War Bonds show Seeks to Connect with Local Families 

https://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/story/news/2019/07/10/war-bonds-show-seeks-connect-local-families/1682396001/

Serena Ebhardt and David zum Brunnen are performers for the War Bonds – The Songs and Letters of World War II show coming to Zanesville on Oct. 27, as part of the Zanesville Concert Association’s 81st season. For ticket information, visit www.zanesvilleconcertassocation.com. (Photo: Submitted)

ZANESVILLE - The 81st season of the Zanesville Concert Association begins with War Bonds – The Songs & Letters of World War II featuring a five-piece band along with performers David zum Brunnen & Serena Ebhardt, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at Secret Auditorium.

“With the 75th anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy just last month, it seems appropriate to pay tribute to World War II veterans as part of our season,” said Jim McLaughlin, booking agent for the Zanesville Concert Association. 

War Bonds explores the dark side of war and the dynamic association with the lighthearted popular tunes of the time. Songs of the period lift the mood, even as the performers describe the atrocities of war. The family show allows the Greatest Generation to celebrate, while the next great generation contemplates. “We’re known for our authenticity in our work,” zum Brunnen, said. “The moments with the local stories are probably some of the most authentic,” as letters and stories from community members are being sought for the show. 

According to the Friends of the National World War II Memorial, recognition of the 75th anniversary of World War II began in 2016 and runs through 2020, the length of the event that took place from 1941 through 1945. The performance will celebrate the triumph of the human spirit during that incredibly challenging time.

“It’s remarkable to look back and see now some of the circumstances that evolved into conflict then starting to mirror what we’re seeing hints of now,” explained zum Brunnen. “And, to see how the call was answered to ultimately serve as one voice, even though there were divisions within our country then as well,” pausing he added, “The lessons abound for us all.”

In fact, the War Bonds show will be presented to nearly 1,000 fourth-grade students on the Monday following the show as the Zanesville Concert Association’s annual children’s concert. EbzB Productions, producer for the show, has educator resources for the show on its website  (www.ebzb.org/war-bonds-the-songs-and/index.html). Families are encouraged to review the materials to spur discussion with their children and grandchildren. “Whether you are an educator or a parent, we encourage you to engage your children in this important history lesson through the performing arts,” McLaughlin said. “Since children are admitted free, we hope families will attend to experience the arts at this multi-media show.”

“Over the years it’s been intriguing to see how youth immediately relate to the performance,” zum Brunnen said. “Many of the young audience members have relatives – some very close relatives in the immediate family household serving overseas.”

The stories told in the show are similar to the experiences of military families today. “Those from older generations will be heartened to know the young audiences really enjoy the music,” zum Brunnen added. “And, students are surprised to hear the music they listen to today has its roots in the music of the 1930s and 1940s.”

EbzB Productions is seeking local letters that were sent to, or from, family members during World War II for inclusion in the Oct. 27 and 28 performances. There are no preferred types of letters being sought, zum Brunnen stressed. “The simplicity and genuine nature in which the thoughts and feelings are expressed can be deeply meaningful and enlightening into what was going on at that time. The level of sacrifice then is humbling to reflect upon.”

Including local veterans’ experiences, or those of their relatives on the home front, enhances the performance. “The connection becomes a little deeper and closer to home when there’s a memory or a note from someone in your own community,” zum Brunnen said. “The stories we tell are like those who are experiencing very much the same things that those who are serving in our military have experienced today,” he explained.

Those who have letters that were sent to or from family members during World War II, and who are willing to share them, are encouraged to contact Jim McLaughlin at j.l.mclaughlin@att.net or Ann Combs at the Muskingum County Senior Center at 740.454.9761 or via email at amcombs@muskingumcounty.org. You may also email zanesvilleconcert@gmail.com.

Information and photo submitted by the Zanesville Concert Association.

Curriculum Come To Life in Two Chatham County Elementary Schools

https://www.chathamartscouncil.org/artists-in-schools-ebzbproductions/

Artists-in-Schools: Curriculum Come to Life in Two Chatham County Elementary Schools

History, math, science – sometimes everyday curriculum can be difficult to grasp for elementary school students. The concept seems unfamiliar or too far removed from everyday life to grasp. But when a student becomes an integral part of dissecting and reconstructing it in a different way, the ability to connect with curriculum concepts is more within reach. This is the idea behind two recent Chatham Arts Council Artists-in-Schools theater residencies with EbzB Productions, founded by Serena Ebhardt and David zum Brunnen. The residencies took place at Pittsboro Elementary School and Bonlee School, and proved to be successful tools in bringing history, math, science, language, and dramatic arts curriculum to life.

