Gates County, NC - Serena Ebhardt and David zum Brunnen of EbzB Productions teach students from Gates County Senior High School the tools of an actor.
Gates County Senior High School received a Level I Artist Residency grant from the NC Arts Council. The grant to bring in EbzB Productions, will help students create a drama based on oral histories from Gates County, NC.
EbzB asked students to interview older citizens from Gates County and transcribe the interviews to create a script. The script will be staged in the Old Gates County Courthouse for a public performance on May 12, 2011.
The AP History class and the Drama class have combined for this project. In addition to learning about Theatre Arts, the students are also learning about Gates County History. The students are serving as community builders and consensus builders for Gates County. By interviewing older citizens for the project, students are bridging generation and communication gaps in the county.
Drama Teacher Barbara Best Toti says, "These kids are having experiences and meeting people through this project that they wouldn't have otherwise." Everyone is talking to each other -- and listening.
The students are being asked to listen and record the reflections of older citizens. They are learning about the history, condition, conflicts and beauty of Gates County, North Carolina in an interactive way.
For more information about Gates County, NC, visit: http://www.gatescounty.govoffice2.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={9FA438DA-A6A9-48BA-B015-DBA6C392FF0D}
EbzB Productions is the recipient of the North Carolina Theatre Conference's Constance Welsh Theatre For Youth Award for providing quality entertainment and educational opportunities through theater to North Carolina's youth. EbzB Productions is recognized by the North Carolina Arts Council Touring Artist Directory and in the South Carolina Arts Commission AIE Roster of Approved Artists. Additionally, EbzB Teaching Artists have been trained by The Lincoln Center Institute and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to teach Arts In Education Workshops.
