JONESBOROUGH, TN -- Right in our own backyard, students are learning how to use story to change their community and their world.
The Story Arts Program of the Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts in Jonesborough, Tenn. is intended to teach children how to discover, craft, and share their stories through a variety of traditional and contemporary forms.
Conducted by the International Storytelling Center (ISC) in collaboration with the Town of Jonesborough and the town's elementary, middle, and high schools, the educational program was launched at the start of the 2010/2011 school year. Student programming will be directed by the International Storytelling Center and Community Performance International (CPI), a team of storytellers and storytelling educators.
• Community Play Initiative: Students at Jonesborough Elementary and Middle School will produce a Community Performance play during the 2010/2011 school year. Children in grades 1-8 will serve as participants and audience members, and teachers will be invited to develop grade-appropriate activities to engage students in the story-to-performance process. Participants will gather stories from family members, school staff, and other students to create and perform a play for their school, families, and the surrounding community. The initiative will meet state educational curriculum standards while bringing students to a deeper understanding of their place in American and World History.
• Film Class: An after-school, story-based program in film will be offered to high school students. Focusing on the revitalization of the Booker T. Washington building, which once served as the African-American school in Jonesborough prior to integration, students will document the physical renovation of the school house into a community arts center. Participants will gather stories about segregation and integration and receive instruction in videography and cinematography, editing, and screenwriting as well as gain a fundamental understanding of film theory and history.
For more information on the Story Arts Program, call Bridgette Ward at 423-913-8234.
