Meet the Ordway Education: Online Teaching Artists!

Our Education team and roster of teaching artists are committed to delivering the best in Arts Education to your students!

Read on to learn a bit more about each teaching artist:

Rush Benson is an actor, dancer, teacher, musician, and choreographer originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 2013, Benson graduated from Gustavus Adolphus and received degrees in Theater and Dance. Most recently seen in Mamma Mia at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, past projects have taken him to venues such as the Guthrie, the Ordway, Park Square Theatre, Artistry, Cowles Center, Southwest Theater Company, The Red Eye, and across the globe. He also works as a dance teacher for the Guthrie’s Education Program, Cowles Center, Zenon Dance Company, and directs and choreographs for many schools in the Twin Cities area. His teaching style is focused on unlocking your own sense of internal rhythm and finding ways to be as expressive as humanly possible. Additionally, he is an avid fun lover and adventure enthusiast. Obligatory Social Media References (Instagram/twitter: @shutuprush)

Reese Britts ORDWAY: Ordway Cabaret: Gotta Dance!, Smokey Joe's Cafe and Mamma Mia!. Guthrie Theater: South Pacific. Jungle Theater: Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley. Artistry: A New Brain, Footloose. Lyric Arts: RENT, Young Frankenstein, Hairspray. Dangerous Productions: Spring Awakening. Training: BFA Musical Theatre, University of Minnesota Duluth. Upcoming: Artistry: Mame. "Let's Dance!"

Gabrielle Dominique A South Minneapolis native, she graduated from St. Olaf College in 2017, where she earned bachelor's degrees in Theatre & Dance. Since graduating, she has had the privilege of working as both a performing and teaching artist. When she isn't on stage, she spends her time working with the theater students of Spring Lake Park School District 16, Anoka Middle School for the Arts, and SOAR Regional Arts in St. Michael, MN as resident choreographer. She is also fortunate to have shared her work with several Twin Cities companies, including Ordway, Guthrie Theater, Minnesota Opera, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Children's Theatre Company, Wonderlust Productions, Theatre Latté Da, Artistry, Playwrights' Center, Flying Foot Forum, and Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater. She thanks her family and partner Patrick for their constant love and support. Enjoy - 5, 6, 7, 8!

Ivory Doublette has performed regionally with MainStreet Theatre in Rancho Cucamonga, CA; The Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, IL; and locally with Jungle Theater, Theater Latté Da, Penumbra Theatre, Ordway Center, Park Square Theatre, The Playwrights Center, History Comes to Life, Intermedia Arts, Children’s Theatre Company, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Old Log Theatre, Nautilus Music-Theater, Interact Theater and Illusion Theatre. Ivory is a Faculty member at MacPhail Center for Music. She also sings with her family’s Gospel Quartet, SeVy (Say-V) sevygospelquartet.com. Ivory has a Bachelors in Theatre Arts from the University Of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She is an AEA member

Will Dusek is humbled and excited to be making his Ordway debut! He has been involved in theatrical productions since he was in seventh grade at Nativity of Our Lord grade school, through high school at Cretin-Derham Hall, and now continuing into his education at Illinois Wesleyan University. Some of his past credits include Jesus ( Jesus Christ Superstar) ,Billy Lawlor ( 42nd Street), originating the role of Jack Hart ( Aces in a City of Gold by Travis Ulrich), and originating the role of Evan (Devil’s Advocate by Sam Hulsizer) . Will is currently a rising sophomore at Illinois Wesleyan and pursuing his BFA in Music Theatre. He sends all of his love and gratitude to his family, the CDH Theatre Department, his friends at home in Minnesota, and all of his friends and professors at IWU! @willdusek

Vanessa Gamble has worked with just about every major theater company in the Twin Cities, including the Ordway on a number of different shows, although her favorite Ordway show OBVIOUSLY was when she helped workshop a brand new musical with the one and only Dolly Parton. She also co-founded and co-produces 2 theater companies with her husband Jeremiah and she begat 3 kids who are all (seemingly) turning out to be pretty great humans. She teaches voice lessons and song writing to all ages, from ultra beginners to ultra professionals. Check out what she’s doing next at www.bucketbrigadetheater.com.

Renee Guittar ORDWAY: In The Heights, A Chorus Line. Chanhassen Dinner Theatres: Disney's Beauty & The Beast, Camelot, Grease, Newsies, Holiday Inn, Mamma Mia!. Guthrie: The Music Man. The Old Log Theater: The Wedding Singer. Collide Theatrical Dance Company: Lot of Livin’ To Do, The Belmont Hotel, Class of ‘85, Zoot Suit Riots, C.L.U., Dracula, Romeo & Juliet. The Magic of Jared Sherlock: National Tour. Teaching: Ashley Ballet Arts Academy, Cowles Center Teaching Artist. Training: Gustavus Adolphus College. Member of Actor’s Equity.

