i Can @ thearc newsletter-Did You Hear That?

by Morgan Clark



Nolvert Garcia ( pictured in the striped shirt) the technical director of THEARC Theater conducts hands on workshops teaching local students the art of sound design in a theater production. The students are a part of a summer long program

called THEART @ THEARC Theater, created to nurture the development of young producers, stage and house managers along with sound and lighting technicians. The kids range in ages 14-21 years old, along with a few talented younger individuals.



Garcia opened his portion of the program by refreshing some and introducing others to the operation of the soundboard. A soundboard allows for full control of all the sound in the theater on one piece of equipment.



"What's this?" Garcia asks his students while pointing to what seems like one of hundreds of knobs on the soundboard. If the student doesn't know, it's okay. Garcia isn't afraid to let the students push buttons, turn knobs, try out the equipment and figure it out for themselves. And when they do there are plenty of high fives to go around.


WHAT IS THEARC?

Ten non profit partners at THEARC have come together under one roof to help children.
Since its opening in 2005, Town Hall Education, Arts and Recreation Campus-THEARC- has become a national prototype combining social, cultural and health services. It is a $27 million 110,000 square foot center on 16.5 acres of land in Southeast Washington, DC. THEARC provides a daily safe haven for the children it serves, with a wide range of arts, educational, recreational, health programs and services. In addition there is a 365-seat theatre (the only theatre east of the Anacostia River) a regulation size gymnasium, computer lab, art gallery, state-of-the-art music and dance studios.



WHY IS THEARC NEEDED?


Shockingly, the U.S. Census Bureau 2005 American Community Survey shows that our nation’s capital has the highest rate of childhood poverty of any jurisdiction in the United States. Three out of ten children in Washington, DC live at or below the poverty line—.



Will you contribute to help each charity fulfill their missions? Just click on the donate button! For more information about THEARC please go to our website http://www.thearcdc.org/ or you may call 1-202-4-THEARC (1-202-484-3272).

Selected for the 2008-2009 Catalogue for Philanthropy
“One of the best small charities in the greater Washington region”

• LIVING HISTORY at THEARC FREDERICK DOUGLASS PROGRAM

Frederick Douglass the internationally acclaimed abolitionist, orator and statesman, made his home in Washington, DC's Ward 8 for nearly 20 years. As a prolific writer, his body of work remains available today. Born into slavery February of 1818 on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, his future was as bleak as any slave before him as he suffered great pain and indignity. But Frederick Douglass found a way out and led the way for others. As a child, he learned to read and discovered the power of the written and spoken word. As a young adult, after escaping slavery, he used that power to fight for justice and equal opportunity.

ASK FREDERICK DOUGLASS A QUESTION!

To honor his legacy, a life-like animation, set in an exact replica of Douglass' study in his Anacostia home was created for THEARC and is available to the community. Interactive performances are also possible where the animation will answer questions from the audience! More than two hours of Douglass' famous speeches are recorded in varying lengths and complexity and programmed with coordinated body movements. The end result is dramatic and awe inspiring!

MAKE THIS A MEMORABLE TREAT FOR YOUR STUDENTS!

The cost for a performance is based on the number and length of speeches given plus, if applicable, the question and answer period. School groups will receive a Study Guide/Activity packet per child according to grade level at each performance.

THEARC THEATRE

is a true community 365 seat theatre (the only theatre east of the Anacostia River) that was created to fill a performing arts void to enrich the lives of the residents. With the belief that the arts are the foundation of community development, THEARC Theatre pledges to be an outstanding vehicle for community playwrights, producers, directors, technicians, designers, actors, dancers, and musicians. THEARC Theatre has the capability to show full screen movies so this intimate venue is perfect for most theatrical performances and organizational meetings.

If you would like to help THEARC Theatre fulfill their mission just click on the donate button! For more information about THEARC please go to our website http://www.thearcdc.org/ or you may call 1-202-4-THEARC (1-202-484-3272).

Selected for the 2008-2009 Catalogue for Philanthropy
“One of the best small charities in the greater Washington region”

Spring brings exciting programs & events to THEARC

PLAYWRIGHTS SHOWCASE

Arena Stage's Student Playwrights Project is a comprehensive program for students, teachers, community members and artists to explore playwriting and performance. On Monday, April 21st and Tuesday, April 22nd from 7:00pm-8:45pm, twelve of the pieces from the Playwrights Project will be performed in THEARC Theatre. Six ten-minute pieces will be performed each night by middle and high school students from the District, Maryland and Virginia. This event is free and open to the public; no tickets are required.

For more information on THEARC and the nine non profit partners; please click on the link in the upper right hand corner or you may call 1-202-4-THEARC (1-202-484-3272).

THEARC

1901 Mississippi Avenue SE

Washington, DC 20020

Contact us: info@thearcdc.org