On Jan. 8, every fourth-grader attending school on St. John will get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: the chance to learn acting, singing, dancing, and stagecraft from two Broadway professionals and then put on a gala performance for their community.
It’s part of “Broadway Comes to St. John,” an intensive two-week program sponsored by the St. John School of the Arts, which culminates in the school’s major fundraising event.
Tickets to the Saturday, January 27 “Angel Show” are $250 and are available on the school’s website.
Tickets include admission to the exclusive performance, a wine tasting prior to the show, a cocktail hour, an auction, and a hand-selected dinner at one of St. John’s many contributing restaurants, including 18º64º, Extra Virgin, Hinds@Meada’s Plaza, La Tapa, Morgan’s Mango, Rum Hut and others.
This year’s show, “The Missing Map: A Journey Around the World,” is an original production created by Andrew J. Hanley and Suzanna Dupree, the directors of last year’s show.
Hanley is a composer, music director, teaching artist, and music therapist based in New York City who brings more than 13 years of experience making theater with kids of all ages.
Dupree, who began her career touring nationally and internationally with A Chorus Line, has served as a judge for multiple dance competition circuits and taught masterclasses at schools and studios around the world.
The two directors arrive on St. John with a script, props, and everything they need to direct 35 fourth-graders attending the Julius E. Sprauve School, the Gifft Hill School, the St. John Christian Academy, and home-schooled children.
The students will spend a week in their classrooms learning their parts and then come together during the second week in the School of the Arts’ intimate, well-equipped performance space.
In addition to providing the children with valuable experience in the performing arts, the program also teaches youngsters the importance of listening, following directions and teamwork.
“Broadway is a truly transformative program for students,” said Jeune´Provost, executive director of the SJSA. “We’re excited to see how the students blossom throughout their experience and share this splendor with the community.”
Parents are invited to attend a performance of the show on Fri., Jan. 26. A limited number of tickets to this show will be available to the public at the door for $25.
Now in its 43rd year, SJSA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “empower the island’s youth and their families through our passion for music, dance, theatre, and the visual arts.” Tickets to “Broadway Comes to St. John” are fully tax-deductible.
For further information, please contact the St. John School of the Arts at 340-779-4322.
