User:Pasta sauce
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[edit] "I hear you call my name..."
"and it feels like... home"-Madonna, "Like a Prayer"
Sometimes it feels like homework
[edit] Techno-Pimps
This is why I'm hot
[edit] This is my HUGE research paper
[edit] This is my letter
To whom it may concern,
I write to you in hopes that some action will be taken to promote the use of theater as an educational tool in our schools. Throughout the past decade, there have been so many different plays that have been written and produced and enjoyed by many; however, it is feared that many American youth do not appreciate one of humanity’s most powerful art forms. Of recent, many mainstream shows have tackled important social issues such as racism, AIDS awareness, homophobia, and bullying. Most of the younger audience in these shows does not realize the seriousness of these situations---the lessons that can be learned from Broadway are very similar if not identical to those that need to be learned in order to be successful in life.
One particular show that addresses issues that many adolescents face on a daily basis is the 2002 Broadway hit and 2007 movie counterpart Hairspray. At first glance, the show is about a girl who wishes to follow her dreams of being on an American-Bandstand type television show. As the story progresses, it is apparent that the main message of the show is not one of the popular culture of the 1960’s---big hair and funky dancing---but of acceptance and self-empowerment. Seeing a heroine that does not fit the parameters of physical beauty established by many magazines encourage positive change in her community is inspirational. Her actions encourage all types of people to work for a peaceful, inclusive, positive community that is accepting of all types of people.
Another way that theater can be a useful teaching tool for awareness is exemplified through the subject matter explored in the popular musical Rent. Much of the content is adult-oriented, and so this particular play would be used for older students; however, the idea behind learning a lesson from a modern musical is the same. Rent addresses AIDS awareness, homophobia, and drug use. Showing and/or studying such a show would allow for dialogue in a health class for safe sex practices, questions concerning the LGBT community, and to discuss the affects of drug use both physically and socially.
Certainly Rent and Hairspray are not the only two musicals with themes that are relevant to life lessons, but they are strong examples of using theater to explore social issues. Students could perform a play or scene, study a script, or watch and analyze a performance in order to digest the information and thematic elements of such shows.
What can you at the Department of Education do to help this cause? Allocate funding for and advocate participation in a program of creating awareness through theater. Modern plays are a great way to explore modern issues of all types: the old adage of “art imitating life†applies here. Your advocacy will inspire a new generation of students to think about the issues of their generation in a new way, one that is more closely related to what they know in life. Students who are more aware of the issues behind these themes are more apt to work at finding solutions that appease the majority of people. Seeing issues from the eyes of those affected is one of the strongest ways of learning, and theater allows for that. Please consider the power that the arts of now have to create awareness of the issues of now---it could solve so many problems.
Thank you for your time and attention
[edit] Some insight on myself as a writer
[edit] An assignment concerning the infamous "Introduction Paper"
Am I doing this right? It's the paper assignment for September 20
Thinking of this paper…there are a couple of ways this assignment could be done. For the paper about me, I think that ‘The Self in Contradiction†is a pretty safe choice judging by my author’s introduction. She used a definition of music as it is, then a definition of what music means to me---hence defining me in a way that is not exactly the dictionary definition.
In terms of the paper I have to author, I think that “The Contexts that Make Me†is the safest option, based on the fact that it is based off of Wikiposts and blog entries. I could define my subject through her work, how she is similar and different to her colleagues, and how that affects who she is today. Well, at least who I understand her to be.
Pasta sauce 16:18, 20 September 2007 (EDT)
[edit] The Beat of His Life
When people think of music, the first thing that usually comes to mind is dancing and singing along to the beat or a time to express and enjoy themselves. For TJ, music has simply been his therapy for life. He is one out of many whom has turned to music as an escape to get through obstacles. At such a young age, TJ had experienced many issues with family, school, and expressing himself. Not wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps, feeling nervous about meeting new people, and then a divorce between his parents, TJ had many emotions built up inside him. As a cure to his problems, music was able to allow TJ to focus on what he really needed to-himself.
TJ had always enjoyed listening to music. He finally found his passion for music during his freshman year in high school. Becoming a part of the Districts Chorus with about 200 people was a great experience for him. Being able to discuss music and be a part of such a large group, TJ found some of his closest friends. Playing in the band at Symphony Hall has also created a “sacred moment†for TJ. Even though his love for music was not accepted by his father, TJ continued to embrace himself in music and use it as a guide through life.
The soothing lyrics of John Mayer’s Gravity one of the many songs that TJ turned to for support. “It’s a relaxed song that can help me get through challenges, it also helped me get through a relationship.†Listening to songs he could relate to helped him understand that he was not alone and could achieve anything he desired. To bring his spirits up, TJ listened to songs such as Broadway’s Little Shop of Horror and Justin Timberlake’s Sexy Back. The elements of these songs could take TJ’s attitude to another level. With music having such an emotional impact on TJ, he also learned how to better himself as a person.
Not only using music to deal with his emotions, TJ also improved his personal characteristics. He believes that music has been a guide to make him more organized, responsible, and disciplined. Without music, TJ believes that he would have never accomplished as much as he did. It’s not just the importance of the lyrics in songs that have kept TJ in great posture, it’s the passion. His powerful passion for music has let TJ dream of how far he can go in life. It has kept TJ focused in music and dedicated to his work with music and general tasks.
TJ has been able to relate to music in every aspect of life. Recognizing his love for the arts and continuing to follow through with music, has made life a little easier to deal with. Listening to genres of music, from opera to rap, has been able to shape him into such a well grounded person. Music has been his life-music keeps him breathing.
DefiniteMisses07 16:25, 25 September 2007 (EDT)
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