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| By Lori O' Brien Correspondent HOLYOKE In 60 minutes, 15 participants were taken on a whirlwind tour of the Enchanted Circle Theater's (ECT) 30 years -- through readings, dialogue and a bit of theater. Priscilla Kane Hellweg, executive/artistic director, and Rachel Kuhn Daviau, managing director, both of ECT, call it "A Taste of ECT," and participants were clearly engaged as both women spoke eloquently about how transforming their programs can be for others -- especially children. "I have seen this, time and again, the quietest, most reserved students blossom in performance," said Kane Hellweg, during an interview with Reminder Publications, adding "or the loudest student, the one who requires the most disciplining and attracts negative behavior, thrive within the creative structure of theater." Kane Hellweg added that research findings indicate that arts reach students who are not otherwise being reached in ways that reach them. "Problem students often become the high achievers in arts learning settings," she added. During the smorgasbord of agenda items, participants were treated to a mini performance by actor James Emery on life in the Holyoke mills some 150 years ago. His staged reading was part of ECT's production titled "Between the Canals: The Evolution of a Mill Town." At one point, Holyoke resident Sandy Ward of the Holyoke Consumer Health Library Inc. took part in the action and joined Emery as a dutiful reporter banging away at an old typewriter. "These sessions are so rewarding because they provide us all with an opportunity to reconnect with ECT's mission and to share our excitement and passion about the work we do with new people," said Kuhn Daviau. "I think anyone in the community who is interested in education and the arts would find it interesting, informative and inspirational." ECT is hosting several one-hour demonstrations to introduce their creative education programming to the community at large. Upcoming sessions that are open to the public are planned Feb. 1 at noon and Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. Registration is requested. Kane Hellweg explained that ECT is celebrating its 30th year of inspiring active learning through the arts in communities throughout the Pioneer Valley and beyond. "Learning is fun and infectious," she said, as she elaborated on ECT's theater arts programming. Both women take pride in teaching students through creative arts workshops how to express themselves artistically while absorbing academic context. In addition, through ECT's artist-in-residence program, students and teachers can be immersed over a period of weeks or months in the process of creating a play linked to their curriculum. Last year, ECT conducted 95 student workshops and 230 residency classes. ECT also offers a comprehensive professional development program focused on integration of the arts into the teaching strategies and curricula of K-12 teachers. Kuhn Daviau noted that since ECT is an artist-run company, they also create and perform original productions that are designed to engage, educate and capture the imagination of audiences of all ages. All ECT shows are performed by professional actors, dancers and musicians, and several productions actively involve children from the audience. For more information on ECT or if you would like to attend one of their free one-hour demonstrations, call (413) 534-3789. For ECT offerings, visit www.enchantedcircletheater.com. |