Preparing for Annaleigh

Annaleigh Ashford (left) in WICKED

"What would you do if a green person walked into the room?"

The first and second graders had an immediate reaction.

"I'd run!"

"I'd hide!"

"I'd scream!"

"I'd cry."

"Hold on" I say, "What if this person was smiling?" 

That would be even worse. They've seen too many scary clown movies. This green person wouldn't stand a chance because green is different and different is scary. 

"What if the green person walked in with me? What if I introduced her to you and told you her name was Elphaba? What if I was holding her hand and told you she was my friend? And what if you got the chance to know her and you realized she wasn't scary at all?" 

The tension in the room started to settle and small chuckles of relief replaced it. The children started to see that maybe they could give this Elphaba a chance. With that, I began to tell them Elphaba's story as told in the Broadway musical WICKED. How she was born green and rejected by her family. How everyone she met ran away, or hid, or screamed, or cried, or wanted to hurt her. How she was just someone who was different on the outside, but had feelings like the rest of us. How a small kindness is healing and empathy is important. 

I asked them again, now that they had this new information, "What would you do if Elphaba walked into the room?" Their answers reflected goodwill and compassion. Of course, this was the lesson. We should try to avoid judging someone on their outward appearance and get to know them first. If we do and it turns out we don't like them, at least we made an informed decision. 

This is how I introduced the children to the work of Tony Award Winner Annaleigh Ashford for my Broadway Books First Class program. Annaleigh played Glinda in national tour of WICKED and later recreated it on Broadway. I'd found my hook! And I found a theme. 

This theme of not discounting others based on appearance was also evident in Annaleigh's 2007 Broadway debut in a little show called LEGALLY BLONDE. In that show, based on the wildly popular movie starring Reese Witherspoon, a perky blonde girl obsessed with all things pink wants to become a lawyer. She is ridiculed, mocked, and dismissed because she doesn't fit the expectations ascribed to a serious law student. However, her unconventional viewpoint proves to be the very thing that  wins cases. 

Annaleigh Ashford (in white) as Margot in LEGALLY BLONDE

Judgement and dismissal are painful to experience, yet they come so naturally to us. We can do better. 

At around the same time Annaleigh was performing in these shows, I had a student who the doctors believed had a rare disease called Proteus Syndrome. His appearance was disfigured by benign tumors causing abnormal tissue growth of bones and skin. He resembled John Merrick "The Elephant Man" and the disease left him breathing through a tracheotomy tube. He was also a talented artist who loved to create pictures. He was a typical first grader...inside. 

This small boy had to endure so much and one thing he didn't need were the stares of shocked onlookers. I'd take the class out to a show or to the museum and people would literally gasp or, even worse, scream when they saw him. This happened again and again. This was a guttural response, not premeditated or planned. Yet, the onslaught of negative reactions took its toll on him. How could it not? And how do you walk that reaction back? 

I'm proud to say that in our class he became just another student. His condition became secondary to who he was. My mom always told me the most beautiful woman can become ugly or the homeliest person could become beautiful depending on their personality and how they treat others. That's what happened. We all saw this boy in a different light once we got to know him. His humor, his laugh, his determination, all took center stage. 

I thought of him as we prepared for Annaleigh's visit. I wondered how I could impart this lesson of seeing beyond the surface to the person underneath. We had interesting discussions. The children changed their minds about Elphaba. They would give the green witch a chance after all. These life lessons must be revisited time and time again.

Each Broadway Books First Class guest artist visit centers on a children's book that supports a theme. We uncover themes as we study the work of each guest artist. For Annaleigh, this one theme was clear. So, I chose the Caldecott Honor Book KNIGHT OWL by Christopher Denise for her to read aloud.

Annaleigh Ashford reads KNIGHT OWL

This children's book is about a little owl who dreams of becoming a knight! Who could ever imagine this tiny feathered creature could succeed? Whoo? Whoo? But this determined lad has his parents blessing and works had to pass knight school. In fact, his owley disposition works in his favor! He can stay up nights when the other knights fall asleep. And he bonded over shared traits with the dragon that threatened the kingdom. In the end, this little owl became an unexpected hero. See, you never know. 

Before the reading, a child asked Annaleigh if she could read the book in a British accent. They knew she could do this accent because of her work in KINKY BOOTS and SWEENEY TODD. She countered with, "How about I use a British accent for the owl?" And she did. And it was brilliant. Another layer, another way to truly see someone - not for what they appear to be, but for who they truly are. 

Each student took home a copy of KNIGHT OWL 

David Staller's Visit Transcends Words

David Staller with Kindergarten and Second Grade Students

Wordless Picture Books have long resided in the "Never Have I Ever" category of read-alouds for my Broadway Books First Class program. They are books for young readers that depart from a traditionally written narrative. There may be words, but they tend to be labels or short utterances made by the characters. The primary feature of this genre is that the stories unfold through the illustrations. They require the reader to tell the story visually, noticing small details that propel the story forward. 

Wordless Picture Books are fantastic for young children and children with language delays because they meet the reader at their level of understanding. They also encourage interaction with the text in a fluid manner. The eyes are free to land on details at will, allowing the story to take shape with each new observation. They are also wonderful for parents who struggle with literacy (or language) and feel self-conscious about reading to or with their children. Wordless Picture Books eliminate some of the trepidation these adults face in a parent/child dyad surrounding a shared literacy experience.  As a teacher, I've encouraged many parents to share a book with their child by simply talking about the pictures. This builds positive experiences around reading for the child and keeps them coming back for more. 

