Theater comes to Riverside
From Emporia Public Schools
Friday, March 5, 2010
Riverside Elementary students got a lesson in tolerance and a taste of theater last week as part of an Emporia State University outreach program.
Members of the ESU Educational Theater Company presented a “Kids on the Block” puppet show to third and fourth graders. “Kids on the Block” puppets portray children with disabilities, and their stowries are intended to help children understand and accept individuals with physical and intellectual differences. After the puppet show, Riverside children participated in some improvisation games with the ESU students. The presentation was part of Riverside’s after-school program.
ETC is a student organization in the Department of Communication and Theatre Arts. That uses creative dramatics techniques to teach and to entertain. ETC is working with the Hispanic Achievement for Commitment to Excellence (HACE) Committee at ESU to provide early awareness of academic opportunities for youth. One of the goals of HACE is to provide role models and academic enrichment programs that encourage Hispanic youth to stay in school and pursue higher education.
“The goal of having theater students present this show is to help fill the gap between elementary students and college students,” said Miranda Manjgaladze, a HACE member and a graduate assistant in the Multicultural Affairs Office. “It is important for elementary students to assimilate themselves with the college students so that they can relate to them and envision themselves as college students of the future.”