Spreading the word about Poetry Out Loud

From Lynne Johnson, associate director of education:

Poetry Out Loud recruitment took a new turn by way of a Poetry Out Loud Informational Get-Together, hosted by the Huntington's Education Department (MA State Coordinators for Poetry Out Loud) on Tuesday, October 5th. Twelve high school teachers, interested in learning more about POL came to the Huntington's conference room to meet with teachers from other schools and the Huntington's education staff to hear how teachers have had success with instituting the competition into their schools.

Anne Ford from Burlington High School and Dave Londino from Malden High School shared their stories and inspired the new teachers to hop on board. Huntington education Staff showed a PowerPoint presentation to show teachers the basic nuts and bolts of running the competition. 2009-2010 State Champion, Wilmene Hercule powerfully recited the poem, "The Song of the Smoke" by W.E.B. DuBois, and talked about her experiences at the Nationals in Washington, D.C. Piped in on speakerphone, Jamele Adams, poet, shared one of his amazing poems, and spoke about what an substantial opportunity Poetry Out Loud is for kids of all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds, and how it bring kids together on common ground in such a magical way.

All in all, it was an inspirational meeting which motivated new schools to hop on board for this year.

Do you know a school that should participate in this year's Poetry Out Loud competition? Tell them to learn more at huntingtontheatre.org/pol.

Poetry Out Loud - Semifinals this weekend!

"Workers need poetry more than bread.

They need that their life should be a poem."

~ Simone Weil

Contributed by Lynne Johnson, Associate Director of Education (photo left)

Hi Friends!

I'm inviting you to share in the success of our 5th Annual Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest!

If you love poetry, historic buildings, supporting our theatre company's mission, education, teenagers, talent, music, poets, culture, literature or the education department, please join us to experience this worthwhile event as an audience member. Come for the day, come for a few hours, come for a few minutes, but please come share the experience with us.

We promise that you will experience something truly amazing. We'd love to have you support us in this tremendous and highly positive event for our theatre. You won't believe the talent and insight of these young minds, and we promise you won't regret it.

Here are some of the Huntington's employees, board members and friends who are either judging, tabulating or helping out this year: Michael Maso, Michael Brahce, BTF, Kieth Mascoll - actor, Karen Holmes Ward, Diane Daily (MCC), Barbara Boger, Latoya Bosworth - poet, Jamele Adams - poet, Mwalim- poet, teacher, performing artist, writer musician, Melvin Miller, Sherry Cohen, Vawyna Nichols, Noel McCoy, Mary Ellen Reardon, Connie Bennett, Meg White, Charles Haugland, Joie LeMaitre, Noel McKoy, Cecilia Rappaport, Mary Lauvre, Mary O'Donnell, Mark Slavin, Carol Alkins and The Education Department.

Location/date/time

Semi-finals 

Saturday, March 6

       Springfield Museums, Great Hall, 220 State St. Springfield,MA

        10a-12:30p

       Cultural Center of Cape Cod (Yarmouth)

        307 Old Main St, South Yarmouth - 

        1:00 - 4p

Sunday, March 7

       Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, 527 Tremont St. Boston

        9:30a - 2:30p

       Masonic Temple, 404 Concord Rd., Framingham 

        9:30a - 2:30p

Finals

Sunday, March 14

      Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St.,  Boston 

       9:30a -3:30p

Join us if you can, we'd love to have you! - Lynne

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Summer Shakespeare

Hello, this is Lynne Johnson, Associate Director of Education at the Huntington Theatre Company sharing a fabulous summer experience with you from the Education Department.

This past summer the education department had the pleasure of producing our fourth Shakespearean production with Codman Academy Public Charter School during the month of July. Twelfth Night was our play of choice, set in modern day Martha’s Vineyard. It proved to be a treat for all of us involved on so many different levels.

New to the Summer Theatre Institute team was the addition of Meg Wieder, Education Manager, who served as Production Stage Manager, which really helped to round out the team needed to produce this wonderful production. In addition, the Huntington’s Production Department went above and beyond to ensure that the students were working on a larger and more detailed set than we’ve been able to achieve in past summers.


As Director of the Twelfth Night, I felt that in all of my years of directing high school students, this summer was an eye opening and particularly moving experience to be working with these students. Meg and I were blessed with a strong, talented group of focused and engaged students who put their very best work into this production.

From day one to strike, it was truly a wonderful collaboration and proves that the work we do with Codman Academy has paid off for each and every student who has been involved. And even though we were their teachers, Meg and I felt we were also students, receiving an education from our cast, which went above and beyond what we ever expected.

The cast and crew of Twelfth Night

For a little more about the Huntington and the Codman - click here and here

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Inbox: Poetry Out Loud National Finals

This is from associate director of education Lynne Johnson:

Hello everyone,

I wanted to fill you in on the "Massachusetts Poetry Out Loud experience" for this year. Our State Champion, Wilmene Hercule, handled herself with great poise and talent, completely holding her own in the semi-finals in Washington DC. So much so, she made it to the third round.

She was truly wonderful and Massachusetts can be extremely proud of her as representative of our state.

Audience members around me, who were made up of teachers, parents and States Arts Agencies, were totally in awe of the fact that Wilmene was only 15 years old and genuinely loved her performance.

The contest was amazing, as usual, and I think the bar was raised again this year. I certainly felt that Wilmene was definitely in her element and for such a young age, did a tremendous job. I felt extremely proud.

Her mother Marie, and teacher from Prospect Hill Academy, also attended.

A highlight this year was hearing singer Natalie Merchant sing three songs which were based on three poems from poets which she was commissioned to put to music. She has an album with more of them coming out soon. The songs were beautiful and I urge you to get the c.d. when it comes out.

We were also fortunate to meet Tyne Daly who was a judge this year. It was more exciting for me than Wilmene, I'm afraid. I don't think Wilmene knew who she was, but I introduced her as one of the youngest contestants and Tyne was very nice to Wilmene and I.

Lynne Johnson, Tyle Daly, and Wilmene Hercule

All in all, I was glad that I was able to go and represent the Mass State Partners. I took home some great ideas at the State Arts Agency meeting for next year, and I think we can only continue to grow.

Enjoy the picture and I hope you join us for Poetry Out Loud next season.

Thanks,

Lynne

For more information about Poetry Out Loud visit huntingtontheatre.org