However, although there are powerful advantages to Wordless Picture Books, they also present some challenges when utilized in the classroom. In order to present these books to an audience of children, the reader must know the material really well. They must be comfortable leading a discussion because a traditional reading (reading the print) will get you nowhere fast. So, I customarily keep wordless picture books for my teaching, not for a guest reader. 

Then, I fell in love with the wordless picture book Spencer's New Pet by Jessie Sima and really wanted to include it as a Broadway Books book selection. The illustrations feel as though you are watching an old-timey black-and-white movie reel about a boy and his pet balloon (the red balloon dog is the only splash of color in the book). It is a charming, quirky story with a surprise ending that I knew the children would love as much as I did. 

The trick was matching the book with a reader who was up to the demanding task. I needed a guest artist who was willing to do a bit of homework by studying the illustrations closely and plotting out where to stop, what to discuss, and how to engage the children. I needed a guest artist who was comfortable leading a thoughtful discussion. Someone who could constantly read the room to check for understanding and engagement. A person who was used to steering the ship with confidence and enthusiasm. Someone who has pacing and humor and an eye for detail. 

David Staller was that person! David is the founding artistic director of Gingold Theatrical Group, which presents and promotes the work of activist playwright George Bernard Shaw. He is a director and actor - someone quite used to playing nicely in the sandbox with others. He was a guest artist once before in 2019, so I knew he was great with children. His interactions with the students shine with joy and a go-with-the-flow attitude that suggests he is fully present. I knew Spencer's New Pet was a good fit for David, but what would he think?

I sent him a YouTube video showcasing the book and he immediately said yes. He invited me to swing by his Gingold Theatrical offices in midtown Manhattan because I wanted to discuss the challenges of the genre and give him a copy of the book. It was there that he pointed out something in the book that I did not notice. The boy is reading Pygmalion to his new pet! Given David's connection to Shaw (he is the only person to produce and direct all 65 of Shaw's plays, including Pygmalion) this was an astounding sign of kismet. It is also a very clever foreshadowing of upcoming events in the book. 

David Staller directs a scene from Spencer's New Pet

Preparations complete (his with the book, mine teaching the students all about David's work) we happily welcomed David into the classroom. With each turn of the page, I marveled at how beautifully David led the reading. The way he provided just enough information to allow the children to understand the story, while simultaneously sharing their thoughts, their noticing and wonderings, and their enthusiasm was masterful. He crafted suspense by highlighting the many dangers lurking throughout the book, including the myriad, threatening ways Spencer's new pet balloon pup could pop. Until, finally...POP! and we were left to uncover what had just happened (no spoilers here). 

To help the students understand the job of a director, he directed them in a "scene" from the book. It was a great way to get them up and moving. 

This was followed by a book signing with each child taking home a hard copy of the book with a personal message from David. It is another wonderful addition to their personal libraries and provides encouragement for parents to sit and engage in language and story with their children.

In the end, the smiles and hugs let David know that his effort was well received and appreciated. He even took home a new pet of his own - a red balloon dog! 

In fact, we all got a new pet!

New pets inspired by Jessie Sima's picture book, Spencer's New Pet

*Thank you, David Staller, for sharing your brilliance with us once again. We look forward to your next visit.

Sharing Big Moments with Broadway's Daniel Jenkins

Daniel Jenkins visits with Kindergarten and Second Grade students 
(Photo credit: Eileen Lograno)

Something extraordinary happened today and in my excitement I wanted to call my mom to tell her all about it. Sadly, I knew I couldn't, but I could imagine the conversation. She would understand what it means to me to have Daniel Jenkins, the original Huck Finn in Big River, ask me to sing with him. 

It all happened during his visit to my kindergarten classroom as a guest artist with Broadway Books First Class. The fact that Daniel Jenkins was even visiting was enough to set my pulse racing. It's because some of us forge deep connections to certain Broadway shows. We've played the album nonstop, sang every song, know every lyric, sat in the audience to watch it more than once, and bought tickets for our family and friends so they could share our enthusiasm. 

Daniel Jenkins signed my cast album

Big River was one of those shows for me and Daniel Jenkins was my Huck. His voice, his energy, his twang, his humor, and his overall performance were something I dreamed of emulating. 

There have been other favorite shows and other guest artists who've visited with the program that've had me walking on air. There was Alison Fraser (Romance/Romance and The Secret Garden), Douglas Sills (The Scarlet Pimpernel), David Staller (Evita), Bryce Pinkham (A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder), Kecia Lewis (Once on This Island), Stockard Channing (Grease), and Annie Golden (Hair), but never has one of these incredible performers asked me to duet with them. It was nothing I ever considered doing either. 

Until today. 

Today, Daniel Jenkins surprised me after a student asked, "Can you sing for us?" He turned to me and told me to move my chair a little closer to him. He said I would be singing with him. He chose "Worlds Apart" from Big River.  As I scooted closer, I thought I heard him whisper to the ASL interpreter, "He can sing, right?" 

He began, "I see the same stars through my window..." and then I joined him. He was also signing as he sang, so I locked eyes with him and we told the story of two people finding a connection despite their differences. I wasn't sure how I was doing, but it didn't really matter. I was sharing a moment of importance (to me) that came about because of an act of kindness from someone I have admired for over 30 years. When we finished, I gave him a hug, as the children clapped and cheered, and then I dramatically fell off my chair in disbelief at what had just occurred. 