Chloe Hart graduated from Simley High School in 2019, where she was heavily involved in student council, was German Club President, played volleyball, and participated in the theatre and choir programs. Simley participated in the Spotlight Showcase every summer, and Chloe was a five time recipient of the highest ranking, Outstanding in a Leading Role. Some of their favorite roles include Amber Von Tussle (Hairspray), Cinderella (Into The Woods), Hope Harcourt (Anything Goes), Tin Man (Wizard of Oz), Sandy (Grease), Wednesday Addams (The Addams Family), and Tony (West Side Story). After auditioning, Chloe was chosen to be a Triple Threat finalist in 2018, and was a Triple Threat Winner in 2019! Chloe is so excited and thankful to be making her Ordway debut!

Paul Hill graduated from the University of MN - Twin Cities in 2000 with a Masters Degree in Percussion Performance, as a student of Fernando Meza. Since then he has become an active freelance percussionist and teacher in the Twin Cities, and Twin Ports areas. He is the former Principal Percussionist & Assistant Principal Timpanist of the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, as well as having played with the Minnesota Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Winnipeg Symphony, and may local theaters including the Guthrie, Children's Theater, and Chanhassen Dinner Theater. Paul also plays drum set with various local big-bands, and a Radiohead Tribute band. Paul teaches at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Olaf College, as well as privately. Paul has recorded with Michael Colgrass, and Gunther Schuller, and is currently starting up a custom drum, and mallet making business.

Andy Kust is an award-winning music director, vocal coach and pianist, currently serving as the Resident Music Director at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. Previously, Andy was the Resident Music Director at the Duluth Playhouse, was on the musical theater faculty at the University of Minnesota Duluth and was a Teaching Associate for the Lyric Opera Theater at Arizona State University. Andy keeps a busy schedule as a coach and accompanist, with clients appearing on Broadway and across the country. He is a regular keyboard substitute for national tours and is the Associate Music Director for the Hennepin Theatre Trust Spotlight Program. Training: B.A. from Luther College and M.M. from Arizona State University. andykustmusic.com

Nickie Kromminga Hill is a musical theatre performer and educator with numerous credits under her belt. Locally she has performed in 18 shows at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, and also appeared at the Ordway, Troupe America, and Paul Bunyan Playhouse. Additionally, Nickie is on the Musical-Theatre faculty at Shell Lake Arts Center in Wisconsin, has choreographed at over 20 schools in the metro area and holds a K-12 Theatre and Dance License. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of The Spread Sunshine Gang, a non-profit with the mission to spread goodness, kindness, and generosity to all! Nickie recently published her first book, “Things I’m Thinking About: a daughter’s thoughts on the loss of her mom.” available now on Amazon. 

Andrea Mislan: Hailing from Winnipeg, Canada, Andrea graduated with distinction from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Professional Division and performed with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet company for several years. She has performed around the Twin Cities in the Ordway’s Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Guthrie’s Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, Cyrano de Bergerac, and Chanhassen Dinner Theater’s Holiday Inn. She has also performed title roles and choreographed for several Collide Theatrical productions. Other national credits include: Cirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis, Chicago International tour, Celine Dion’s A New Day, Cape Fear Regional Theater/Pioneer Theater: White Christmas, Peter Pan. Royal Winnipeg Ballet: Giselle, Swan Lake, La Bayadère, Nutcracker, Serenade, Don Quixote. Television appearances: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Oprah, Ellen, World Music Awards, The Toy Castle. Locally, Andrea has taught at Ballet Co Laboratory, Collide Theatrical, St Paul Ballet, the Guthrie Theater, and numerous master classes in ballet, contemporary, jazz, musical theater, and Fosse style internationally. Her keen and unique teaching style focuses on performance quality and technique through breath, with full body awareness to enhance performance skills of all levels.

Britta Ollmann is a Minneapolis-based performer, teaching artist and coach. She has appeared on Broadway, on stages across the country (The Old Globe, Asolo Repertory Theatre, freeFall Theatre), and with some of Minnesota's most beloved theatre companies (Ordway, Theater Latte Da, Guthrie, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Children's Theatre Company). Britta holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and a Master's degree in teaching from Hamline University. She resides in NE Minneapolis with her husband, photographer and actor, Lucas Wells, their sweet son, Ronan, and their little dog, Cooper.

Grace Renstrom is honored to make her Ordway debut! She is currently a freshman at North Central University and is an Intercultural Studies Major! Grace has a special place in her heart for theatre! It has given her a sense of purpose when she thought she had none. Some of her favorite credits include: The Witch (Into the Woods),Lead Dynamite(Hairspray), Teen Angel (Grease), and Elmer (Newsies). She would love to thank Ashland Productions, SpotlightEducation, Kim kokx, and Kelli Foster Warder for growing and teaching her to be the best she can be! 

