National Musical Theatre Week Campaign

Allow me to indulge myself as I promote my newest cause: the National Musical Theatre Week Campaign.

Sure, we could do this in name only. However, my goal is to have a National Musical Theatre Week officially proclaimed by the U.S. Congress and signed into reality by President Obama.

I could go into how cool it is to wear the awesome costumes, the zany wigs, the pounds of make-up, or sing your heart out to thunderous applause. Then there's the fun and frivolity of being in a cast -- the backstage dramas, the camaraderie of going out after the shows, or the bittersweet yet wild cast parties. Instead, I will use logic to support my cause because the bureaucrats probably will not buy my testimony: "Because musical theatre is my love and my life, and it's awesomely fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The arts are systematically being stripped from school curriculum, and the notion of being on stage is seen as frivolous. The truth about musical theatre (or straight theatre, or dance, or opera, but I'm here to promote Musical Theatre) could not be further from the truth.

To quote my newest favorite show, "Pushing Daisies" (starring Broadway stars Kristin Chenowith, Ellen Greene, and Swoozie Kurtz), the facts are these:

• Musical Theatre can be the perfect blend of art and science, human and technology.
• Music is the mathematics of sound, using intervals, pitch, and rhythm to convey emotion. Also, research proves that music engages activity in the entire brain, something that science, math, reading, and language alone cannot do.
• Theatre is a means of expression, allowing kids to channel emotions through a constructive process rather than succumbing to destructive "coping" means such as alcohol, drugs, or gangs.
• Working on a show teaches basic social skills as well as working as a team to achieve a goal. Everyone matters.
• Science and math are more viable to students in the real world of the theatre of illusion. Try building a safe, effective set without knowledge of physics, algebra, and geometry. Make costumes without understanding scale, proportions, and fractions.
• Lighting design and execution rely on a solid background in electrical wiring and an artistic eye for mood and atmosphere.
• Sound Engineering involves the science of acoustics, which includes physics and sound dynamics.
• Stage Managers and Production Managers must have leadership skills, the ability to work with department heads, follow a schedule, resolve problems quickly and efficiently, and get the job (the show) done.
• The world of theatre in New York is a $6 BILLION per year industry. The theatre industry in Chicago, Washington, DC, Miami, Houston, San Francisco, and other big cities also contribute to the business of theatre creating jobs not only for stage performers, designers, and technicians, but also the arts organizations who employ staff and teachers. Then there's the "trickle down" effect of local teachers who operate schools for acting, voice, dance, and music lessons.
• Musical Theatre, produced by a local company or brought in by a traveling band of national tour thespians, promotes tourism, boosting the local economy of local business owners and earning tax dollars at hotels, restaurants, and gas stations.
• And it's awesomely fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.... oops... sorry...

Join the cause: http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Musical-Theatre-Week-Campaign/213118461958

Spread the word!

trish