I'm about to fall off my chair after singing with Tony Award nominee Daniel Jenkins

Daniel's visit this week seemed to have even more weight to it because entering a school these days is an act of courage. The horrific murders of 2 teachers and 19 children in a fourth-grade classroom in Texas has left me despondent. The anguish of the parents and families of the victims hurts my soul. In this fragile state, Daniel Jenkins offered up some joy, a little island to find peace within a wild, untamed ocean. 

His book selection seemed timely as well. Although, a children's book promoting the themes of friendship and acceptance is always a strong selection. 

Daniel Jenkins reading Big Al
(Photo Credit: Dawn Klein)

Daniel chose to read the book Big Al by Andrew Clements and Yoshi. It tells the story of a large, scary looking fish who is lonely because his appearance frightens the other fish. 

Big Al tries everything to hide parts of himself and alter his looks, but nothing works. It isn't until all of the little fish are caught in a fisherman's net and Big Al saves the day that they all realize he is more than meets the eye. It is a heartwarming tale with beautiful illustrations. 

As Daniel read, I looked around the classroom to witness how the story was registering with the children. This energetic bunch was suddenly quiet. All eyes on Daniel and ASL interpreter, Lynnette Taylor, in an impressive show of what can only be called, "rapt attention." 

It dawned on me that this visit was full of "big" moments - both literal and figurative. Here was a guest artist with Broadway credits in Big River (the original production in 1985 and the Deaf West revival in 2003) and Big (in 1996, based on the popular Tom Hanks movie). He read a children's book called Big Al, gave me a very big moment (see above), and shared some truly big life lessons in his responses to the children's questions.

A student askes, "Why did you want to perform on Broadway?"
(Photo Credit: Dawn Klein)

When asked why he wanted to be on Broadway, he responded by telling us about the joys and advantages of playing with people who help you grow. The lesson was one that applies to many situations, but his point was that surrounding yourself with others who are passionate about what they are doing presents opportunities for us to learn and pushes us to improve. Indeed!

We wrapped up the Q&A and Daniel put his considerable ASL and fingerspelling skills to use by signing books for all of the students. With messages of "Peace" he engaged with each child, giving them a moment to be seen and feel valued. 

Daniel signs the first letter in this students name
(Photo credit: Eileen Lograno)

A writer from Broadway World was supposed to attend this guest artist visit for an article about the program. He had to cancel at the last minute and I am sorry he missed a golden opportunity to put some positivity into our grieving country. I'm sorry my mom isn't alive to pick up the phone so I can tell her all about it. A friend told me she's an angel looking out for me now. If that's the case, she did some sweet work with this visit. 

We all lift our hands in gratitude to applaud Daniel Jenkins - thank you!

Danny Burstein Takes Us on an Adventure

Danny Burstein with the kindergarten and second grade students of PS347 on February 7, 2022

Tony Award Winner Danny Burstein (Moulin Rouge) stepped into my classroom on a cold Monday morning in February and his warmth radiated throughout the room. I watched the kindergarten and second grade children applaud as he entered and I playfully asked them, "Who is this?!" They enthusiastically replied, "Danny Burstein!" To them, he was already a friend.

We'd been studying his career for weeks. Show by show, character by character, theme by theme...we watched, learned, and questioned. Children in both grades became immersed and engaged in different aspects of his work. The kindergarten students were fascinated by the energy and vibrancy of the Can-Can from Moulin Rouge, while the second graders probed deeper into the why's behind his career choices. I smiled at the thought of what they'd take away from the morning. How would it affect them? What memories would stay? And I remembered a somewhat similar experience from my childhood.

 

Danny Burstein in First Grade

When I was a young lad in school all of the students were called to gather in the auditorium to watch a performance by a troupe of modern-day minstrels. It was unannounced. There was no fanfare or preparation. I didn't know what we were seeing, but our attention was directed to the stage as the house lights dimmed. Soon after the curtain opened, I heard the lilting melody of Try to Remember for the first time. 

The opening notes were like a siren song calling my spirit closer. I was lost and nothing else around me mattered. The lyrics, the music, the mood, the insight, the longing, the loss, the hope, and the beauty of this song spoke to the deepest parts of me. This was live theater?! Holy Shit! 

I was hooked! It was a transcendent moment that has stayed with me. I still think Try to Remember is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. It is all mine. I've established a firmly rooted sense of connection. I'm so glad I went to school that day. I can't imagine missing that unexpected performance of The Fantasticks. 

That intangible sense that there are feelings and connections bigger than I could possibly fathom and can never properly articulate is one of the driving forces behind Broadway Books First Class. It's a delicious sense of wonder and possibility. It can not be manufactured, but it can be cultivated by presenting opportunities for students to feel the pull of the extraordinary. The kind of magic that can be found in a performance or in the pages of a book. We never know what small moment or passage may reach out and touch the heart of a child. I feel extraordinarily fortunate to have the support of so many members of the Broadway community to help me realize this impossible dream. 

Of course, Danny Burstein delivered beautifully. Everyone told me that he is one of the nicest people in show biz and this "boy from the Bronx" proved that this is indeed true. His energy, warmth, and humor were on display in every interaction.

