With support from the California Arts Council, SAN JOSE CHILDREN’S MUSICAL THEATER will deepen its existing partnership with Alum Rock Unified School District into a yearlong arts access pathway for underrepresented youth who lack access to high-quality arts learning.
The project connects two proven CMT programs: Student Audience Matinees, and CMT’s/ARUSD Spring Break Camp offering hands-on acting, voice, movement, and performance. CAC funding will create a pathway from exposure to participation.
During the grant period, CMT will host up to 440 ARUSD students at a matinee; deliver three Teaching Artist workshops; provide bilingual family materials; support Teaching Artist compensation; and offer a free Spring Break camp culminating in a family performance at CMT’s Creative Arts Center.
The goal is to build the access infrastructure that allows East San José students to participate as young artists.
CMT mounts 11 core productions at the Montgomery Theater in downtown San Jose: six Rising Stars productions (cast members between the ages of 8-14), three Mainstage productions (cast members between the ages of 14-20), and two Marquee shows that showcase the talents of top emerging Bay Area performing artists, including many CMT alumni. Our education and outreach programming incorporates curriculum-based performing arts as a teaching tool and develops young audiences for musical theater. Our Production Workshops are a unique eight-week preparation process based on a clear artistic vision and the belief that each performer, at every skill level, can accomplish something remarkable. Our Audition Master Classes, Guest Artist Series Studio Classes and Summer Camp provide exceptional musical theater training in voice, acting and dance, culminating in performances designed to showcase the young performers’ talent and hard work.