John Tartaglia's ImaginOcean Partners with Three NYC Public School Classrooms

The Drama Desk-nominated Off-Broadway hit John Tartaglia's ImaginOcean has partnered with Early Stages, an organization in New York City that fosters literacy through the arts, to create a unique program to give third graders in three New York City public school classrooms (PS 15 Red Hook, Brooklyn; PS 19 Corona, Queens; PS 203 Bayside, Queens) the chance to shine on the Off-Broadway stage.

According to John Tartaglia, producer and creator of John Tartaglia's ImaginOcean, "We are thrilled to be partnering with Early Stages because they share our mission to bring the arts to kids and kids to the arts. The producers of our show are passionate about making theatre accessible to children and expanding arts education as far and wide as possible. This program is exceptional and we are proud to be able to offer this."

The unique curriculum will encourage and develop the creative writing skills of 130 seven and eight year old New Yorkers, with the goal of their learning how to develop and write an original play that takes the lead characters of ImaginOcean -- Dorsel, Tank, Bubbles and Leonard -- on their next journey.

On October 6 the three classes will see the show at no cost, and then participate in weekly workshops in their classrooms led by Early Stages teaching artist Caron A. Levis, along with visits from Tartaglia. The workshops will foster their literacy skills as they work together to develop a plot and theme for these characters and collaborate on a script. Themes for their original play can be whatever they choose from ocean conservancy to friendship. There are no boundaries. The three short plays (each five to ten minutes long) will be produced and performed by Tartaglia and the cast of ImaginOcean at New World Stages on November 10, 2010.

John Tartaglia's ImaginOcean is an underwater theatrical experience like no other. The innovative glow-in-the-dark musical features extraordinary puppets, memorable original songs, and a heartwarming journey of discovery for audiences of all ages. A trio of loveable fish named Tank, Bubbles, and Dorsel are best friends who discover a treasure map and swim off in search of clues. They take the audience along their singing, bubbling, dancing, jiving adventure.

Tartaglia is best known for his starring Tony Award nominated role in the Broadway show Avenue Q; his acclaimed 12 years as the youngest puppeteer ever to work on Sesame Street; and for creating, producing and starring in Disney Channel's hit television show Johnny and the Sprites, for which he received an Emmy Award nomination. He also starred recently on Broadway in Shrek The Musical, and in Beauty and The Beast. Tartaglia is the creator, writer and producer of ImaginOcean, along with voicing five of its main characters.

 

Early Stages is a citywide arts and education nonprofit organization. Their mission is to foster literacy through the arts, improve classroom learning, and inspire children to explore their own voices in order to reach their full potential. Each student learns performance, language arts, and life skills. Early Stages believes that arts education transforms the lives of students and should be available to all children. Their vision is to cultivate literate, ethical, and articulate young men and women who will be fully prepared to participate in the arts and in society. They accomplish this through extended in-school residencies and by bringing students to outstanding performances. Early Stages has worked with NYC public schools in the five boroughs since 1983. This past year they served more than 10,000 students and partnered with over 80 schools.

For more information, visit www.imaginoceanthemusical.com.

Photo Credit: Aaron Epstein