First, in his reading of the the imaginative children's book classic Harold and the Purple Crayon. Talk about wonder and possibility! Harold takes us on an adventure unbounded by the physical. Clever word play is combined with simple line drawings to usher children into Harold's unfolding adventure. Page-by-page we were drawn into the story by Danny's invitations to sample a bit of Harold's world. "What's your favorite kind of pie?" he asked when Harold left us with 9 varieties to choose from. Together, Danny and Harold ushered us into a world wherein we could go anywhere and do anything. 

Danny Burstein reads Harold and the Purple Crayon alongside ASL interpreter Dylan Geil

Danny chose this book because it was one he read to his own children. I love when guest artists suggest favorite books they have a deep connection to for reasons that are rooted in loving memories. Children feel and feed off of that joy. I see it every time I read my beloved Curious George. They want to ride on the waves of our enthusiasm. It helps them build their own connections and I envision them one day sharing it with their own children. The story goes on.

Danny signs books

The fact that each child took home a copy of the book with a personalized message from Danny only strengthens the bond to the book and the experience. 

And what an experience! Our students had a front row seat to an exclusive interview and performance by an a man with seven Tony Award nominations (winning in 2021 for Moulin Rouge). He shared his long-held passion for performing and his desire to keep challenging himself with different roles. For example, deciding to move on from his celebrated role as the Latin lover Aldolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone (his first Tony nomination) to successfully explore vastly different characters in other plays and musicals (including Golden Boy, South Pacific, Follies, Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, and A Midsummer Night's Dream.)  

Prompted by the students, Danny sang us a bit of If I Were a Rich Man from his 2016 Tony nominated performance in Fiddler on the Roof.  He set up the song by giving the children a bit of background. We'd previously studied the big themes of the show when Jessica Hecht visited. She played Golde to his Tevye on Broadway. It was thrilling having them both visit us just a few months apart. Danny gave us more insights into the show from his (and Tevye's) perspective. 

Danny Burstein singing IF I WERE A RICH MAN alongside ASL interpreter Dylan Geil (pictured here signing "if")

Again and again I find that the best way to build understanding and connections between ourselves and the things we love is through relationships. This is true in facilitating an understanding of the nuances between characters in shows, between the issues presented in them, and it is also true in the impact the visits have upon the students. It is such an incredible privilege to welcome Broadway guest artists into the classroom. The impact and magic of the visits are not lost on the children. These are moments, I believe, that will shape their lives. 

For a little over an hour my students had the golden opportunity to connect with Danny Burstein. And for that, we are all grateful.

I Love You
"Thank you and for the book and your voice is nice and the song."

Photos: Eileen Lograno, Dawn Klein, and Gary Wellbrock. 

Photo of Danny in First Grade provided courtesy of Danny Burstein

Somewhere Over the Rainbow with Karen Mason

Karen Mason sharing the love with some Kindergarten and Second Grade students

 

Life happens all at once. We usually focus on one thing more than another, but our myriad thoughts and actions are always bumping into each other.  Each one edifying the next, bringing clarity and new understanding. That's how I like to facilitate the learning in my classroom. We explore topics by making connections and allow themes to emerge naturally. Subjects do not happen in isolation, it's all connected. 

This year the Broadway Books First Class guest artist visits have not existed in isolation either. There is a throughline emerging and growing stronger with each performer. This happens as we examine their body of work. The children made deeper connections within social justice education, literacy, and social studies as we prepared to welcome Broadway stalwart Karen Mason this past December. 

It started with Jelani Alladin. The theme of the book he read, The Barnabus Project by The Fan Brothers, was "Nothing is impossible".  Jelani played Kristoff in Frozen on Broadway. In the animated movie his character was drawn as a white male with blonde hair. Jelani described how he was surprised and delighted that the director did not let that depiction constrain the sense of possibility when casting the role. Jelani has been successful in letting his talent open doors and challenging the heretofore narrow-minded views and standard operating procedure of casting. 

Tony Award nominee, Jessica Hecht, was our second guest. She has an impressive body of work that showcased for us the idea of conflict. What is conflict? How do we remain true to ourselves when who we are (i.e., religion, race, SES, etc.) is making us targets of racism, bigotry, and oppression? How do we tap into that inner core that tells us to stand tall and proud? How do we overcome? Where and when do tolerance and acceptance fit in? 

Karen Mason

Then, there is Karen Mason and her resume filled with incredible performances in spectacular shows. There is Mamma Mia!, Sunset Boulevard, Hairspray, Wonderland, and Love Never Dies. 

Shows that allowed the kindergarten and second grade students to continue to examine issues of tolerance and acceptance. Consider Hairspray and Love Never Dies. Both shows, in their way, deal with judging and excluding others for physical characteristics (e.g., body type and ideas of beauty) and race.  

As we revisit these themes across time, we are able to delve deeper into them and make those important connections. I knew we were on to something good when a student said, unprompted, that Tracy Turnblad's eventual inclusion in The Corny Collins Show was "Just like Jelani Alladin" when he talked about being cast in Frozen. We had opportunities to explore the unfortunate realities of our broken society and examine ways to take action to improve things. All based on the work of the guest artists!