“This program provides a great way to reach kids who need other ways to learn – they need movement,” said Serena Ebhardt, the “Eb” in EbzB. “Some kids need to sing it, move it, feel it. Dramatic arts are the best way to get lessons to these students, who are less responsive in a traditional classroom.”

Photo Credit: April Starling

At Pittsboro Elementary School, third-grade students interviewed local business owners to create an original production on the history of economics in Pittsboro and Chatham County. These included Mike Dasher, Jennifer Gordiano, Grim Hobbs, Brad Johnson, Greg Lewis, Nina Lloyd, Ashley and Justin Palmer, Pam Smith, and Eric Williams.

Photo Credit: Heather Jester

EbzB makes an effort to work cross-generationally with interviews, helping bridge the gap in the community. The interviews created an oral history and allowed the young students to make a current connection between the local businesses they know and the economics behind them. With the help of EbzB and their teachers, students transcribed their interviews and worked together to create an educational performance called “People Make the World Go-Round,” sharing with an audience of peers and parents all they’d learned about supply, demand, wants, and needs throughout the three-months.

“Third grade is a year that has a lot of focus on tests, tests, tests,” explained Dara Platon, a participating third- grade teacher at Pittsboro Elementary School. “This program offered students a way to be creative, let loose, be interactive – but still get the history, language arts, and economics curriculum they needed to master.”

Photo Credit: April Starling

Photo Credit: Gina Harrison

In addition to diving into the specific curriculum at both schools, EbzB conducted intensive workshops for weeks with the students to ensure they learned the basics of performance art. Students went through warm-up exercises from meditation, to physical and vocal warm-ups. Some students commented that their favorite part of the preparation was practicing how to avoid being distracted. As students held their position, focusing on a chosen spot in the room, Serena or David would slowly weave in and out through the students, working hard to distract them with funny faces or gestures. But the students had been taught very well how to recover from a distraction by breathing deeply and re-setting their focal point. This preparation was essential during their performances in front of parents, siblings, teachers and other students–and it can transfer to focus in other areas.

Photo Credit: April Starling

Bonlee School’s residency was with fifth graders and focused on technology. Through their interviews with Pittsboro Mayor Cindy Perry and Siler City Mayor John Grimes and the culminating performance, students worked to absorb information relative to their curriculum in a real and meaningful way. “Not only that,” Serena expressed, “but the process plants seeds through dramatic arts that grow over time.” Anyone watching their culminating performance, titled “Use Technology for Good – It’s Your Choice” could see their enthusiasm for the content, and for dramatic performance.

Photo Credit: Nancy Hardin

“The EbzB Production residency was student and community-driven,” said two participating teachers, Taylor Mushrush and Stacie Perry. “Students enjoyed conducting interviews with community members and extending their learning beyond the classroom setting, while practicing listening, speaking, and writing skills. It was a great experience.”

Photo Credit: Nancy Hardin

Photo Credit: Nancy Hardin

The Chatham Arts Council is able to bring professional artists into Chatham County schools because of our partners: Chatham County Schools, Chatham County, the North Carolina Arts Council, and a growing crew of businesses and individuals. It’s a collaboration that is incredibly worthwhile, exposing students to artistic forms that they may not otherwise encounter. For many, the arts are an incredible outlet where children can flourish and feel successful.

A HUGE thank you to our sponsors for powering this initiative in these two schools. The EbzB theater residency at Pittsboro Elementary School was powered by The Kindred Gallery at the Rosemary House B&B. The residency at Bonlee School was powered by Briar Chapel Friends and Neighbors.

Photo Credit: Gina Harrison

We’re hoping to expand the AIS initiative to Chatham Charter School, Willow Oak Montessori, and Woods Charter School in 2020 to reach every public elementary school in Chatham County. Can you help us? We hope so! If you’re intrigued, click here.

War Bonds. Why We Do It.

June 17, 2019

Thank You Very Much

Dear EBZB Productions:

It is Monday morning, and I'm still thinking about the “War Bonds” play we saw Saturday night at the Pal Theater. It was great, and I have a number of areas of thanks I want to cover with you.

