent series edition of Encore.
Songwriter Eugene Russell IV reflects on the experience of setting Beautiful Blackbird to music at the Alliance Theatre
As a father of two, Eugene Russell IV is quite familiar with the landscape of children’s music. And when he set out to bring Beautiful Blackbird to life, he knew his music had to have much more flare. Mostly, it needed more funk.
“I purposely went for something that adults would like as well, because as a father of little ones... I don't know. Some kids’ music can be so annoying, I’m sorry,” the artist says with a laugh. “But I wanted something that grooved that was fun enough for the kids but funky enough for the parents. You know what I'm saying?” So out came the tunes to Beautiful Blackbird, which sit in a genre of “funky, soulful, family music.”
Russell made a name for himself in Atlanta theatre as an actor, but after releasing solo songs of his own and playing instruments in a few plays and musicals, his first opportunity to actually compose for the Atlanta stage came along with none other than the Alliance’s original 2017 production of Beautiful Blackbird. Alliance’s Director of Education Chris Moses approached Russell to compose the score, and the two were in sync about the vision immediately.
Eugene Russell IV
“When [Chris] came to me about the show, I wanted to write the music for it. And I said, ‘Listen, Chris, I don’t write traditional theatre music. That's not my thing — that traditional musical theater sound.’ He said, ‘Good, because that's not what I want. I want you to do what you do.’ And I said, ‘Cool!’” The two practically finished each other’s sentences through the creative process as one would suggest an idea and the other would adamantly agree. “I said, ‘You want funky? I’ll give you funky.’”
https://youtu.be/W9Sk19ecl5A
So as a composer, what goes into choosing “funky, soulful, family music” as the best genre with which to tell this story? Russell says the original book dictated its own musical needs to him.
“When you look at the book that inspired Beautiful BlackbirdLIVE, the book by Ashley Bryan, the rhythms are obvious. And the colors as well. There's something about the colors that said funk to me, as well as the rhythm of the language.”
Russell’s songs come from a place of knowing his source material and end goal so well that he follows the needs of the piece itself.
“It’s fun because you get to say, ‘Okay, let's see where this piece takes me!’ Often, if you kind of get out of the way as the composer, songs will write themselves,” he says excitedly. “And I don't mean that literally; I wish it was that easy! But if you keep yourself out of it and keep the stories centered, then the story will inform you of what the sound should be, and it will only make sense. I'm like, ‘Oh my goodness, of course, that makes sense! Of course this should be in 5/4 time! Of course this needs this instrument or that instrument, because that only makes sense!”
Beautiful Blackbird has always held a special place in his heart because not only was it his debut as an Atlanta theatre composer, but he got to work on it with his wife who was the dramaturg. And as the icing on the cake, their toddlers joined them in the rehearsal room.
“At that time —- they’re six and four now —- but my two little girls were probably, like, three and one. So that was so cool because number one, they got to be in the theatre environment, but number two, they got to see Mommy and Daddy work. And they loved it at the Alliance. It was great.”
Costume renderings from Beautiful Blackbird by Lex Liang
As Beautiful BlackbirdLIVE gets its wings on a performance space again, Russell has a few things to look forward to, starting with the fact that he gets to join the band this time around.
“I love composing and being the music director,” he says, referring to the roles he took on in the 2017 production. “But there were times when everybody looked like they were having so much fun, you know? And I wanted to play! So I'm excited about being in the midst of other musicians and playing music and having my babies there. I'm really excited about that.”
Most of all, he has been looking forward to the encouragement he hopes the words of the piece will bring to audiences.
“[The lyrics are] so empowering. They’re so needed. There are so many black babies that need these words right now. There are so many other kids that need these words. There are so many adults that need these words right now! I think the message in it is unapologetic and it's a reminder of the beauty of who you are and how you were made. And in a time where there are a lot of things to be down about or to blame yourself for, I think we need these words in the air. So I'm looking most forward to putting these words in the air again.”
Beautiful BlackbirdLIVE is presented as part of the Alliance Theatre's Under the Tent series, running April 8-18. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
About Beautiful BlackbirdLIVE
Inspired by the Newbery Medal-winning book by Ashley Bryan
Atlanta's favorite feathered funk band is back! Featuring original music composed by Eugene H. Russell IV and inspired by Ashley Bryan's children's book Beautiful Blackbird, this family friendly concert will have you on your feet celebrating the uniqueness of each and every one of us. Shake your tailfeathers and dance to the music!