Karen Mason sings Over the Rainbow with ASL interpretation by Rick Rubin

Another aspect I couldn't overlook was Karen's - almost tangible - joy of singing. The notion of passion and dreams is certainly another takeaway that spans all of the guest artist visits. I followed Karen on Instagram (@karenmasondiva) throughout the pandemic and was taken with how music lifts her up. This is someone who has found that thing that touches her soul. I believe it is a truly transcendent and joyful experience for her to lift her voice in song. The fact that her talents have opened up so many golden opportunities for her seems almost secondary to the fact that she simply gets to express herself artistically. 

One of the many questions the children had for her was, "Can you sing for us?" Karen happily obliged with a beautiful rendition of Over the Rainbow (including the lesser-known introduction). We all even joined her for the finale. Whereupon, she graced us with one of those fancy Broadway bows we've been practicing. 

Karen Mason reads The Pigeon HAS to go to School! by Mo Willems

All of this was wonderful, but no visit would be complete without a celebration of storytelling through the reading of a children's book. For Karen's visit, I chose The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems. It is a fun book that provided a lighter tone to balance some of our heavier discussions. Although, never underestimate the gravitas inherent in the pigeon's ongoing dilemas.

Each child took home a hardcover copy of the book signed with a personalized message from Karen. During the book signing they even had an opportunity to see up close the crown she wore as the Queen of Hearts in the musical Wonderland on Broadway. That was pretty cool!

We may be in the midst of a pandemic surrounded by fear and worry, but there is no reason we cannot embrace passion and joy as well. We did that with Karen Mason, a story, and a song. And for that, we give thanks.

"Your voice is so beautiful, like a flower."

A Broadway Books First Class Visit with Jessica Hecht

A kindergarten student introduces herself to Tony Award nominee Jessica Hecht

Exploring the work of an artist is an interesting and contemplative endeavor when you are viewing it with an eye toward sharing your musings with a group of young students. In preparation for our Broadway Books First Class (BBFC) guest artist visit with Tony Award nominee Jessica Hecht, I first let the scope of her work wash over me. I charted the timeline of her Broadway shows and wondered what themes would emerge. What kinds of shows spoke to her? What connections could be made across shows that might give a glimpse into what she is passionate about based on the projects she's selected? 

Jessica made her Broadway debut in 1997 in Alfred Uhry's The Last Night of Ballyhoo. The play takes place in Atlanta, Georgia in 1939 within an upper class German-Jewish community. Hitler recently conquered Poland and Gone with the Wind is about to premiere - both provide a backdrop for the action. The plot centers around a Jewish family struggling with their identity in the face of the tumultuous manifestations of racism and prejudice swirling around them. 

I could easily connect this play to her 2015 foray into musical theater with the Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof. This is a well-known and beloved story of a Jewish family steeped in tradition while navigating the inevitable tide of change. Both shows deal with conflict, oppression, struggle, and family. That connection gave me a great place to start. 

Then, there were other shows by heavy hitters like Arthur Miller (The Price, After the Fall, and her Tony nominated performance in A View from the Bridge), Neil Simon (Brighton Beach Memoirs, Broadway Bound), and William Shakespeare (Julius Caesar). Here, too, were dramatic offerings dealing with themes of conflict, struggle, and family. I began to see that Jessica was an actress unafraid to roll up her sleeves and tackle some, often uncomfortable, universal truths. 

I brought all this to the children and slowly laid it out over the course of several weeks. They soaked it all up. They asked probing questions to clarify the weighty themes. I showed them the sign for "CONFLICT" and we discussed its meaning. One student said it is like two trains crashing into each other. We made connections with Disney's Frozen, a show performed by our former guest artist Jelani Alladin. Students more readily understood conflict, oppression, and the importance of family, through Elsa's struggle to fit in because she was different. 

The parallels were easy to make between The Last Night of Ballyhoo and Fiddler on the Roof. We talked about inner conflict and outer conflict, self-esteem, pride, and what it feels like to be made small. 

I worked with the kindergarten and second grade students each morning for two weeks in separate sessions. I started the day with the second graders where our conversations gave credence to their ability to grapple with the serious themes. It was evident in their questions and in the silence brought about by thought. I try never to rush through the quiet moments of processing during a lesson. I'd leave the second graders and return to my own kindergarten class to cover the same material, ever mindful of the modifications in approach and language necessary to engage my younger ones. 

A student Q&A with guest artist Jessica Hecht

Jessica Hecht's work gave us so much to explore! Together we developed questions that showed me how far the second graders have come over the years in their language development and understanding of formulating open-ended questions to promote discussions with our guest artists. (Note: The second graders were my students in kindergarten and first grade.) The first two questions, "How did you feel when you went on stage for the first time?" and the follow-up, "Did that feeling change as you continued to do more shows?" proved to be very insightful. Jessica comes across as very articulate, deliberate, centered, aware, and open in her responses. 

She is also unafraid of sharing her vulnerability and that is where the magic happens. I first saw the power of this when Mary Testa cried during her guest artist visit as she described the healing nature of theater in response to student questions. Jessica's response to the children's questions held the same honesty. 

It started with her sharing how she deals with nerves related to performance and continued as she led us in some of the vocal exercises she did to prepare for her role as Golde in Fiddler on the Roof. She invited the students to join in and they happily accepted. Then, she played a recording of "Do You Love Me?" from the musical. It is a duet between Golde and her husband, Tevye. As the recording played, ASL interpreter Lynnette Taylor stepped into spotlight to work her considerable magic. Her impromptu interpretation - she did not know the song would be played beforehand - was truly mesmerizing. Lynnette captured every nuance hidden in the words and we all watched in awe. Students attentively watched and some copied Lynnette to bring the feeling into their own bodies, which deepened their understanding. It's brilliant to see people shine in their element. 

