- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Jodie Mahony Center receives nearly $2.5 million STEM grant

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 13:14:34 +0000

The Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received nearly $2.5 million to develop and implement a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program that identifies and serves academically promising second- and third-grade students in Arkansas.�� Funded by a five-year $2,449,587 grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the STEM+C2 program is designed to identify promising students through universal screening and provide services to gifted and talented second- and third-grade students, including students from underrepresented populations.�� “The STEM+C2 team assembled across three universities is a thrilling powerhouse of women devoted to developing academic and creative STEM talents in young children,” said Dr. Ann Robinson, director of the Jodie Mahony Center and principal investigator of the grant. “The current grant is the third in a series and builds on both STEM Starters and STEM Starters+. We published several research studies documenting the effectiveness of this intervention. In fact, one study, ‘,’ received two awards for research excellence. When we complete STEM+C2, we will have been funded for 15 years to develop, research, and disseminate an effective STEM intervention in elementary schools.” STEM+C2 is the third five-year grant Jodie Mahony Center researchers have received through the, which emphasizes serving traditionally underrepresented students in gifted and talented services to reduce the�� gap in achievement among groups of students at the highest levels of performance. The Jodie Mahony Center will provide elementary students with the tools and resources they need to succeed in computer science, engineering, and science with creativity and innovation. Through professional development, STEM+C2 will prepare second- and third-grade teachers in gifted, creative, and talented education with summer institutes and academic year support.�� Fellow researchers on the grant include Dr. Jill Adelson, research scientist with Duke University’s Talent Identification Program; Dr. Christine Cunningham, professor of education and engineering at Penn State University; Kristy Kidd, project director in the Jodie Mahony Center, and Dr. Christine Deitz, associate director of the Jodie Mahony Center. “The STEM+C2 project will empower over 100 teachers to engage students in creative and innovative curriculum connected to STEM and computer science education,” Deitz said. “This exciting intervention is designed to develop learning talent in the primary grades and help teachers spot potential in young learners; especially children from low-income families and in populations who are traditionally underrepresented in gifted programs.”�� The program’s professional development component will equip teachers with content related to STEM disciplines, strategies to identify promising students from underrepresented groups, a STEM+C2 toolkit with engineering design challenges and computer science explorations, and support for National Board Teacher Certification. The program will also prepare teachers to implement “Blueprints for Biography: Computer Science Series,” developed by researchers at the Jodie Mahony Center. The series features STEM innovators Grace Hopper, a pioneer of computer programming; Ada King, an English mathematician and Countess of Lovelace; and Raye Montague, the 2019 recipient of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Fribourgh Award who created the first computer-generated rough draft of a U.S. naval ship. Over the course of the grant, the program will serve nearly 1,400 second- and third-grade students, 60 classroom teachers, 30 gifted education teachers, and 30 elementary school principals across two cohorts at 30 elementary schools in the state.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Jodie Mahony Center receives $55k grant to provide workshops for Arkansas teachers

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 13:13:42 +0000

The Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a $55,241 grant from the Arkansas Department of Education to provide workshops and training to candidates seeking National Board Teacher Certification.�� The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving effectiveness in education and teaching. Offering 25 areas of certification, NBPTS is the most respected professional certification available to teachers serving in K-12 education. “This is the highest level of professional development a teacher can attain,” said Dr. Christine Deitz, associate director of the Jodie Mahony Center. “It’s like passing the bar for a lawyer, and is the most meaningful professional development a classroom teacher can go through. What the process does for learning is no less than remarkable! The proof is in the students.” Earning the National Board Teacher Certification is a vigorous process that can take 1-3 years. Teachers complete a comprehensive exam of content knowledge and a portfolio emphasizing three classroom components. �� “The National Board Teacher Certification site at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, which Christine Deitz leads, works with teachers across all 25 areas of certification,” said Dr. Ann Robinson, director of the Jodie Mahony Center. “She works with a team of 16 expert teachers.” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock currently serves more than 130 teachers annually and is the largest support site in the state. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock is the reason we are able to achieve this,” Deitz said. “We receive amazing support from the School of Education. Dean Ann Bain and Bruce Smith of the School of Education have continued to support this program by making sure that facilities and personnel, are available. That level of support is critical ��if you want to have the largest and best National Board Teacher Certification site in the state. It takes all hands on deck.” The grant will cover expenses related to the support and training of candidates working toward National Board Teacher Certification. These workshops, which are held twice a month until May, will provide essential knowledge and skills associated with accomplished and effective teaching. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock facilitators will also offer two one-day Saturday workshops in May and June to help candidates complete their application for the Arkansas Department of Education’s National Board Candidate funding. “We are here to support teachers very passionately, very sincerely in their efforts to achieve National Board Certification,” Deitz said. “The state recognizes certification as a very important professional process that has a direct and positive impact on student learning. ��The process also develops teacher leaders. The state offers a yearly bonus to National Board teachers, and some districts offer an extra salary incentive.” Teachers interested in taking National Board Certification for up to nine hours of graduate credit can contact the Jodie Mahony Center at 501-569-3410 for more information.