[post_title] => Feature: The Color of Rhythm in the Air
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This piece appears in the Alliance’s Under the Tent series edition of Encore. Songwriter Eugene Russell IV reflects on the experience of setting Beautiful Blackbird to music at the Alliance Theatre …
One of our local theatres is expanding their horizons to reach more patrons through a new collaboration.
Quick facts
Synchronicity Theatre will be partnering with Hands In! for three performances this season to bring ASL interpretation to their stage. The shows include, A Year With Frog and Toad (Dec 11—Jan 3), Mirandy and Brother Wind (Jan 29—Feb 21), and The Bluest Eye (June 7—27).
How it works
Using two artistically-trained interpreters for each show, American Sign Language will be used to sign dialogue and to echo the emotions in the words and songs. There will always be two interpreters on screen at the same time, and they will be playing the different characters, along with the actors.
The production will be recorded and shot with up to four cameras spread throughout the theatre. Felipe Barral of IGNI Productions and Amanda Sachtleben will record the interpreters in a live performance, with possible pick-ups, then in post-production create windows that show the interpreters in a “one picture format,” interpreting the performance simultaneously.
About Hands In!
Hands In! is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit based out of Atlanta, GA that aims to connect communities by promoting accessibility in the arts. Hands In! produces original works such as workshops, classes, and community events with a special interest in theatre and jukebox musicals, all of which are fully accessible in American Sign Language. Anyone and everyone can enjoy their visually immersive shows.
About those tickets
$10 from synchrotheatre.com. All "On the Screen" ticket holders for A Year With Frog and Toad (Dec 11—Jan 3), Mirandy and Brother Wind (Jan 29—Feb 21), and The Bluest Eye (June 7—27) will be receiving links to two versions of the performance – one with interpreters and one without – in their ticket confirmations.
One of our local theatres is expanding their horizons to reach more patrons through a new collaboration. Quick facts Synchronicity Theatre will be partnering with Hands In! for three performances this season to …
Banner Image Credit: PJ Loughran (American, born 1973), Headed for Montgomery, Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March, 2015, written by Lynda Blackmon Lowery, india ink and acrylic with digital components. Collection of the artist. Courtesy of the High Museum of Art.
The High Museum of Art is encouraging educational dialogues within families through the most accessible tool: children's stories.
Just the facts
Now through Nov. 8, 2020, Picture the Dream: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement through Children’s Books, is on display at the High Museum of Art. Organized in collaboration with The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, the exhibition features pieces by Brian Pinkney, Laura Freeman, Jerry Pinkney, Faith Ringgold, and more.
Sparking important conversations
“One of the guiding aspects of our mission is a commitment to family audiences. Through our children’s book exhibitions, we aim to help adult visitors open meaningful dialogues with the children in their lives and create memories that will last a lifetime,” says Rand Suffolk, the Nancy and Holcombe T. Green, Jr. director of the High.
“This exhibition will spark important conversations across generations about a crucial period in our nation’s history that connects directly to our city, a birthplace of the civil rights movement.”
Books featured in Picture the Dream
Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly, illustrated by Laura Freeman
A Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Speech That Inspired a Nation by Barry Wittenstein, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks written and illustrated by Faith Ringgold
My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King III, illustrated by A.G. Ford
Child of the Civil Rights Movement by Paula Young Shelton, illustrated by Raul Colón
I Have a Dream by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., illustrated by Kadir Nelson
A natural collaboration
To accompany the exhibition, the High's next-door neighbors, the Alliance Theatre, will present a world premiere production of Sit-In written by local award-winning playwright Pearl Cleage, as Encore previously reported.
“Working with the creative teams on this exhibition and theatrical production has underscored the power picture books have in reaching readers of all ages,” says guest curator Andrea Pinkney.
“Through an immersive tapestry of images and ideas, the artwork in Picture the Dream and the depictions in the Sit-In play take viewers by the hand, guiding them through times of bravery and triumph. It’s an honor to collaborate in this page-to-stage experience that delivers a front-row seat to the dramatic events that continue to shape our world.”
Tickets to the High are $14.50 general admission for non-members and free for children under age 6. As Encore previously reported, all patrons must reserve a time slot to visit the museum, and they can do so by clicking here.
