After School Programs
MVCCT offers after school programs in area elementary schools to help enrich arts opportunities for young people. These programs take two forms: programs sponsored by PTAs and an Outreach program. We are currently working with Silverbrook, Fort Hunt, Hollin Meadows, Lane, Hybla Valley, Woodlawn, Mount Vernon Woods and Woodley Hills elementary schools.
PTA Sponsored Programs
MVCCT currently provides after school arts enrichment programs in area elementary schools. Classes generally include:
- Introduction to Theatre Vocabulary
- Basic Acting Theory and Practice
- Improvisation and Theatre Games
- Voice and Movement
- A final class presentation for families and friends
Instructors
Our instructors are experienced, degreed children's theatre actors, directors and teachers. Our education director, Beth Hauptle, serves at the contact with the PTA representative.
Basic Arrangement
Class sessions are typically eight-weeks, and classes are divided into two or three groups:
- Option 1: 1-3rd grades and 4th - 6th grades
- Option 2: K-1st grades, 2nd - 3rd grades, 4th-6th grades
Classes are 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours long
Two classes are generally offered, back to back on a given day.
A PTA representative serves as liaison with MVCCT and this representative markets the class (creates the flyer and gets it distributed in take home back packs), and serves as registrar.
A one-hour class for an eight week session costs between $80 and $100 per student, and must have a minimum of 10 students to be held. Checks are written to the PTA of the school, and then the PTA issues a check(s) to MVCCT. It is preferable to receive half payment at mid-way point, and final payment at the end.
The PTA contracts with MVCCT who contracts with the teachers.
Outreach Program
For 2008-2009, with partial funding from the Arts Council of Fairfax County and matching funds provided by MVCCT and its individual and business contributors, MVCCT is undertaking the third year of an After-School drama program in five area Fairfax County Public Elementary Schools: Hybla Valley, Woodlawn, Mount Vernon Woods, Hollin Meadows and Woodley Hills. The program is designed to serve students who would otherwise not be able to afford to participate in such a program.
Approximately 15 fifth graders in each school are selected by their teachers, guidance counselors and principal to participate in a 14-week process to create an original work based on a theme of importance to them such as bullying, accepting responsibility, gangs, etc. The students are chosen based upon their interest in participating and the school's belief that the program could be beneficial to their development and transition into adolescence.
The third year of the project begins in December 2008 and culminates in May with a showcase of all five productions in one evening in a festival atmosphere at Woodlawn Elementary School. In addition to the in-school program, students from the participating schools (those in the program and others) are encouraged to apply for summer camp scholarships, spring break camp scholarships, and are offered free tickets to MVCCT performances. The schools' principals and staff are giving MVCCT full support, engagement and cooperation.
Teachers and Directors for this semester include Virginia residents Chris McGriff, John Waldron and Melanie McCleerey. Ms. McCleerey is also serving as the on-site coordinator for the program, providing linkages between teachers, parents, students and the teacher/directors.
Additionally, the final dress rehearsals, backstage activity, interviews and final performances will be videotaped and edited into a short film which all participating students will receive as a remembrance of the program.