The ASCAP Foundation Children Will Listen Program Comes to The Kennedy Center for "Ragtime" Performance
Initiative Aims to Expose Young Audience to Musical Theater
| Source: The ASCAP Foundation
WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - April 21, 2009) - The ASCAP Foundation Children Will Listen
program, which is designed to introduce the American Musical Theater to
youngsters who might otherwise not have the opportunity to experience it,
travels to Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center on April 24th to bring over
100 students from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts to a performance of
"Ragtime" written by Tony Award-winning ASCAP members, lyricist Lynn Ahrens
and composer Stephen Flaherty.
On April 23, the day prior to the performance, Ahrens and Flaherty will
meet with the students at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts to discuss
the show, the creative process and to help the students in connecting
themes and issues to their own lives.
The ASCAP Foundation will provide free transportation to and from The
Kennedy Center, and free orchestra tickets to the students. For many, this
will be their first opportunity to meet with a Broadway lyricist and
composer and then see a full production of a work they have created.
Immediately following the performance, the students will participate in an
interactive discussion of the show with Ahrens and Flaherty and members of
the cast.
Karen Sherry, Executive Director of The ASCAP Foundation, was excited about
bringing the Children Will Listen experience to Washington, D.C. "Every
succeeding generation of creators and audience bring a fresh new
perspective to the American musical and we are proud to be doing our part
to encourage that continuity," she said, adding: "There is nothing more
important to the future of the musical theater than bringing young people
in to experience for themselves the music, singers, dancers, costumes and
staging."
An additional educational activity, provided by The Kennedy Center,
includes the Distance Learning Program in cooperation with the Prince
William Network. This initiative offers arts-based educational programming
free to teachers and students across the country through the Performing
Arts Series. The program features artists and companies who perform at the
Kennedy Center and explores the areas of music, dance, theater, and
literature which then are broadcast live via satellite and the Internet to
schools and communities across the country registered for the Performing
Arts Series programs. To register your school, please visit
http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/pwtv/.
On April 24, at 11:00 a.m. EDT, the Distance Learning Program broadcast
with Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, moderated by ASCAP's Director of
Musical Theater, Michael Kerker, will give students across the country a
behind the scenes view of the new production of "Ragtime" as they explore
the musical partnership between composer and lyricist. Students will also
get a glimpse of the many elements -- including sets, lights, and costumes
-- that make a production come to life and hear some of the well-known
songs from the musical performed by cast members.
The ASCAP Foundation Children Will Listen program was established -- in
honor of ASCAP member, Stephen Sondheim, composer/lyricist of "Sweeny
Todd," "Company" and "A Little Night Music" -- in 2005 to bring the musical
theater experience to young students nationwide. The program was named for
one of the songs from his musical, "Into the Woods."
About The ASCAP Foundation:
Founded in 1975, The ASCAP Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable
organization dedicated to supporting American music creators and
encouraging their development through music education and talent
development programs. Included in these are songwriting workshops, grants,
scholarships, awards, recognition and community outreach programs, and
public service projects for senior composers and lyricists. The ASCAP
Foundation is supported by contributions from ASCAP members and from music
lovers throughout the United States. www.ascapfoundation.org
About The Kennedy Center Education Department
For over 30 years, the Kennedy Center Education Department has provided
quality arts experiences through performances, residencies, workshops,
conferences, career development programs, symposia, and on-line and print
resources. In the past year, the Center's education programs have directly
impacted more than 11 million people across the nation. The mission of
the Education Department is to foster understanding of and participation in
the performing arts through exemplary programs and performances for diverse
populations of all ages that represent the unique cultural life and
heritage of the United States. For more information, please visit
www.kennedy-center.org/education.