Gulfshore Playhouse Swimming To Schools

Gulfshore Playhouse Launches Educational Initiative

Thanks to a generous donation that will be made to Gulfshore Playhouse from the Fifth Third Bank Professional Tennis Tournament at Shadowwood and a generous $10,000 grant by Wachovia Bank, Gulfshore Playhouse is proud to announce the launch of the Gulfshore Playhouse Outreach Initiative, bringing theatrical residencies into the schools and directly to the students of Lee and Collier Counties.

Kristen Coury, Founder and Producing Artistic Director of the Playhouse states, "It is both our passion and a large part of our mission to provide theatrical arts-related classes for children. Our building isn't ready yet, but we felt it was time to embark on an in-school program. We are delighted and grateful that both Wachovia Bank and The Fifth Third Bank Professional Tennis Tournament at Shadowwood have promised the first two major contributions, providing the founding dollars necessary to commence our initiative and have programs in the schools as early as Spring, 2007."

Having embarked upon this goal in October of last year, the Playhouse hired Irene Horowitz, a former educator and outreach expert from the Northeast, to undertake an "Educational Outreach Assessment." She spent months talking to the Board of Education of both Lee and Collier Counties, followed by principals and individual teachers. She shared the Playhouse vision of having a collaborative artistic experience where the Playhouse could conceivably provide a Wide Range of in-school residencies such as theatrical writing, acting, improv and dance, to dressing an actor up like a specific character from history to help with a social studies class. "The schools reacted very enthusiastically," said Irene Horowitz, who has now been named Director of Educational Outreach for the Playhouse.

The goal is to start with 10 pilot schools as early as Spring, 2007. In a recent letter for the Education Commission of the States, Chairman Mike Huckabee stated, "I know, both from deep personal experience and from the evidence I've seen in schools, that arts education must be a vital part of every child's education. From improving academic and student achievement, to enhancing our nation's overall economic competitiveness, the arts offer many practical benefits. In fact, I would suggest that the future of our economy is based on establishing a creative class and creating a generation of people who can think artistically."

Coury adds, "I am delighted to see the need being recognized at the national level. With all the cuts in arts funding, local schools are expressing the desire to fill out their programming with more arts-related classes and curricula. We are delighted to be able to help fill that need."

For more information, please contact Irene Horowitz, Director of Educational Outreach, at 239-566-8394. www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org

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