[post_title] => The High Museum starts "important conversations" with PICTURE THE DREAM premiere
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Banner Image Credit: PJ Loughran (American, born 1973), Headed for Montgomery, Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March, 2015, written by Lynda Blackmon …
FREE Virtual Open House Saturday, August 8 from 11:00am to 3:15pm
On Saturday August 8, join the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education for some fun virtual classes the whole family can enjoy. For more information and to register click here.
Class Schedule 11:00-11:45am: Ballet, children & teens, ages 11+ 12:00-12:30pm: Tap Twist & Twirl, ages 3-5 12:45-1:15pm: Creative Movement, ages 3-4 1:30-2:15pm: Creative Movement, ages 5-6 2:30-3:15pm: Ballet, ages 7-10
Photo by Kim Kinney
[post_title] => VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE | Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education
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FREE Virtual Open HouseSaturday, August 8 from 11:00am to 3:15pm On Saturday August 8, join the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education for some fun virtual classes the whole family …
A podcast created by Atlanta locals is bringing new works by up and coming screenwriters to the spotlight in a unique way.
In "Six Page Scripts," a team of writers has come together to celebrate writers by holding readings of short scripts- anywhere from two to ten pages. The creators call it an educational podcast, "by screenwriters, for screenwriters."
"Screenwriting is an incredibly undervalued job in the film industry," writes the Six Page Scripts team. "Our goal is to celebrate and publicize the writers that create your favorite stories."
All aspiring screenwriters are encouraged to submit works to be read on the podcast. As part of each episode, the team not only reads the scripts but adds their professional take on the piece.
"Unlike Hollywood where the line is usually, 'We love it, but [insert long list of everything they don’t love],' we aim to highlight and celebrate what works well in the scripts, as well as tips and advice on how the writers can improve them." writes the SPS team. "In addition to valuable (we hope) feedback, featured writers come away from the show with a quality audio production of their script that they can share with producers, or simply their friends, family and social networks."
They say their podcast has industry-wide value that extends beyond just writers.
"Listeners also benefit from hearing the feedback, as every script we workshop - even the great ones - have specific and unique teachable moments and techniques that they can apply to their own writing."
So far, the team has produced four episodes, all of which can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and basically anywhere else you listen to your podcasts.
About the team
We are a group of writers with a shared love for creating stories for the screen. Altogether, we have years of experience working in writers’ rooms for well-known TV shows, running a film production company, working various jobs on film sets, and spending most of our time learning about and improving our own screenwriting skills. We’ve also struggled, like most writers, with getting our ideas to an audience. That’s where this podcast comes in.
We hope to provide a new platform, accessible to any screenwriter, which will let your stories be heard by hundreds. Our ultimate goal is to bring screenwriters into the spotlight for a change, celebrating our craft and creating relationships between writers and the fans and film professionals who can be huge allies in future career opportunities.
-Creators Mitch Olson, Jason Faust, Kelley Bostian, Laura McCarter
For more information, to donate, listen to the podcast, or submit a script, visit www.sixpagescripts.com/.
A podcast created by Atlanta locals is bringing new works by up and coming screenwriters to the spotlight in a unique way. In “Six Page Scripts,” a team of writers …
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[post_content] => Giving birth is hectic enough for neophyte parents. But just a few years later you have to start thinking about your child’s education. Are you in a good public school district? Can you afford to sell your house and move into a better district right now? Maybe private school will alleviate some of your fears … or deliver the arts and physical education programs that public schools have eliminated.
Atlanta offers a monstrous amount of options, all of which offer low student-to-teacher ratios as well as diverse learning environments and "unique" practices for holistic student development. So we thought we'd help you narrow your focus down to some of Atlanta's leading prep schools. Although we've listed them by geography, you don't have to live near a private school to attend it.
From the cradle to college
For parents who want congruity for their child, these schools offer 12 or more grade levels. Largely college prep-based programs, some of which also emphasize faith-based social responsibility, these schools aim to prepare children academically and socially for the new challenges of our global economy.
Atlanta:
Parents with kids who might benefit from nontraditional educational settings can choose from single-sex schools, boarding schools and prep schools that emphasize the arts and sciences in ways that extend far beyond the classroom.
Atlanta:
Children with learning disabilities like dyslexia, hearing or speech impediments or emotional issues may need environments that are supportive and understanding of their particular challenges. These schools also incorporate a certain level of empathy and therapy.
