Come What May

Voice For Change 
Art Works!
By Paul Barford

Known as the creative capital, Providence and its neighbors offer a variety of performance venues. We have the Tony Award winning repertory theatre, on Washington Street, and many performance spaces housed in architectural masterpieces. It's no wonder the #savetheNEA has made it's controversy in the news.

Over the past few weeks many members of the Rhode Island cultural community have expressed concern over rumors or reports that the Trump Admin istration plans to either cut substantially or eliminate entirely the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities
 
While no actual proposals have been presented to Congress, many of the state's arts and humanities communities have had conversations to highlight the importance of this issue.

During a conference held at RISD on March 17th, a group of people united to support imagination and funding for the arts movement. Among them was our very own Senator Jack Reed. Many of the attendees of the conference brought up valuable points. One that really stood out was value; what do these students learn and just how it is important? The Center for Dynamic learning wishes to continue in it's dream to support the arts.
 
Last month the Educational Theatre Association shared a series of facts via #TheatreInOurSchools, that showed how the impact of theatre and it's related subjects affect our youth, the audiences that engage in them, and so much more.
 
Our staff has this to say:

It's the stories you read, the colors you see, the history in museums, what we see and what we learn. It is people who record history in a memorable way. It explains who we are, what we think, what we feel. It's building and architecture. It's technology! The computers or devices you are using to read this. Every aspect of our world is art! It is the creative mind. Those teachers who share their knowledge. It is the story that grabs the attention and makes people remember. How can we take that away? How can you take away the human experience? - Miss Nora Music Director 
 
Theatre is a great outlet for those with mental health as well. If you take it away you are taking away their freedom to express themselves. Schools such as Meeting Street strive on the programs we bring. It's a way to connect and make friends. For example: Ava Johnson, grade 6, is one of our students. She is non verbal and on the days she doesn't have drama she will get upset. It's amazing  to see the power that is given to her to express herself- that even from a chair she can find her voice to perform. - Miss Jen Program Manager STEAMM Exploration
 
It accounts for less than 10% of the government income. The savings would only amount to .00375%. It is ridiculous to cut something that minuscule when the big picture of our budget says it won't have an effect except to eliminate our grant for the arts. The grants are extremely valuable for our culture, in all states. Programs like this just mean so much!
As the NEA says: Art works on individuals and communities to change, confront challenge, and inspire us; to allow us to imagine and aspire something more.  If we cut it, well then, what are we fighting for?- Mr. Jeff Program Manager STEAMM Inquiry 
 
As you can see, art is not just acknowledging the beauty of things, but also recognizing and accepting them as anything we may see, touch, and feel.
Currently, 40 percent of NEA-supported activities take place in high-poverty neighborhoods, with 36 percent of grants helping under served populations, including programs for veterans and people with disabilities. Why then is there the ongoing fight to eliminate it? Why do we question it's future? Is it that people don't see the value in art?
 
The answer may be as simple as this, instead of entirely cutting off funding for such a useful program perhaps the federal government could look into reevaluating the budget and changing the spending policies of the agency. Instead of killing the NEA, perhaps we should look at what it does for the country. Though each art form may be different it touches the emotions and the soul within- reminding us who we are and what we share


#Highlights from the Field
Art and Science meet in sentiment

April vacation is a great time to explore! From our mechatronics programs, focusing on leadership development, empowerment and career opportunities, across the sky to Never Bored in Neverland, camp was definitely something to get excited for!

Here at CDL, our College Crusade teens began by building 3 ground racing Go-Karts, 1 Solar electric drag racer and 2 Dunne Buggies. This class has averaged 28 students daily. Students learned advanced mechanics, engineering technology, physics and tool-room machine operation. There was much excitement and class had been an absolute blast.

It was a great opportunity for students to try their hand at engineering. One student, Oscarina Pepen, stayed after class almost every day, said she would love the chance to apply this knowledge in a field of  clinical psychology. She had never done a program like this and she thought it was great to practice her unlikely skills.

In our T urn up RI Youth Summit at Roger Williams University, we volunteered to teach Solar Power Through Drones. Students assembled a solar charging system and 3 solar powered drones, learned to fly them and designed a series of new style drones that will help EMT's, Search and Rescue teams, and Security of properties, etc. 

Among the drones, three were awarded to teens with the best designs. They were nothing short of impressive! This program and the creativity displayed by the youth was simply  intoxicating.
 
At Wesley United Methodist Church, we touched back on the roots of childhood, with a talk-show themed production that celebrated Peter Pan. Students met for a week immersed in morning activities and workshops dedicated to theatre skills and afternoons of creation and exploration that culminated a show of our campers very own: complete with set, costumes, and a script written especially by them.

The talk show guests Tiger Lily, Peter, Tinkerbell, and Wendy joined their host, Bambi, on stage in Disney After Dark as the students reenacted the answers of how they met, how Tink found the Darlings, and what happened to Neverland!

What we loved even more, was that we got quite a few newbies all of who got a chance to shine their light for their first ever productions! Shout out to: Amaris Martinez, age 11, who played Tinkerbell, Sonia Gracer, 13, who played Peter 1, Deven Rincon, 10, Peter 2,  and Santiago Reyes, 9, who played Captain Hook.

Our youth have come so far in just a few short days.These friendships are everlasting and it's great to incorporate the students in a show across schools and districts. They have so many ideas to share and they get a chance to learn about each other and the depths of our Full Scale Productions. With all the energy they bring to the room it's no wonder we were full STEAMM ahead all week. A special thank you to all those who helped make our camps a success! None of this would be possible without you!

