The Show Must Go On!

Beginning in January 2024, our Community Arts program hosted a theater class for the students of North Lawndale where these inquisitive young students learned the ins and outs of theater from production design to acting. This class was led by Leah Barsanti, a talented theater artist who has specialized in organizing theater experiences for young people. With her direction, our students explored the performing arts for the first time, and it was clear from the showcase that they made a joyous discovery.

On May 30th, Harmony Community Church hosted our Community Arts showcase, and one of our program directors, Melonie Lockridge, kicked off the event by addressing the parents, friends, and families in the room on the importance of arts instruction for young people in North Lawndale. With so few opportunities for arts education in this area, our community arts program is an essential resource for these students, and the benefits each student reaps from this experience cannot be understated. 

From there, the show got on the road. Each age group performed a piece which included an important message - the 7th and 8th graders’ video focused on violence and bullying in the neighborhood, while the K-2nd graders focused on the effects of prejudice. Watching each of their performances, it was clear that the students had gone out of their comfort zones to do this performance - but in doing so, they had grown and learned to be more confident, empathetic people. 

Throughout each of these student performances, the room was marked by cheers and encouragement from the students’ friends and family. Both the audience and the students were swelling with pride over what they had learned and accomplished over the course of the session. And above all, it was clear that this group of students had fun together while they grew and learned. For some, it was a fun look at what the world of theater looks like; for others, it might have been the start of a life dedicated to exploring the performing arts. Being able to provide that opportunity to the young people of North Lawndale is why this program is important.