THE ADDAMS FAMILY and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Collaborate on 'No Snap Judgements'

Just be sure to not make any "Snap Judgments." Building upon the social commentary which has permeated The Addams Family brand since its beginning, The Addams Family: A Musical Comedy has created a new educational community outreach program called "No Snap Judgments," which addresses the problem of bullying in the schools. For years the "Family" and its creator Charles Addams has challenged us, in a variety of media formats (cartoons, books, television, movies, and theatre), to look beyond first impressions and personal expectations of what is "normal". It is this challenge that Camp Broadway and the Addams Family Musical bring to classrooms in No Snap Judgments, the first of a series of project-based, digital learning modules emanating from contemporary Theater Productions.

The Addams Family and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall worked together to employ this program while the show makes its stop in Sarasota. In doing this, Musical Theatre students at Booker Middle School were able to discuss the themes of the Addams Family, and have a special online video-stream Q&A with cast member Amanda Bruton (Grandma Addams) via Safari Live.*

In preparation for the discussion, teachers Carrie Mills and Emma Matejka, and their students began exploring the themes of "No Snap Judgments," as well as the barriers to becoming a professional actor. Prior to the video Q&A, the students discussed first impressions/making snap judgments, listened to music from the show, and researched the actress they would be speaking with. During the interview, the students asked questions about life in the professional theatre and what the actress was like in Middle School herself, and her experiences with bullying. This opportunity allowed the students to see a humanized version of a successful professional actress and to learn about the real life sacrifices and difficulties that come with a life in theatre, while at the same time emphasizing hard work and dedication not only to your craft, but being professional and accepting with those who you will be working with in the field. "They always have people telling them to 'get a real' job," says Mills. "Any time I can connect students to a professional and show them that the theatre is a viable career is a good thing."

*Safari Live is a distance learning tool that allows The Van Wezel to connect to students in Sarasota County. This and other Safari Live broadcasts offered through the Van Wezel are possible thanks to support from the Patterson Foundation through their Arts & Education Initiative for EdExploreSRQ.com, as well as collaboration with the Sarasota County Schools and the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County.

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800-826-9303, or visit www.VanWezel.org