September 2, 2011

ChathamArts Brings EbZb Oral History & Drama Residency to Margaret Pollard Middle School

NC Arts Council Awards Grant to ChathamArts to host EbZb Residency at Margaret Pollard Middle School

Chatham County, NC – The NC Arts Council has awarded a grant to Chatham County Arts Council to bring an Arts-In-Education residency with EbzB Productions (www.ebzb.org) to M. B. Pollard Middle School.

Artists from EbzB Productions will help MB Pollard 8th graders create a dramatic stage production from oral histories conducted with Chatham County residents. The production will focus on the topic of diversity. Artists will visit the school to guide students in playwriting, staging, publicizing, and documenting the production process. 8th grade students of teachers Elizabeth Carriel, Michelle Rotante, and Mary Clayton Liles will be involved in creating and performing the play. The project will culminate in a public performance for students and the community.

ChathamArts and EbZb Productions brought the same residency to Chatham Central High School during Spring, 2011. “I’ve never seen my students so engaged in any of our projects before,” said English teacher, Emily Boyle.

Students from Margaret Pollard are documenting the residency process via a blog at http://takeastandmbpollard.blogspot.com/.

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Don’t take it from us! See what Chatham County students, teachers and administrators are saying about their Artists-in-Schools experiences.

“Children were so excited to write and to share. They all came away talking about writing and wanting to talk about poetry. They looked forward to his [Phillip Shabazz] visits each day.” –Classroom Teacher
“It felt relieving and comforting to express myself during the workshop.” –6th grade student
“I really liked showing my feelings in my work.” –4th grade student
“This is my 4th time in this school division participating with an artist residency. They have all been wonderful. It is a great opportunity for students to learn in different ways. My hope is for this to be available to us every year.” –Classroom teacher
“It made me feel happy because I got to use my imagination.” –5th grade student
“It felt good for me to release all my emotions.” –5th grade student
“The students talked about the experience for a week after.” –Classroom teacher
“Watching the kids put their plan into action for the performance and actually dance, all while doing so in front of their peers is the reason we do this…The experience was amazing!” –Elementary Assistant Principal
“I have a student that is a newcomer to our school, as well as to our country. She found great comfort in being able to communicate with instructors in her native language and showed such enthusiasm in her willingness to participate. It was beautiful. We would welcome the opportunity again in the future!” –K-8 Principal
“It felt good to be myself in school.” –6th grade student
“I personally saw students who, in my experience, have never been willing to speak in a group, let alone dance, do both without fear or hesitation. Students who participated have asked to join band – they want to have more opportunities to participate in music. Students in subsequent meetings have asked to learn more about Senegalese cultures.” –K-8 Music teacher
“It felt like the best days ever.” –5th grade student