Gifted education, STEM equals winning combination for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock teacher

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 30 May 2018 13:56:30 +0000

As a gifted education professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with more than a decade of experience, Dr. Bronwyn MacFarlane is always looking for ways to share the gift of education.�� In the past 15 years, MacFarlane has taken note of the increased demand for more Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. She believes that combining the lessons of gifted education is the way to make a winning formula for providing great STEM education. “STEM education has been a hot topic for 12 to 15 years now,” she said. “Some teachers may find themselves tasked with starting a STEM program. There is a lot to think about. How do I begin? What are the materials to use? To offer STEM programs is important, but you want to deliver high-quality STEM programs that will offer students an advanced understanding in STEM topics. That is what we can learn from the field of gifted education – ways to deliver curriculum and instruction in powerful, quality, and best-practice strategies.” MacFarlane recently explored this topic by serving as a guest editor of the Roeper Review, an academic journal. The special issue explored integrating STEM education with gifted curriculum. The refereed articles in the special issue explored curriculum planning in STEM education, robotics programs, how to integrate the arts into STEM education, measurement of the success of academic programs, and international STEM education programs. “Serving as guest editor is an important scholarly task as the guest editor identifies a specific topic that needs to be further addressed in a special publication. Before this special issue came out, I led the creation of a 2016 book titled It has been well received as a guidebook for educators and also translated into Arabic,” she said. “This special spring journal issue of Roeper Review takes it a step further with the latest research that has focused on integrating STEM and gifted education practices, so it moves us forward in understanding what works and how educators can offer programs that are really high-quality and powerful learning experiences.” MacFarlane pointed to the Girls in STEM Leadership Conference on campus as an example of a high-quality and powerful learning experience that promotes STEM education. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock STEM Education Center hosted three conferences during the spring 2018 semester for hundreds of girls in the seventh and eighth grades. MacFarlane served as a guest speaker on a panel discussion led by women working in STEM fields. “I spoke to the girls about my work as an educator and a scholar. I described research findings about characteristics of successful achievers and how we can learn from patterns of success,” she said. “We had a really enthusiastic response from all the students in attendance. They wanted to know how we successfully achieved our goals so they could do that for their own personal journeys.” MacFarlane also serves as the nationally elected chair of the with more than 1,000 members in the National Association for Gifted Children. She is continuing to add to the body of research for gifted education with a new book coming out this summer, The new 2018 book focuses on how to serve high-ability learners in specialized schools and deliver school-wide educational change.

College of Education and Health Professions recognizes top students, employees, and friends

