At 6:23pm tonight everything went dark. We had just finished our master classes and were sitting in the cafeteria eating the illustrious beef pie/casserole...it was real cheezy wit a liddle ketchup on the side...Botswana style. Most of our team sitting at our usual table kickin it about how our classes went and brushing up on what we need to accomplish for the production rehearsal starting at 7pm. Then all of a sudden "BLACK OUT". The whole campus power (and maybe even in Gabarone) just shut down. Those familiar with the school sharing their insight about how this has happened before and not knowing exactly when it might come back on. Fortunately there are a few portable florescent lights that have some power so we are not completely in the dark. Then word comes that the power should be coming back on at 8pm. But wait a minute, it's crunch time for our show and we need every minute available to put this mug tugeva. So now we trying to figure out how to make the most of our time. We try to galvanize the troops and get some lights in the theatre so we can do sumtin but it ain't exactly workin. So we decide to walk in the theatre and see what we can do. As we walk in students are sittin inside waiting for rehearsal to begin and it's not even 7pm yet. It's pitch dark and the only lights that are on are the students cell phones. What!...I know a lotta kids that woulda bounced and came up with something else to do (and truthfully there were a few that did; very few). So we started rehearsal in the dark. About a half hour later someone came in with a few portable lights which helped and 20 minutes after that the power was back on and all systems go. I say all that to say KUDOS to the performers of "Tapestry". Way to dig in and make it happen tonight! It was productive.
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Project Overview
Passionate about becoming ambassadors of the arts, seven Juilliard students have initiated a community service project and arts education program in Botswana, Africa, called Project Maru-a-Pula. While in Botswana, the Juilliard students will work with children at the Maru-A-Pula (Setswanan for Promises of Blessings) School and the Mmanoko Village. Maru-A-Pula is an independent day & boarding secondary school in Gaborone, the capitol of Botswana. Mmanoko, situated between Gabarone and Molepolole, is a small village that maintains of a population of roughly 1,000 people; two hundred and eighty five of which are children currently in the only primary school.
The Project Maru-A-PulaTeam will teach dance and drama to children from both the Maru-a-Pula School and Mmanoko Village, more specifically the primary school. This program will culminate in a full-length performance, combining the talents of the Project Maru-A-PulaTeam and the children from both the Maru-A-Pula School and Mmanoko Village. Most importantly, the Project Maru-A-PulaTeam strives to demonstrate that there is opportunity for life, progress and success through creativity. We believe that by reaching out through love, humanity, respect and art, we can make an everlasting change.
The Project Maru-a-Pula Team
L-R: Sekou, Carolyn, Hassan, Candace, LeBaron, Jehbreal, Julia and Kerry
Donations!
Donations!
Our team is asking for your help. We need your aid in making sure this project, designed to instill hope for a better tomorrow, comes to flourish. We believe that there is a tremendous opportunity for life, progress and success through creativity. Your gift, regardless of size, would be greatly appreciated. Your support will help us to encourage the next generation of leaders, inspire lives and rejuvenate souls. We thank you for your consideration and hope that you will join our family of supporters.
Checks may be made payable to:
Candace Feldman (memo Project MAP)
Please mail checks to:
The Juilliard School
c/o Candace Feldman
Concert Office
60 Lincoln Center Plaza
New York, NY 10023
APG Global:The Light
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Depart for Gaborone Botswana
OUR INSPIRATION
There is no secret that in these economic times the first cut being made globally is arts education. The focus seems to be more on war, money and power rather than education, culture and peace. The arts have transformed into smoke, gradually disappearing in thin air. Losing its true purpose and value, the arts are beginning to fade away, robbing men, women and children of a very important outlet for self-expression. Without the arts, culture, history, creativity and most importantly, self-identity vanishes. We believe in order for the spirit and vitality of art to continue and reinvent itself within today’s youth, one must plant the seed for the mind to become curious of all the possibilities. Having a love for the arts and having the opportunity to experience the power of the arts, we trust that the arts can and does touch the spirit and heart in ways that positively affect the mind, body and soul of a person.
Without proper guidance, it is safe to say that a young and influential mind can drift anywhere the world takes it. The mind must be taught to focus and through the discipline of creative and fine arts, the mind is taught to focus in order to achieve a more productive and fulfilling life. We, the students of the Black Student Union, plan to do just that: plant the seed of inspiration and cultivate the minds of youth to become active leaders in their communities and, hopefully, in the arts.
THE NEED
Arts education is essential for instilling curiosity, creativity and spirited vitality within the minds of young people. It cleanses the soul, conveys truth, redefines success and eliminates the fear of failure. The arts provide balance and an expansive outlet for the mind, soul, and emotions. Our educational commitment brings these essential skills to the forefront of the student curriculum though creative lesson plans, active engagement, and community involvement. Working with faculty members and community leaders, we will introduce students to new forms of creative expression while ultimately incorporating their own unique culture into innovative performance projects. The students’ success will culminate in public performances celebrating their achievements.
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