Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant

In the schools we will teach theater skills by conducting a mini teaching session before the show in basic theater vocabulary and skills. We will offer a high quality theater experience, including a Native American student playing the lead role to encourage other perhaps marginalized students to explore theater. At Nielsen Place, an assisted living center in Bemidji, we will offer ôPetite Rougeö to elders, raising the quality of the experience by having our cast members matched with residents. Actors will give the elders a flower and postcards to send to the actor once a month from October 2011 through October 2012. Elders will also receive a book entitled ôWhat the Arts Have Done to Enrich My Lifeö to fill-in and share with the actors paired with them.In school performances teachers will complete online surveys after the show with targeted questions about the studentsÆ theater experience, giving feedback on where improvements can be made. At least 85% of the surveys will rate this as a positive theater experience for the students. At Nielson Place at least 90% of participating residents will send postcards to the actors and 100% will complete their books on how the arts have enriched their lives. Nielson Place staff will also fill out a survey and at least 95% will report satisfaction with this activity for their residents.