WAM Theatre Opens Registration For Ballot Ballad Youth Program

WAM Theatre has announced the launch of its Ballot Ballad Youth Civic Engagement Program at Lenox Library for middle school students (ages 11-14). This 5 week pilot of the program will focus on women in American History and will explore one of the biggest “what ifs” in our country's founding: “What if women had been in the room where it happened?” We will also examine the history and current landscape of civic engagement in Massachusetts and the United States. Participants will take part in ensemble-based theater taught by WAM Theatre Teaching Artist, Kelly Galvin, and craft original performance pieces. Open and free of charge to all who are interested. 

Ballot Ballad is an interdisciplinary civics curriculum developed by WAM Artistic Director Genée Coreno in collaboration with Lisa Donovan of Berkshire Cultural Asset Network and Leslie Appleget of BERK12's Portrait of a Graduate program. Ballot Ballad integrates art and advocacy to empower students with knowledge of their voting rights through collaboration and creative expression. Using theater, storytelling, and songwriting techniques students craft original performance pieces that blend personal narrative with collective advocacy to become engaged citizens who understand the broader importance of civic engagement. 

“Partnering with the Lenox Library to share a module of Ballot Ballad feels especially meaningful. Libraries are pillars of knowledge; places of education, curiosity, and access; and we're honored to bring this work into such an essential community space,” Artistic Director Genée Coreno said, “At WAM, a core part of our work is representation—ensuring young people can see themselves reflected in history and in the stories we tell. When students learn about the many women and girls who have created pathways to earning, learning, and expression it does more than inform, it models possibility. It helps them believe that kind of agency and impact is possible in their own lives. Through this program, students engage honestly with the history of the United States, who has been included, who has been left out, and imagine how we move forward together.”

This year's session will be led by Teaching Artist Kelly Galvin, who said, “by imagining bold, brilliant women from our history, we pull up a chair for them and discover what becomes possible when their voices enter the conversation. I'm excited to lead this collaboration as we question the stories we've inherited and dream up new ones. And I love the joyful, fearless spaces WAM creates, where we can begin building a more inclusive, equitable world by imagining it together.”

Lenox Youth Librarian Vanessa Justice expanded, “We are excited to partner with WAM Theatre on the Ballot Ballad program this summer! I think these are important topics for the youth of Lenox (and the surrounding areas) to explore. They see what is happening in the world and should be able to inquire and talk about serious issues in a safe and creative space. I anticipate that they will learn from each other, from Kelly, and about themselves as well. It is easy to think of history as finite, something that happened to other people. But we are making our own history every day and it's up to us to decide how we want to be remembered. I can't wait to see what they create!”

No theatre experience is required to participate.  The criteria for participation is enthusiasm, creative impulse, and the openness to new experiences.  Parents, counselors, teachers, and community leaders are also encouraged to nominate students who would thrive in this kind of collaborative creative environment.  

More info: wamtheatre.com/engage/ballot-ballad/

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