IN SCHOOL PROGRAMS & STUDENT MATINEES represent an opportunity for HFI to enhance learning in Maryland schools by linking required curriculum to a Hippodrome show. HFI staff work directly with teachers with in school instruction and then students, who might otherwise not have the chance, come to the Hippodrome for a show. The HFI Board of Trustees is committed to using touring shows as a tool to assist with learning—and local teachers have been thrilled with the results. Past collaborations with local schools have been developed using Cinderella, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Hairspray, Little Women, Dreamgirls, Twelve Angry Men, West Side Story and more—always tying curriculum to the story line of the show. HFI staff works with school systems to plan and maximize understanding and appreciation of existing state curriculum.
Special Student Only Matinee of Cinderella
No Evil Step-Mothers Invited
On Thursday, November 3, the Hippodrome Foundation welcomed over 2,000 students to the Hippodrome Theatre for a special student only matinee of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. The students were elementary, middle and high school students from HFI partner schools throughout Baltimore City and Baltimore & Carroll County.
Olive Waxter, Executive Director of the Hippodrome Foundation, says, “A student matinee is filled with energy and excitement – even the actors on stage can feel the theater come alive. When kids come see a production they are captivated by the mystery and wonder of live theater. When we learned Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella would be coming to Baltimore for the first time, we knew we had to find a way to make it part of HFI’s outreach programming.”
Every season HFI works to find new ways to introduce Maryland students to the arts and all the assets of the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center. More than 350 students attending the Cinderella matinee participated in HFI’s annual student book program, “Bringing Tales to Life.” The program links a touring Broadway show, such as Cinderella, with mandatory state curriculum and allows teachers to use Broadway as a tool to enhance learning. The November performance will kick off HFI’s four month program which will include on-site school workshops and the publication of a book written and illustrated by the students. An exciting addition to this year’s program is the partnership between Lansdowne High School and Riverview Elementary School. The high school students will be writing a class tale and will then read their stories to Riverview Elementary School’s second grade students.
