East Hickman Middle School Creates Original Play

By Ann Brown, Director of Arts Education

East Hickman Middle School from Lyles, Tennessee received an Arts Education Mini-Grant to work with Wood & Strings Theatre, a national touring company based in Centerville that has designed and produced engaging educational events for 38 years. The project was titled Puppetry and Folklore with instruction and direction led by teaching artist Clarissa Lega. Students produced a script, puppets, scenery, and sound track and performed an original work on three different occasions for fellow students and the community.

The purpose of the Arts Education Mini-Grant is to encourage projects that prepare students for success in school, career, and life. The East Hickman project included after school instruction for approximately 15 students, developing skills and knowledge in the theatre arts while connecting to content in other curriculum areas including language arts. In addition to curriculum-based learning, the project provided a space for artistic and cultural expression. This was the second year East Hickman Middle School held an after school arts program.