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 21 May 2018 13:25:31 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s College of Education and Health Professions recently celebrated it’s top students, employees, and community supporters at the college’s annual awards ceremony.�� Abby Baldwin, of the School of Counseling, Human Performance, and Rehabilitation, received the Outstanding Student Award for a student earning an associate degree. Roger Powell, of the School of Social Work, received the Outstanding Student Award for a bachelor’s student. Meanwhile, Derenda Alexander, a master’s student in the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, won the Outstanding Master’s Student Award. Finally, Hsin-Wei Huang, a doctoral student in the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, won the Outstanding Doctoral Student Award. In faculty and staff awards, Dr. Shannon Collier-Tenison and Dr. Kim Jones, both of the School of Social Work, were honored with the Dean’s Award. Additionally, Dr. Bruce Smith from the School of Education received the Faculty Above and Beyond Award. Kristy Kidd, program director of the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted and Talented Education, received the Trojan Excellence Award. The college’s Faculty Excellence Award winners included Dr. Amanda Nolen, School of Education, for public research; Dr. Glenn Anderson, School of Counseling, Human Performance, and Rehabilitation, for service; and Dr. Bruce Smith, School of Education, for teaching. Each of the college’s academic departments, schools, and centers honored Friends of the College, an individual or organization that is recognized for their outstanding service and commitment to the College of Education and Health Professions. The Friends of the College include:

Friend of the Audiology and Speech Pathology Department: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 12th Street Clinic and Rev. Gwen Fry of St. Mathew’s Episcopal Church
Friend of the School of Counseling, Human Performance, and Rehabilitation: Barrett Allen, director of University District
Friend of the School of Education: Terese Oliver and Joy Thompson, instructional specialists at Pulaski Heights Middle School
Friend of the Department of Nursing: Becky Russell of Baptist Health Systems
Friend of the School of Social Work: Laura Generou
Friend of the Advising and Support Center: Arkansas Chapter Board and volunteers of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Friend of the Center for Literacy: Dr. Karen Scott, director of elementary learning and federal programs for Ozark Public Schools
Friend of EAST Scholars: Ryan Davis of Children International
Friend of the Jodie Mahony Center: David Hendricks, school performance specialist and legislative advocate, and Empowering and Energizing Education in North Little Rock
Friend of MidSOUTH: Arkansas Drug Director Kirk Lane
Friend of STEM Education Center: Jane Hurley of Central Arkansas Water

Dr. Greg Robinson served as chairperson of the College of Education and Health Professions Awards Committee. Drs. Catherine Crisp, Bill Garner, Melissa Reeves, Ann Robinson, Linda Dorn, and Heather Reed also served on the committee.

Registration open for gifted and talented youth summer SLUFY program

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 14:54:04 +0000

The Summer Laureate University for Youth (SLUFY) program is accepting applications for this year’s educational event for high-ability students in kindergarten through eighth grade.�� This summer’s programming is set to run 12:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. daily from July 9-20. Now in its 39th year, SLUFY is a program of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education that gives high-ability students the opportunity to explore their interests and talents through classes in a variety of subjects. Students also will meet other talented students, forging friendships that last long beyond the summer program. Certified master teachers, graduate students in gifted and talented education, and other experts enthusiastically help these youths learn and grow in new, exciting ways. Courses offered involve fun, hands-on activities in math, science, the arts, social studies, and language arts, all targeted to specific age groups. Kindergarteners will explore the world of “creepy crawlies,” including the anatomy of bugs and insect habitats. They also will go on a world tour, exploring the history and languages of Mexico, Brazil, Egypt, Kenya, Germany, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Australia, and Canada. First- and second-graders can learn how to cook mac n’ cheese, cobbler, and other food favorites during a power outage by harnessing the power of the sun and creating a solar oven, while third- and fourth-graders see how NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory engineer rovers are used to explore faraway worlds. Additional courses will explore engineering, oceanography, paleontology, superheroes, art, and Mexican culture. Students in fifth and sixth grade can learn the ropes of being a science fiction writer, learn about spies, espionage, and secret codes in the “Incognito” class, and explore the popularity of the escape room in “The Great Escape.” Seventh- and eighth-graders can learn how to defend themselves from zombies and survive an invasion during a zombie apocalypse, learn about great storytelling masters like Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman, and explore the world of musical theater through “Broadway Academy.” The cost to attend SLUFY is a $25 application fee and a $275 tuition fee, which includes all supplies and materials, field trips, and a T-shirt. Applications can be filled out online, emailed to giftedcenter@ualr.edu, or mailed to the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Jodie Mahony Center, 2801 S. University Ave., S��Vlog��ý 101, Little Rock, AR 72204. Scholarships that cover $200 of the program tuition are available for applicants who demonstrate financial need. Applications for the Martha Gaunt Bass Scholarship are due by Monday, May 14. For a full list of courses, to inquire about scholarships, or to register online, check out the Summer Laureate University for Youth website or call 501-569-3410.