#Show Your Stuff
Cannot be reached 
When this young woman, Ayanna Jones, a student from the MET, first entered the Extended Day class, she was so shy she was practically mute. Throughout the class, she was often still very reserved and required quite a bit of encouragement to take a risk and participate actively; but when she did, it always paid off! She had great instincts with her monologue, and was so quick on her feet in improv that the instructor was blown away!

Since the class size has reduced, due to the completion of the Intro class, we have taken the opportunity to focus more on improvisation and movement, and Ayanna has truly come out of her shell and begun to shine! Her quick wit and creative mind make her a fantastic improv actor; she is able to take scenes to interesting places, and help scenes that don't seem to be going anywhere to find direction.

A few weeks ago, she evoked spontaneous applause from the instructor as she took a phone argument scene between a parent and child and ended it with "The number you have reached..."

It has been an absolute joy to see such a change in this student and to see her inner star shine through!
- Miss Kelly

#showyourstuff #letitshine #improvmaster

Cheers for a frog, Ribbit! Ribbit!  
This ray of sunshine, hopped right into my heart this past semester. Pictured is Karyss Williams, a sprout, enrolled in our Meeting Street Full Scale Production program.
 
When we first announced the cast list she was absolutely devastated to be cast as the frog! "They are ugly and slimy!" she said. After many long conversations and suggestions on how to play her character, who knew she would take it and run with it. 

During our early rehearsals she was upset because any frog she had seen was gross. We took this as a learning opportunity to explore creativity, development, and what it means to form a character. We explained that she didn't have to be "ugly" at all and I recalled some well known frogs in film. Her face lit up at the possibilities and she opted for a look similar to that of Cha Cha from the fairy tale story of Thumbelina, written by Hans Christian Andersen.

As the weeks continued, Karyss embraced what it meant to get into character- learning her lines, loving her song "It's a gift", and adding in a croak to make her more believable. She came in one day with a costume all ready to go! She even quoted Princess Tiana, teaching others that: "It's not slime, it's mucus!"
 
After the show Karyss even donated her costume to CDL, to be used in later productions. "I want others to be able to enjoy it as well", she said handing it over with a smile!

To see a student rise up from the fall is AMAZING! I have no doubts Karyss will continue to bring out the best in herself and in others. She has a personality that is absolutely infectious and I am looking forward to our next session in the fall. - Miss Mary

#failforward #starsinthemaking #showyourstuff 

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Who's who at CDL!? 

Meet Nagini, the Ball Python!  
 
This is Nagini, the love of the office critters. Unlike the viper from the beloved Harry Potter series however, Nagini is inquisitive, affectionate, and a whiz with computers and phones. At 3.5 months he is 27 inches long. He can often be found with our very own, Christine Pavao, working on inventory and the day to to day operations or scoping the length of her glasses.   

Nagini is a ball python.
The name "ball python" refers to the animal's tendency to curl into a ball when stressed or frightened. They are also called "royal pythons"as rulers native to African tradition, would sometimes wear them as jewelry.

Typical to the ball python, Nagini is dark brown with gold  and dorsal blotches.
He is the smallest of the African pythons, a non-venomous constrictor, and very docile in nature. He enjoys kisses, sitting under his hot lamp, twisting into a pretzel, and occasionally swallowing a mouse.

He loves the youth who come to visit him here at CDL and we wouldn't have it any other way!  #sneakysnake #steammeducation
 
We Heard it's your birthday!  
                       

                             To Our Youth and Staff with May Birthdays:
Jalecsia Lopez                                    May 4th
Alexia Boudjouk                                May 5th
Katelyn Santilli                                   May 5th
Clara Smith                                         May 9th
Olivia Tavares                                     May 10th
Janiah Polanco                                   May 13th
Karyss Williams                                 May 13th
Liam Connell                                      May 18th
Camila Guzman                                 May 19th
Taylor Marsh                                      May 20th               
Katherine Yang                                  May 20th
Nathan Cunningham                        May 22nd
"Otey" Ward IV                                 May 22nd
Derek Cordova                                 May 25th
Celia Avelar                                        May 27th
 Miss Meg Kane                                May 29th                     
#FamousHappenings
Hey Families, Did you Know?
  • On May 30th, 1868 Memorial day was observed for the first time
  • May 9th, 1873 Howard Carter, the archaeologist who discovered King Tut's tomb, was born
  • May 4th, 1904 Construction of the Panama Canal began
  • May 10th, 1908 Mother's day was observed for the first time
  • May 2nd, 1933 First sighting of Nessie, the Loch Ness monster, reported
  • May 11th, 1927 The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is founded
  • May 15th, 1928 Mickey and Minnie first appear
  • May 4th, 1929 Audrey Hepburn, recognized as a film and fashion icon, was born
  • May 31st, 1930 Clint Eastwood, an American actor, filmmaker, musician, and political figure was born
  • May 21st, 1932 Amelia Earhart is the first women to make a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean
  • May 27th, 1939 Batman first appears in D.C. comics
  • May 8th, 1941 Paramont Pictures was formed
  • May 14th, 1944 George Lucas, American filmmaker and entrepreneur
  • May 25th, 1944 Frank Oz birthday
  • May 2nd, 1972 Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's birthday  
  • May 9th National Teacher Day, in collaboration with Teacher Appreciation Week
SAVE THE DATE!   


SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!
#TheNightIsYoung #YoungLeadersCircle

Cheers for our partners at United Way


All the best to you, your family, and your organization,

Sincerely,
The Staff @ CDL
Center For Dynamic Learning | http://www.cdlri.org | 401-461-1813