Des Moines Educator Receives National Theater Award

As one of four national award recipients, East High School Drama Teacher Ruth Ann Gaines is being recognized for her commitment to outstanding arts education and partnership with the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines on Broadway education initiatives.

Over the last twelve years, Ms. Gaines has collaborated with the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines. She has enthusiastically encouraged her high school students to participate in multi-cultural, in-depth learning and performance experiences. Her students have seen multiple shows at the Civic Center, including the Broadway touring productions of The Color Purple, Twelve Angry Men, The Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King. Ms. Gaines has helped shape and implement curriculum, recruit speakers, and engage participating students in all six Des Moines Public High Schools.

Ms. Gaines was presented the national 2010 League Educator Apple Award by Rachel Reiner, Senior Manager of Membership Services & Education Programs with The Broadway League on Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Background info (from the Broadway League's website):

The Broadway League, the national trade organization for the commercial theater industry, announced the 2010 "League Educator Apple Awards" recipients. The awards acknowledge the efforts of local schools and community groups that support programs relating to Broadway or touring Broadway shows, promoting further development of theater education.

The League is committed to working with its members to develop new audiences and model projects by supporting education initiatives across the country. Now in its seventh year, the League's Education Committee has honored educators, administrators, and school district leaders from around the country for their commitment to arts education and their work in collaboration with League-member venues that present touring Broadway shows. Through this award, the League encourages the development of theater education programs around the country while helping to build a future generation of theatergoers.

"We are exceptionally pleased to give out four awards this year," said Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League. "Most of the teachers have six to twelve years of working with the schools, which celebrates the long-standing relationships between the schools and Broadway League member venues around the country. The teachers represent a variety of specialties including drama, social studies, and one even highlights technical theater skills in his program."

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