Describes a theater in Port-of-Spain developed by a recovered drug user and advertising executive to provide a safe and interesting environment for recovering drug users. Discusses the methods used to engage the participants in learning about theater. Offers a chronological recounting of the class and describes participants' reactions to various…

Describes the results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 1997 Arts Assessment of music, theater, visual arts, and dance. Presents results for the achievement of eighth graders in music, theater, and visual arts. (Author)

A grade 6-12 Vancouver, Washington, magnet school blends arts education with interdisciplinary academics. To get in, students don't need talent or good grades, but a serious desire to study the arts. Academics are taught in the morning; afternoon arts classes are on three levels. Students are required to explore all the arts. Contains three…

Explores the many roles that the theater played within the settlement houses in Toronto (Canada) from 1910 to 1930. Demonstrates that settlement workers in Toronto attempted to use the power of the theater to influence, inspire, and inform both their clientele and the broader community. (CMK)

Contends that many choral programs suffer from a continued dependence on the piano for music learning and intonation. Provides suggestions that will help students develop sight-reading and singing skills that are not centered around the piano, such as creating a sight-reading system and having students read choral music immediately. (CMK)

Offers a brief overview of "Curtains Up On Reading," an outreach program of the Dallas Children's Theater that places literature-based drama at the center of the curriculum. Outlines the philosophy, history, and methodology of this unique interdisciplinary language and fine arts curriculum. Describes its application in a five-day model…

Describes the use of reader's theater in school libraries and suggests titles that are suitable to use for elementary school students and young adults. Topics discussed include using reader's theater with parents at parent organization meetings; collaborating with teachers for classroom presentations; the importance of dialog; and benefits to…

Identifies key aspects of producing talent shows and outlines helpful hints for avoiding pitfalls and ensuring a smooth production. Presents suggestions concerning publicity, scheduling, and support personnel. Describes types of acts along with special needs and problems specific to each act. Includes a list of resources. (MJP)

Presents the results of a survey in which high school choral music students identified teacher behaviors that motivate students in choral rehearsal. Lists and discusses the most effective motivational behaviors: (1) creating a nurturing environment; (2) providing feedback; (3) assigning interesting repertoire; and (4) presenting achievable…

This paper reports on the work in progress undertaken with young children, artists and early childhood education students in an innovative arts education partnership between Windmill Performing Arts, the national performing arts company for children and families, and the University of South Australia. The paper explains how the project was…

The evaluation and professional development of teachers and administrators are two sides of the same coin. Both are the essential currency schools have to improve teachers' practice and students' learning, but schools often spend this currency unwisely. Too often, evaluations are a source of tension and conflict, even a necessary evil.…

The absence of an authoring agency in higher education is often reflected in the bewilderment of students who feel they have been forced to take courses which have no relevance to their life goals and interests. At the University of Washington School of Drama, a project was developed to involve undergraduates in the development of an open-ended…

This document consists of the new national standards for arts education and a summary statement accompanying the book. The standards recommend that by the time they have completed secondary school, students should: (1) be able to communicate at a basic level in the four arts disciplines, dance, music, theater, and the visual arts; (2) be able to…

Developed with the purpose of conducting a statewide program review of dance, theatre, music, and plastic arts programs in Florida's community colleges, this paper provides an overview of the program review process used in the state, a review of the literature on performing and visual arts in two-year colleges, and an analysis of findings.…

This paper describes the work of a teacher at the Heartwood Dance Center, a school of dance and related arts in rural Calhoun County, West Virginia. The teacher also conducts freelance workshops in local schools of the region, where people are isolated and incomes are generally low. The extent to which children are talented is partially dependent…