Grant brings beloved musical theatre program to life

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 13:10:32 +0000

After a 15-year absence, a beloved musical theatre enrichment program returned to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, thanks to a grant from the Arkansas Department of Education.�� Hosted by the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education, “MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience” provided a unique opportunity for high-ability and gifted students to learn about musical theater, stagecraft, and civics June 26-30 at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. It was funded by an Academic Enrichment for the Gifted and Talented in the Summer grant. “To us, this program was an exciting opportunity to bring a very missed student enrichment program back to campus,” said Dr. Christine Deitz, program director. “The Jodie Mahony Center was beyond thrilled to offer this program again to Arkansas students.” Program participant Margaret Rood, a rising ninth-grader at Malvern High School, spent much of her life dreaming of becoming an actor. Growing up in the small town of Malvern, Rood didn’t know other aspiring actors. When ��Vlog��ý Little Rock hosted a musical theatre program for seventh- and eighth-graders in Arkansas, Rood jumped at the chance to get a taste of acting life during “MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience.” “This was my favorite thing to do all summer,” Rood said. “Musical people are a very small niche in my hometown. It was great to be surrounded by like-minded people.” After participating in the camp, Rood plans to pursue acting and theater opportunities in Little Rock to give her more experience before college. During the program, students attended civics and musical theatre history classes to learn about the history behind the Broadway play. Students studied aspects of Greek theater, Shakespeare, and modern theater. In civics class, participants discussed immigration, citizenship, and the Bill of Rights. “You could see the talent, passion, and commitment of these children in their eyes from the moment they came to campus,” Deitz said. “It reminded me of why I came into teaching.” At the end of the week, participants performed music and choreography inspired by the Broadway hit, “Hamilton: An American Musical,” during a June 30 student showcase in University Theatre on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. Gabbie Stokes, a rising ninth-grader from Ozark, was thrilled to play the characters of Thomas Jefferson and Lafayette. “I have never done theatre or drama before,” Stokes said. “This camp was the highlight of my summer.” Participating students include:

��Emma Barrett of Jonesboro
��Trinity Bell of Little Rock
��Tyler Childers of DeWitt
��Taryn Oitker of Cabot
��Grayson Siebert of Blytheville
��Makiya Stuffs of Little Rock
��Kennedy Arnold of Little Rock
��Eva Grace Barrett of Jonesboro
��Lucy Box of Jonesboro
��Taylor Chandler of Huntsville
��Rachel Estep of Springdale
��JahLayae Freeman of Jacksonville
��Mia Hartley of Texarkana
��Alexandra Lanier of Alexander
��Zaria Montgomery of North Little Rock ��
��Margaret Rood of Malvern
��Gabriella Stokes of Ozark
��Emily Wheat of Sheridan
��Benjamin Wilson of Texarkana
��Alexandria Wright of Jonesboro

Students and staff involved in “MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience” include: Front row (L to R): Dr. Christine Deitz, Sara Cooke, Dorothy Gantz, Dr. I. J. Routen, and Laura Dowling. Second row: TeLeah Allen, Alexandra Lanier, Trinity Bell, Makiya Stubbs, Gabriella Stokes, Blair King, Tyler Childers, Eva Grace Barrett, and Alexandra Wright. Third row: Tyler Chandler, Emily Wheat, Kennedy Arnold, Mia Hartley, JahLeah Freeman, Lucy Box, and Taryn Oitker. Fourth row: Rachel Estep, Zaria Montgomery, Tripp Wilson, Grayson Seibert, Margaret Rood, and Emma Barrett.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock grad Romona Cheneval named director of gifted programs for Little Rock School District

