The host teachers were elated and said that they had never seen their students open up so honestly to one another before. "There just hasn't been the venue for that kind of openness, empathy, and critical thought," said teacher, Dawn Streets. One of the host teachers, Elizabeth Carriel, said that she "has no doubts that these kids will always remember this experience."
EbZb Productions taught 8th grade students to conduct oral histories and then to craft the stories they gathered into a play. The kids and host teachers wanted to focus on the topic of "bullying." During their interviews, they gathered stories about homosexuals in the military, domestic violence, and the Civil Rights Movement (one of their African American teachers shared a story about going to a restaurant that refused to serve him b/c of his skin color).
The kids were so into it! They also each selected a pop cultural slide that resonated with them around the topic of "standing up for one's self, for others, and for what's right." All of the slides were compiled into a slide show that ran as a back drop/set for the performance.
The teachers were elated and said that they had never seen their students open up so honestly to one another before. One of the host teachers, Elizabeth Carriel, said that she "has no doubts that these kids will always remember this experience."
I just had to share with you the inspiration I felt. Not all of you are able to attend every event that we host, but you should be able to revel in and to know about the valuable gifts we contribute here. Like these inspiring 8th graders, we give our community hope and a reason to stand.
-Molly Matlock, Executive Director, Chatham County Arts Council