Jessica Hecht reads Sylvester and the Magic Pebble alongside ASL interpreter Lynnette Taylor

That brilliance was evident in Jessica's reading of the children's book Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig. Jessica chose this book because it was a favorite of her own children. It's a beautiful story that reminds us of what is truly important in life - the relationships we build, the love we share, and the moments we spend together. This was a message we could apply to Jessica's work as well - conflict, struggle, and the importance of family to get us through it all.

Our visit was fast approaching the time when each student would have an opportunity to meet with Jessica individually to receive a personalized, hardcover copy of the book. We had such a full morning we didn't even get to talk about her work in Friends, Breaking Bad, The Sinner, or her Emmy nominated performance in Special. 

Jessica Hecht signs a copy of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble for a second grade student

As Jessica signed books and chatted with each child, the rest of the students were busy either reading their copies of the book or writing thank you cards. There are a lot of moving pieces to coordinate to make these guest artist visits happen. I want to thank the following folks for their support. First, Bryan Andes, an incredible NYC Public School educator, for connecting me with Jessica. Second, Andrew Fletcher for purchasing 36 copies of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble in honor of our mentor, Dr. Joanna Uhry. Third, the teachers and ASL interpreters I work with to ensure more students can take part in the program and have equal access to them (with a special nod to my BBFC documentarian, Eileen Lograno). And finally, Jessica Hecht for being the reason we all came together to celebrate literacy and the arts. 

Eternals

This blog was started back in March 2007 as a way to share my passion and love of teaching. At that time, I was paired with a team teacher, Lauren Rifloff, who shared my beliefs and was a perfect compliment to my abilities. She loved taking the lead when teaching writing, I loved taking the lead with reading instruction. She was/is a fantastic artist, I have trouble with stick figures. Our class study of poetry was magic in her hands because she loved the freedom of poetic expression, my feelings about poetry were lukewarm (although she's sold me on its merits). We read stories from picture books and chapter books seated side-by-side, me voicing and her signing. We shared a love of stories and read to our students several times a day. 

She was always ready and willing to assist me in conducting research for my doctoral courses relating to reading development for children who are D/deaf and hard of hearing, examining American Sign Language, and unpacking best practices. 

The days went by smoothly as we taught our kindergarten and first grade students over the course of nine years. During that time we shared a great deal professionally and personally. I grew to love her like a sister. I'm happy that so many of our experiences in the classroom are documented here in this blog because it was a time of growth, challenge, and joy for me. 

She left to have her first son, but I always held out hope that she would return and we could resume our partnership. However, I guess that's not going to happen now because she's become a superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)! Her sure-to-be blockbuster hit, ETERNALS, is out this week. Lauren plays Makkari, the first Deaf superhero in the MCU. Yep, she's making history!

She is doing a lot of press right now to promote the movie, but embraces her time as an educator in the NYC Public Schools. That is evident in this segment about her on ABC News (see below). Lauren embodies the spirit of, "When one rises, we all rise". 

Now it seems the whole world knows what I've always known - Lauren is SUPER!

A Book with Alison Fraser

The in-person first grade class with Alison Fraser (May 2021)

 

I post these group shots sometimes and realize it's so easy for others to give a cursory glance before moving on to the next photo, the next post, the next...whatever. Today, photographs have lost a bit of their power. This may be because they are so easily taken, viewed and forgotten. It wasn't always that way.

Nevertheless, I've been looking at this photo and thinking about the individuals in it. I see the unique personalities of each child wrapped in the backstories I know so well, as I was lucky enough to spend two years as their teacher. I know their smiles, delights, struggles, kindness, bravery, tentativeness, humor, sadness, challenges, energy, and unique talents. I've witnessed them all firsthand during a difficult period in our lives that brought us together in unprecedented ways. They are extraordinary. 

Then, there is the woman in the striped shirt, straw hat, and black face mask trimmed with lace. That's two-time Tony Award nominee Alison Fraser nestled in the midst of my first graders. She has moved audiences with laughter (The Divine Sister, Gypsy), frightened and repulsed us with a quiet, menacing calm (Squeamish) or steely presence (First Daughter Suite), made us rise to our feet to tearfully cheer (The Secret Garden), and swept us along with singing and storytelling so good we simply have to revisit the show again and again (Romance/Romance). She is extraordinary. 

We came together in May 2021 to take a group photo memorializing our collaboration on a literary project. I suppose it's impossible to capture all of this life in an image. Yet, it's a snapshot of a moment we wanted to document and remember. Unless you take the time to look a little closer or dig a little deeper, you may only see what's on the surface. Does anyone have the time to slow down these days and think, "I wonder..." 

What brought us all together? What is the story behind the photograph?

I ponder this sometimes with old, sepia-toned photographs. I'll never know the answer for many photos, but I do for this one. The folks in this picture got together to create art, to tell a story and to make a book. We called it Nat's Cats. 

In the doing, we found purpose and joy. Alison wrote the story. My students illustrated it. I orchestrated and oversaw the progress, lovingly putting it together for publication. Alison then asked if I would write the foreword, which I am sharing here.

The Cover of Nat's Cats
The students chose orange, which just happens to be Alison's favorite color.

