Welcome to PLAYBILLDER Spotlight, where Playbill highlights shows from educational institutions or regional theatres and special events around the country (who have used Playbill's program-building service). By welcoming these PLAYBILLDERs center stage, we hope to give our readers a more in-depth look at theatre programs that are fostering the love of the performing arts in the next generation and the way theatre lovers are bringing Playbill along for life's big moments.
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This week's Spotlight is Lawrence Orr Elementary School of Charlotte, North Carolina, and their production of Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. Based on the Emmy Award-winning educational cartoon series, the musical revue follows a young schoolteacher nervous about his first day. While watching tv as a means to relax his nerves, various characters come out of the screen to encourage him with spirit and song.
Director Bruce Becker shared with Playbill how the performing arts are helping his students improve academically and how his former students are performing all over the world.
Tell us a little about yourself. How many years have you been teaching?
Bruce Becker: I have been teaching for 32 years. I am currently the music teacher at Lawrence Orr Elementary in Charlotte, North Carolina, where I started an after-school musical theatre club last year.
What is your proudest moment as an educator?
My proudest moments as an educator are when past students go on to professional roles in music. I started as an orchestra teacher and taught orchestra for 25 years. I have students in orchestras all over the world, including one in Germany playing double bass and several in New York City.
What are the most challenging and most rewarding aspects of teaching the performing arts to today’s students?
I love watching students grow from theatre. I just wish I could do more. We currently do not have funding, so I have been [running the after-school musical theatre club] for free.
Tell us a little bit about the production. What made you pick the show? How do you choose shows for your students?
I picked Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. for three reasons. First, the songs are educational songs that I taught the entire school. Second, my current school is 65 percent Latinx. We have over 30 countries represented in our student body, so it's a real melting pot. Thirdly, I love the songs!
What are the kids loving about the show?
The kids have really enjoyed learning these songs. I have several students who struggle academically and this has helped them in all their academic subjects.
How did the students participate in the design or production of this Playbill?
This year, the students did not participate in the design of the Playbill. Our amazing art teacher drew this design for our t-shirt. I loved it so much, I used it! I already hung up this Playbill outside my classroom and not only do the students in the Playbill love it, but the several students, teachers, and staff have also made lots of positive complements.
How has PLAYBILLDER impacted your performing arts program as a resource?
This is an easy question. I love the fact that we can make these Playbills. I learned about PLAYBILLDER over 10 years ago at the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta. I have been using this resource since then and have told many teachers to use this resource as well.
To design Broadway-quality programs for your next show, head to PLAYBILLDER.com. Who knows, you might just be featured in our next PLAYBILLDER Spotlight! And if you are looking for a beautiful way to display your Playbills, click here to purchase Playbill frames.