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 13:30:23 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock alumnae with nearly 25 years experience in education was recently named the director of gifted programs for .�� Romona Cheneval, a 1996 graduate of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with a Master of Education degree, started overseeing all gifted education program services in June. More than 5,200 students participate in gifted and talented education programming and Advanced Placement classes in the Little Rock School District. “I count several accomplishments as hallmarks of my career, including serving as president of AGATE (Arkansans for Gifted and Talented Education), becoming an administrator, and now serving as the gifted programs director for the largest school district in the state,” she said. Her first task will be to help with SPARK, Little Rock School District’s summer academy for gifted and talented students in second through fifth grade. For three weeks in June and July, more than 150 students will participate in an engaging learning experience designed to meet the unique interests and skills of gifted learners. After spending the past two years as principal of Carver Magnet Elementary School in Little Rock, Cheneval is glad to get back to her roots in gifted and talented education. “By serving as an elementary principal and curriculum coordinator, I have gained an appreciation and insight into the demands of meeting the many, varied needs of all students,” she said. “This has also given me a different perspective of how gifted education fits into the overall tapestry of education. I am looking forward to providing support to students, teachers, and fellow administrators in my new role to assure that the services provided truly support the unique needs of gifted students.” After earning her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Southern Arkansas University, Cheneval spent 21 years working as the gifted and talented/advanced placement coordinator for the Crossett School District, a small school district in the southeastern part of the state with about 1,900 students. In 1993, she enrolled as a part-time graduate student at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, driving nearly three hours back and forth on weekends and during summers to earn her master’s degree. Her parents instilled a strong work ethic and always encouraged her to continue her education “I am the first person in my family to graduate from college,” she said. “My parents were strong supporters of getting an education, and using that education to help others.” Dr. Ann Robinson, director of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education, remembers Cheneval as an enthusiastic young teacher who would stay at her house while taking classes at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “I first met Romona as a young teacher who wanted to be licensed in gifted, talented, and creative education,” Robinson said. “She was an excellent graduate student with curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, an adviser’s dream really. Over the years, I’ve watched Romona grow into a leader in gifted education in the state, and now she will lead the largest set of programs and services for talented kids in Arkansas. She’s knowledgeable, gracious, and an inspiration to others, including me.” In her nearly 25 years in education, Cheneval has advocated for gifted and talented education in the state. At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, she has worked with the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education and has both taught in Summer Laureate University for Youth (SLUFY) and supervised aspiring teachers in the program. She has been an active member of Arkansas for Gifted and Talented Education, serving as organization president, district director, and conference chair. She still serves on the organization’s legislative committee and helped hire the legislative advocate. “It’s important to advocate on behalf of gifted students,” Cheneval said. “Often, their needs may be overlooked. The state is looking toward assuring that all students are growing to fulfill their potential. We want to make sure there are always opportunities for gifted students to excel.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host ‘Hamilton’-inspired student showcase

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 18:24:15 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host a student showcase featuring music inspired by the breakout Broadway hit, “Hamilton,” on Friday, June 30.�� About 25 students from Arkansas will perform five songs adapted from “Hamilton” at 2 p.m. June 30 in the University Theatre in the Center for Performing Arts on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. The event is free and open to the public. The students are participants in “MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience,” a one-week summer enrichment program for seventh- and eighth-graders that focuses on musical theater and stagecraft. The Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education camp is funded by an Arkansas Department of Education Academic Enrichment for the Gifted and Talented in the Summer grant. Participating students include: Emma Barrett of Jonesboro; Trinity Bell of Little Rock; Tyler Childers of DeWitt; Taryn Oitker of Cabot; Grayson Siebert of Blytheville; Makiya Stuffs of Little Rock; Kennedy Arnold of Little Rock; Eva Grace Barrett of Jonesboro; Lucy Box of Jonesboro; Taylor Chandler of Huntsville; Rachel Estep of Springdale; JahLayae Freeman of Jacksonville; Mia Hartley of Texarkana; Kelly Issac of Augusta; Blair King of Scott; Alexandra Lanier of Alexander; Zaria Montgomery of North Little Rock; Margaret Rood of Malvern; Gabriella Stokes of Ozark; Emily Wheat of Sheridan; Benjamin Wilson of Texarkana; and Alexandria Wright of Jonesboro. Program staff include Dorothy Gantz, principal; Sara Crooke, musical theatre teacher; Dr. I.J. Routen, music director; Laura Dowling, stagecraft director; Dr. Christine Deitz, program director; and Krista Smith, program coordinator. For more information, contact Christine Dietz at the Jodie Mahony Center at 501.569.3410.