"Once every 100 years or so society is forced to slow down and readjust due to devastation caused by a global pandemic that will not be ignored. In 2020, the spread of COVID-19 closed NYC public schools. My class of kindergartners took to remote learning. We only saw one another on the computer screen and the children thought about the time when they could laugh and play together again. 

As schools slowly opened up, some students returned for in-person learning and some remained remote. My brave little ones were champions, even as they were full of emotional turmoil. In the midst of all this, I received an email from Alison Fraser. Alison is a celebrated Broadway star, with two Tony Award nominations, and a frequent quest with my Broadway Books First Class program. Attached to her email was a charming story about her two cats. I fell in love with it. The language and style were reminiscent of one of my favorite books for children, Curious George. 

I asked her if my students, now in first grade, could illustrate it. Alison loved the idea and met with the children via Zoom to read her story and invite them to collaborate with her. The class responded with a resounding, YES! and we set off to study children's book illustrations for inspiration. The students experimented with different visual arts media. They worked with watercolors, markers, collage, pen and ink, crayons, paint, and colored pencils for weeks to create their artwork. The result can be seen on the following pages. 

This is how you find joy even in uncertain times. Create art."

Alison reads Nat's Cats while students follow along in their own books.

Our efforts were realized in the beautiful, hardbound copies of our book. One hundred copies, to be exact! As authors and illustrators do, we celebrated with a publishing party. Alison came to visit us in the classroom to read the book, as students followed along in their own copies. 

Children proudly smiled when their drawings came up on the pages. We'd stop and cheer. It was a time of happiness rooted in the satisfaction that comes from the fruition of sustained work. We spent weeks on this project and now we had something tangible to show for it. The lesson of perseverance and goal setting was a good one for the students to learn. 

What is a publishing party without a book signing?

Alison wrote a personalized message for each student. She also made it possible for every child to take home five books to share with family and friends. 

I'd love to see this book in every animal shelter because it stands as a testament to the value of pet adoption. I'm really proud of it - not just the finished product, but the whole process that got us there. And, my goodness, we got to collaborate with Alison Fraser! It's an embarrassment of riches, as they say. 

Remember Me

Dickie Hearts with some of the first grade students

 

Remember Me is a song from the Disney/Pixar animated Dia de los Muertos themed feature film, Coco. The haunting lament to dearly departed loved ones tugs at the heartstrings, especially for those of us currently dealing with separation and loss. 

Yet, grief is a serpentine trickster. For mixed in with the pain is the joy of remembrance. Those bittersweet memories that speak to our core and make us appreciate what was, even as we struggle to somehow process it all. Death, life, memories, meaning, purpose, struggle, and finally the possibility of peace slither through our thoughts. As is often said about many things, "It's complicated". 

This year was filled with loss of many kinds. COVID-19 changed our educational landscape. Children were separated from classmates, teachers, and the school community. However, we all found new ways to connect - remotely through Zoom or in person keeping socially distanced and wearing masks. 

In the midst of all these changes, Kori Rushton of IRT Theater reached out to ask me to partner with her on new project. Our last collaboration was an American Sign Language (ASL) music video for Dear Theodosia from the wildly successful Broadway musical, Hamilton. This time she suggested my first graders record the up-tempo version of Remember Me in ASL and Mexican Sign Language ("legua de señas mexicana" or LSM). I was immediately onboard, so the planning began.

Students sign Recuérdame (Remember Me) in LSM

To start, we needed a Director of Sign Language (DSL) to interpret the song into ASL. Dickie Hearts, an actor, screenwriter, and filmmaker, who is also Deaf, openly gay, and trés charmant was a perfect choice. Dickie recorded his wonderful ASL interpretation and I taught it to the in-person children, while my friend and coworker, Maria, taught the remote students.  

The class embraced this project with gusto. Every morning for weeks we spent time perfecting another line, adding the right facial expression to go with the movements, breaking down a complex sequence, or working on timing and fluency. At night, parents told me their kids reviewed it on their own with unbridled enthusiasm. The project brought excitement and purpose back into the stressful reality of our daily lives. It was something joyful we could create together.

Kori and Dickie enlisted the help of Gabriel Arellano for the LSM translation. Everyone (students included) met for a Zoom workshop with Gabriel to learn general information about LSM and, specifically, how to sign the Spanish verses of the song. 

Recording the song in four languages (English, Spanish, ASL, and LSM) was Kori's idea...and challenge. Miraculously, we pulled it off! Well, we did it with lots of work and lots of practice. As time went on I began to realize just how much I was asking of my students. It was a lot, but they were champs. That was never more apparent than when we started filming. 

Our Director, Alana Campbell (left), setting up a shot

Enter our indefatigable Director/Director of Photography, Alana Campbell. Alana is a documentary filmmaker who's worked at NBC Dateline, NBC News, National Geographic Channel, PBS, Oprah Winfrey Network, and more. She came up with the story or framework to contextualize the song. Her vision placed the lyrics as an ode, not only to lost loved ones, but also the loss of social interaction brought about because of COVID. 

In the video, students begin on Zoom, removed from one another physically. After months cooped up in their apartments they were feeling antsy and restless. The video strives to capture that forlorn period of time, as well as the thrill of being back together once again. As the camera moves back and a row of happy, smiling children stand alongside Dickie signing and dancing, it feels, to me, like an exhale. 

Take a look...

REMEMBER ME | ASL Cover from IRT Theater on Vimeo.

