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All The World's A Stage
Views: 980Added: Thu. May 14, 2009 9:16pm
Posted in: Arts
All The World's A Stage- I've been dancing, singing, acting, making art and telling stories since I was 4 years old. When I saw my parents going through a divorce at such a young age, performing was a perfect opportunity to express myself in a healthy way. When I was doing any of these things I didn't have to think about how dad was never home and when he was, how I was terrified of him. At school and at dance classes, my teachers praised me for my hard work. I felt free. As I grew older, the intensity with which I performed grew as well. If ever I had a problem I could leave it on the floor, in a song, in a scene, in a picture or on a page. For that moment in time I was allowed to be me, not anyone else's expectation of what a kid was supposed to be.
As an adult, I use the arts in the same manner. A form of healthy expression. They have helped me build self confidence and become a risk taker. I have little fear because I knew that no matter the outcome of a life choice I could always use it in my art.
When I hear about arts programs getting cut from schools, it both saddens and angers me. We'll never know how many kids lives are effected by the loss of such teaching. It has been proven that children who play an instrument do better in math. The arts expand the mind of a child past text books. They have given birth to some of the world's geniuses. Picasso, Baryshnikov, Michael Jackson, Stephen King, Walt Disney: think of where we'd be if none of these people ever had the chance to take an art class, a dance class, a music class, a writing course, or to create that little mouse that has turned into an empire of entertainment. I'm glad my mother encouraged me to express myself. I'm so thankful she drove me to classes 5/6 days a week. I am so much better for it. This is why I teach today. This is why I give back what was given to me.
~ELIZABETH WHITTEMORE
Elizabeth Whitte...
Bolder Broadcasting, Inc. ©2006-2012 Bolder Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Bill Shafer
GB Staff
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Posted 9:37am May 18th, 2009Doesn't it seem that schools worry so much about shoving facts into kids heads that they don't have time to INSPIRE, or MOTIVATE our kids.
Ginger!
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Posted 12:23am May 17th, 2009I totally agree with Ann. And I applaud you, Elizabeth, not only for taking a terrible situation and finding a way to make it bearable, but for putting your life....and keeping it on a positive course at the same time. Each of us are given our crosses to bear in life. How we deal with them is what separates us. Some people become martyrs and blame the rest of the world for all their problems; while others take the challenge and conquer it, making themselves that much stronger. I always admire those who are the conquerors, because they chose not to take the easy way out.
Ann
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Posted 12:25pm May 16th, 2009That's a great story. If kids were involved more in the arts maybe we wouldn't have so many that end up in jails, on drugs and on the street.