Collaboration to provide gifted and talented training for Pulaski Heights Middle School teachers

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 10 May 2017 16:21:39 +0000

Teachers from Pulaski Heights Middle School are going back to school at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to learn how to more effectively teach gifted and talented middle school students in mathematics and literacy.�� The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education and the are teaming up to provide the teachers training though the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock School of Education’s gifted and talented licensure program. “Training teachers in gifted, talented, and creative instruction and services is a hallmark of districts who are interested in advancing the performance and engagement of all students,” said Dr. Ann Robinson, director of the Jodie Mahony Center. �� The online program offers dynamic coursework through which teachers will learn a broad range of skills for teaching advanced children, including identifying talents, designing and implementing curriculum, and addressing social and emotional needs. “Keeping advanced students engaged and making learning gains through the middle school years is critical to preparing them for bright futures,” said Dr. Christine Deitz, associate director of the Jodie Mahony Center. The Little Rock School District is covering the cost of tuition and fees so more teachers and students can benefit from the program. The collaboration began when Principal Darryl Powell started researching ways to keep his students and teachers at Pulaski Heights Middle School motivated and performing well. The school was recently recognized as an “Achieving School” as determined by results from the 2015-2016 ACT Aspire, a standardized test measuring how student perform in math and reading. Powell met with Robinson, Deitz, Jennifer Thomas, coordinator for Gifted Secondary Programs at Little Rock School District, and Dr. Daniel Whitehorn, associate superintendent of secondary education for the Little Rock School District. Joy Thompson, a sixth-grade English teacher at Pulaski Heights, is excited about the opportunity to enhance her teaching by earning the licensure. “I’m looking forward to learning unique strategies and approaches to help foster my students’ gifts in such a way that will cultivate and enhance their learning,” Thompson said. Dr. John Kuykendall, director of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s School of Education, is looking forward to the partnership and a continued relationship with the Little Rock School District. “The School of Education program in gifted and creative education is uniquely positioned to develop Pulaski Heights Middle School teachers’ classroom instruction for advanced learners,” Kuykendall said. Pictured in the upper right photo, from��left to right, back row: Terese Oliver and Holly Wolfe; Front row: Jennifer Thomas, Dr. Christine Deitz, Dr. Ann Robinson, and Darryl Powell.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host “Hamilton”-inspired musical theatre program

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 16:59:59 +0000

The Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education at the University for Arkansas at Little Rock will hold a musical theatre program inspired by the breakout Broadway hit “Hamilton.”�� “Mt Stage: The Hamilton Experience” will take place 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 26-30. The program is open to 30 seventh- and eighth-graders who will choose between the “performance and musicality track” and the “stagecraft and engineering” track. “It is a unique opportunity for high-ability students to express creativity in musical theater, stagecraft, and civics,” said Ann Robinson, director of the Jodie Mahony Center. During the program, students will work together to stage, create costumes, and perform musical numbers inspired by “Hamilton.” The week will conclude with a special performance led by the participants. Activities will include historical analysis of creative trends in musical theater and analysis of selected scenes from “Hamilton.” Students will participate in “Talk Back” sessions where they meet performers and stage professionals from the Arkansas Repertory Theater, Murray’s Dinner Playhouse, The Main Thing, The Studio Theater, Argenta Community Theater, and the Red Curtain Theater. The enrichment program is free to all participants, funded by an Academic Enrichment for the Gifted and Talented in the Summer (AEGIS) grant from the Arkansas Department of Education. Applications are due April 17. Applications can be found at ualr.edu/gifted. For more information, contact the Jodie Mahony Center at 501.569.3410 or visit the website.

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Jodie Mahony Center receives nearly $2.5 million STEM grant

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Jodie Mahony Center receives $55k grant to provide workshops for Arkansas teachers

Gifted education, STEM equals winning combination for ����Vlog��ý Little Rock teacher