Professional touring theatre and teaching artists developing theatrical works to promote integrity, self-discovery and positive transformation of artists, audiences, individuals, and communities. Visit www.ebzb.org!
EbzB Productions' Arts in Education offerings include workshops and residency programs for middle school and high school levels, as well as for after-school programs, libraries & museums with a focus on collecting oral history and adapting it for the stage. Programs available meet Common Core and Essential Standards in English Language Arts, Social Studies, Healthful Living, and Arts Education (Theatre Arts). In addition to EbzB's signature 5-day residency for students, Get Connected: Stage Your History, professional development workshops integrating theatre and history into the classroom are also available.
Artist Background
The nationally touring and award-winning production company of EbzB Productions' workshops can be applied to grades 3-12 upon request and with required joint planning with faculty. Endorsed by numerous state & local arts councils, EbzB has trained with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' Artists as Educators Program, and the Lincoln Center Institute's International Educator Program to conduct workshops in arts integration. EbzB Productions has established a solid reputation for its work with middle & high school classes to create historical narrative based on classroom oral history projects as well as specifically tailored residencies & workshops. Student workshops often are presented in tandem with scheduled performances.
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.
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 StarlingPhoto 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.”
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.