Atlanta:
::
Danielle Deadwyler is an Atlanta-based writer, actor and mother to a dancing machine. Read more of her stories at tinyurl.com/atldanielle.
[post_title] => From pre-K to college prep: Your guide to Atlanta's private schools
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Giving birth is hectic enough for neophyte parents. But just a few years later you have to start thinking about your child’s education. Are you in a good public school …
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[post_content] => Entrusting your children to someone else's care is a major decision many parents have to make. And while it's necessary, the process of determining who will watch over your child is not always easy. It takes a lot of time and research to navigate through the offerings. To help make the search a little less daunting, we've compiled a short list of programs to get you started.
Preschool programs
Atlanta International School
AIS was founded by a group of parents, international educators and members of the business community to provide area children world-class educational opportunities. It holds accreditation from SACS, Council of International Schools and International Baccalaureate. In addition to educating grades K-12, there are also pre-Kindergarten programs for four and 5-year-olds. For more information, visit aischool.org or call 404-841-3840 to schedule a tour. 2890 North Fulton Dr. NE, AtlantaBright Horizons
Founded in 1986, Bright Horizons is the world’s leading provider of employer-sponsored childcare and early education, including programs for more than 90 of the Fortune 500. In addition, more than half of the organizations on Working Mother magazine’s "100 Best Companies" list are Bright Horizons clients. All of their centers meet the standards of excellence set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Infants through school age children are accepted. Visit brighthorizons.com or call 866-854-1958 for locations and admission deadlines.
Montessori Schools
Dr. Maria Montessori believed that preschool and elementary students learned best by exploring their natural curiosity; her methods are taught throughout public and private schools worldwide. There are three campuses in metro Atlanta: Emory, Alpharetta and Cumming, and all offer half-day, full-day and after school programs. Visit montessorischoolsofgeorgia.com for enrollment information and to schedule a tour.
Primrose School of Dunwoody
With its goal “to give the best to each child every day,” Primrose Schools were the first in the nation to become eligible for accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Primrose’s research-based curriculum uses “balanced teaching,” with both teacher-directed and child-initiated learning strategies for infants through 5-year-olds. For more information, visit primroseschools.com or call 770-396-8266 to schedule a tour. Fall enrollment is underway. 5050 Nandina Lane, DunwoodySheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms is Georgia’s oldest nonprofit early childhood education program, dating back to 1888, when a group of Atlanta women formed a sewing circle at the First United Methodist Church to mend the clothing of street children. One day, while delivering clothes, the women discovered a child tied to a bedpost as a safety measure while her mother worked long hours in the cotton mills. Determined to help these children, the women began to care for them at the mission, an old railroad box car served as the first center. Facilities meet the stringent requirements of the NAEYC. For enrollment information, visit shelteringarmsforkids.com or call 404-523-2767. 385 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW, AtlantaThe Suzuki School
With two campuses in Buckhead, the Suzuki School is a SACS-accredited preparatory school for preschoolers. Founded in 1976, it is modeled after the Talent Education Institute in Japan. It was the first school in the U.S. to offer the “Mother Tongue” principles of learning from birth. Programs start at three months and progress through kindergarten. For more information, visit suzukischool.com or call 404-869-1042. 443 East Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta
After-school care programs
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
For more than 70 years, BGCA has offered a range of programs, encouraging academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character and leadership development for children and youth, ages 6-18. After-school programs run from 2:30-8 p.m., and there are 27 clubs across 11 counties. Visit bgcma.org or call 404-527-7100 to find a club near you.
Color Wheel
Decatur’s Color Wheel After School Art Studio believes in the value and power of the arts to ignite a child's imagination, encourage creative thinking and develop self-esteem. Young artists are welcome throughout the school year, from 3-6:30 p.m.; morning art programs are available for children ages 3-5. For more information, visit colorwheelgeorgia.com or call 404-377-9800. 112 Church St., DecaturLittle Voyages
Neuroscientists have proven that the earlier we begin linguistics, the more quickly we can pick up different languages. Throughout the school year and summer, children ages 3-10 can learn a foreign language at Sandy Springs’ Little Voyages. For more information, visit littlevoyages.com or call 404-428-6197.
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Entrusting your children to someone else’s care is a major decision many parents have to make. And while it’s necessary, the process of determining who will watch over your child …