First, thank you for the entertainment you provided. Cheryl and I have become set in a routine that usually involves a TV screen and some sort of snack on Saturday nights. You provided us with an opportunity to get out of the house and do something productive with our minds and bodies. It was refreshing.

Second, thank you for the content of the play. Those who fought in WWII are often referred to as “the greatest generation", and it is a title that they rightly earned. To think that millions of men and women put down their plows and picked up their arms to defend this country after not one, but three nations declared war with us is amazing. I do not feel we can muster that kind of patriotism among our draftable youth today. The sacrifices the men and women made abroad and at home should be presented to this modern generation.

Third, thank you for showing the good, and the bad. I am thankful that although treated as second-class citizens, the African-Americans and the Asian-Americans still picked up arms in defense of this country. Thank you for reminding us that though they fought and died bravely on foreign soils, they didn't have the "right” to enter a restaurant or sit where they wanted here in the country they were defending. I cannot imagine fighting for a country that had my family locked up in an internment camp like criminals as the Asian-American soldiers did. Thankfully, they were willing to put disagreements aside and work together for a worthy cause. We do not see that kind of patriotism today, do we?

Fourth, thank you for giving Cheryl and me a chance to spend quality time with the Albrittons. A.B. is the 98 year-young WWII vet that attended the play. I believe you met him and his wife Marjorie. They rode with us to and from the play. After the play, they double-dated with us as we stopped for DQ Blizzards at a local fast-food. There is a 14-year gap between A.B.'s age and his wife's. There's a 9-year age gap between Cheryl and me. So, as we sat enjoying our treats and discussing the play; we represented four decades that the war touched. One lived and fought through it; one grew up during the time of rationing and separation, and two were offspring of WWII vets.

A.B., Marjorie, Cheryl, and I had a great time discussing the play and the events of the time period the play covered. A.B. is the quiet one. He sits and listens. Marjorie, a former college professor, is the outspoken one. They were both beaming because you took them back in time to a place where happy memories dwell. I heard A.B. speak more in the 45 minutes we sat in that restaurant than I guess I've ever heard him speak in the twenty years I've known him. We laughed, shared, and enjoyed the company, and we have you to thank for that.

Fifth, thank you for coming to Vidalia. Your play was educational, entertaining, thought provoking, enjoyable, and worth much more than the asking price. I know if you'd performed in a larger city like Savannah, you would have had hundreds of people enjoying your performance. Thank you for giving us a chance to see something we (Cheryl and me – "homebodies") would probably have never seen if you only presented in large cities.

On a side note - I hope you were able to obtain some Vidalia onions before you left. Most of the onions you'll find in local grocery stores this time of year are home-grown. If you bought some, and the label has "Stanley Farms”, “M&T Farms", "Herndon Farms”, “Robison Farms", "McLain Farms", or "Durrence Farms"; you bought some produced in this area. (In case the label was none of these, you still may have bought local onions because new farms are “springing up” all the time.) After Cheryl and I dropped the Albrittons off and arrived home, we made ourselves a couple of tomato sandwiches with thick slices of Vidalia onion on them.

Sixth, thank you for the impact you had on our lives. I found myself singing “White Cliffs of Dover” while showering this morning. (Wonder where that came from?) The play left impressions on us. It moved us, motivated us, and drew us into the presentation. I was sitting next to Cheryl when Ms Serena stopped singing “White Christmas" and began reciting the woman's letter to her wounded husband. It was touching. Cheryl was deeply touched with the reality of war when Mr David stated that letter was returned because the husband died from his injuries. She teared up. That scene touched us both. Thank you for putting your "heart” into your performance. It meant so much to us.

Lastly, thank you for the gift of the DVD. I know you must put food on the table and a roof over your heads. There are others in your organization that rely on your revenue. You made a sacrifice for us by giving one of your products to us. That means a lot to us. We got so much from your performance Saturday night just by being there. Then you gave us more by engaging in after-play conversation with us. Finally you topped it off by giving us something to remember our new friends forever. Thank you for this - and all the things mentioned above.

You have new fans, and I shall keep an eye on your website looking for future events that you will bring to cities in our area. I know Cheryl and I would both love to see more of your performances. In the meanwhile, keep doing what you're doing. Don't let this generation forget what that generation did for us.

With deep appreciation,

Glenn Waters

Vidalia, Ga