Now watch it again to see if you can spot the Curious George "Easter eggs" I've placed in the background.

Creating Worlds with Daryl Roth

My views on success have changed over time. I used to equate success with money and fame. Those outward manifestations of societal achievement don't necessarily touch the heart, but they are great for fostering a prideful sense of "look at me" whilst walking down a red carpet. I thought attention and admiration from others were the ingredients that made a successful person. It was a child's view on life. An immature, limited outlook that I know some folks never outgrow. 

But, I now gauge success in happiness. Am I joyful? Peaceful? Is it well with my soul? 

There have been many, many people in my life who've served as my teachers in this regard. Sometimes it is the great influencers, like my mom, and sometimes the lessons come from unexpected places. One of the latter happened years ago when I saw an interview with Daryl Roth. I, of course, knew her as a Tony Award winning producer credited with "the singular distinction of producing seven Pulitzer Prize-winning plays".  She even has her own theater! I've been there many times. I knew her as a powerful force on Broadway and imagined she breezily waltzed through life luxuriating in all of the perks pursuant with her achievements. 

And then I watched that interview. 

She spoke with a calm, quiet intensity that seemed to be fueled by love. Hmmm....I was intrigued. I was drawn in and listened to her talk about her passion for theater, for producing projects that meant something to her, for wanting to provide a platform for stories that aren't generally told, and for bringing people together in that glorious space where the audience and performers can share a cathartic or uplifting experience. As she spoke, I remembered why I loved theater so much and why I wanted to be a part of it in the first place. How could someone this outwardly successful still glow with the light of connection to their uncomplicated, grounded truth? 

I realized her success wasn't merely based on or defined by money and fame. It was forged in happiness. She appeared joyful, peaceful. All seemed well with her soul. Evidently, it was possible for both versions of success to be true at once. They weren't necessarily mutually exclusive, but without happiness and purpose, the rest is meaningless. 

That interview, which I cannot locate now, opened my eyes a bit. I read and watched more interviews with her and imagined how incredible it would be to have her share her story with my class of first graders. How could that ever happen? I had no idea, so I kissed it up to the universe and went about my business. 

The years went by and I guess the universe was listening because Daryl Roth joined Broadway Books First Class via Zoom this past May! 

I wanted her to read something special related to creating beautiful worlds from the imagination (as Daryl does in the theater), so I suggested Ocean Meets Sky by The Fan Brothers. The illustrations are breathtaking, magical, awe-inspiring. They take you soaring into places, which are at once strange and familiar. But, for all the eye-popping wonder there is a heartbeat underneath it all. The story is propelled by loss and longing. A young boy dreaming of meeting his beloved grandfather in the mystical place where the ocean meets the sky. 

The book had parallels we could make with Daryl's work as a producer - bringing all the parts together in one place to create a cohesive whole that is meaningful and healing. Just how she does that is something the children wanted to know. What does a producer do? 

Daryl explained that her role is to first find a story that speaks to her in some way and then put together the creative team to bring the story to life on stage. This includes the director, set designers, costume designers, etc. Daryl called them the "family" of a particular show.  A producer, she explained, gets to work with everyone. For someone like her - who has a deep love and passion for the theater, but who isn't a singer, dancer, actor, or director - being a producer is a perfect fit. Her gifts for making things happen is one that suits a producer well! 

Closer Than Ever:
The first show Daryl produced

The children asked how she became a producer. She told them the very first show she produced, Closer Than Ever, came about because a little voice inside of her spoke up. 

Her friend, lyricist Richard Maltby, invited her to a small venue in Greenwich Village to attend a presentation of some new songs he'd written. As she watched, the songs spoke to her in a way that felt personal. She envisioned the songs "coming together into a beautiful musical evening, a real show". 

Afterwards, she shared her thoughts of producing it and things took off from there. She learned on her feet, pushing forward with a belief in herself and in the work. Those are important lessons young children need to hear/see again and again. 

The students also asked about accessibility for audience members who are deaf and hard of hearing. How do producers do this? Daryl advocates for ASL interpreted performances and believes more of them will be offered in the future. Producers also sometimes provide scripts upon request, so audience members can become familiar with the material beforehand. Interestingly, Daryl supports Deaf West Theatre (they put on successful Broadway revivals of Big River and Spring Awakening). Side note: Our school is planning a collaboration with Deaf West next spring! 

Some in-person students hold up their copies of Ocean Meets Sky (personalized by Daryl Roth)

She's currently producing a riveting show called Blindness. It's a perfect theatrical offering in this time of restricted activity due to COVID. However, I am most excited about Between the Lines. I mean, it makes sense. It's got Broadway. Books. Class. :) And I really want to look into providing opportunities for my students to attend children's show performances at the Daryl Roth Theatre. After all, it's only 8 blocks away from our school!

Our Zoom visit lasted almost an hour. That's a long time for young children, but as Daryl told us, when you are doing something you love you stay energized and engaged. We loved our time with her. She is an extraordinary person to interview because she was game to answer all our questions and always had an additional something special to interject into the conversation. 

New York City school kids are blessed with a great many cultural opportunities. I am so grateful to Daryl Roth for opening her heart, sharing her success, and allowing us to step into that magical space where new worlds are created. The place where the ocean meets the sky. 

A child's thank you card for Daryl Roth showing all of us sitting in front of the TV during our Zoom session.