Emma Schuld is thrilled to be making her Ordway debut! She is a recent graduate of Cretin-Derham Hall high school, where she performed in her first show at age 9. She has continued to perform ever since, some of her favorite credits include: Linda Mason (Holiday Inn), Judas (Jesus Christ Superstar), Yonah (Children of Eden), and Anytime Annie (42nd Street). Next fall, Emma will begin her first year at the University of Minnesota-Guthrie BFA Actor Training Program. She sends a heartfelt thank you to her family and friends, Spotlight Education, and the CDH Theater Department for years of support and guidance. @emmahschuld

C Ryan Shipley THEATRE: Ordway: Ordway Cabaret: Gotta Dance! Artistry: A New Brain (Roger Delli-Bovi), She Loves Me (Sipos), Mary Poppins (Bert), Candide, The Music Man (Olin Britt), The Drowsy Chaperone (Robert Martin), La Cage aux Folles (Phaedra), Singin’ in the Rain (Don Lockwood), On the Town (Gabey), 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Jimmy). Upcoming: Mame (Beauregard). Old Log Theatre: Holidays with Bing (Bing Crosby), Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical (The Doctor). Park Square Theatre/Girl Friday Productions: Idiot’s Delight (Italian Officer/Choreographer). Cedar Summerstock Theatre: You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (as Director), Pirates of Penzance, Annie, Oklahoma!, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, 9 to 5 (as Choreographer). Paul Bunyan Playhouse: Annie (Rooster). Sabes JCC: Biloxi Blues (Don Carney). Minneapolis Musical Theatre: Zanna, Don’t! (Tank), The Robber Bridegroom (Goat). TRAINING: B.A. in Theatre, St. Olaf College. TEACHING ARTIST: Guthrie Theater, Stages Theatre Company, Steppingstone Theatre Company, Artistry, Project SUCCESS, Hennepin Theatre Trust.

Jack Strub: I am currently finishing up my junior year at Simpson College in Indianola Iowa with a Music and Theatre Arts double major and a minor in Arts Management. Some of my favorite onstage credits include: Dr. Thomas Stockmann (An Enemy of the People), Edward Bloom (Big Fish), Shrek (Shrek the Musical), Modern Major General (The Pirates of Penzance), and Cornelius Hackl (Hello Dolly). Last summer I was the director-in-residence with a community theatre in Leon, IA for their production of Into the Woods where I was the director, music director, and set & projections designer of the show. This past semester I was the set designer for Simpson College's production of Doubt: A Parable, and this summer I will be a company member for St. Croix Festival Theatre's 30th season. 

Allyson Tolbert has toured nationally in productions of Mel Brooks’ The Producers, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Catch Me If You Can. She has also appeared with Portland Center Stage, the Guthrie Theater, Westchester Broadway Theatre, and Old Log Theatre.

Tony Vierling: THEATER – Ordway: Singin’ in the Rain, A Christmas Story. Chanhassen Dinner Theatres: Mamma Mia!, Holiday Inn, Newsies, Grease, Cats, Crazy For You, Oklahoma!, Anything Goes, Brigadoon, 42^nd Street, Camelot. Guthrie: Midsummer Night’s Dream, My Fair Lady, Roman Holiday, 1776, She Loves Me, Pirates of Penzance, Merrily We Roll Along, Babes in Arms. Papermill Playhouse: Little House on the Prairie. MN Actor’s Theater: How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying. TUTS-Houston: White Christmas. Fitzgerald: Wild Party. Pantages Theater: Hair. NATIONAL – We the People (assistant choreographer), Little House on the Prairie (ensemble/dance captain), A Chorus Line. OPERA – MN Opera: Rusalka, Street Scene, Showboat, Mikado. New Orleans Opera: Romeo and Juliet.

Ordway Original 2019: 42nd Street

In the summer of 2019 the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts produced a re-imagined contemporary version of the Broadway classic, 42nd Street. Teeming with new jazz-funk orchestrations, simply stunning tap dancing, and innovative designs, the show was filled with the show-biz glamour that audiences love.

To help bring the story to life, the Ordway partnered with Minnesota Playlist to create a podcast that gave listeners a look at the behind-the-scene details of 42nd Street.

“The idea behind the podcast was to talk about how the creative process worked and to highlight the phenomenal work of local and national artists,” said Kelli Foster Warder, the Ordway’s Director of Education and Associate Producer.

Throughout the six-episode broadcast, the Ordway team, actors, the show’s director, and choreographer shared their stories, insights and dreams for the production.

All episodes can be heard for FREE at the following link: https://anchor.fm/playlistpresents

Photo by Rich Ryan

Photo by Paul Tate dePoo III

Episode 1: Rod Kaats, the Ordway’s Producing Artistic Director talked about Broadway at the Ordway and the reimagined production of the classic Broadway musical 42nd Street.

Episode 2: Performers Phillip Attmore and Kimberly Immanuel, who played Billy and Peggy in the Ordway’s production of 42nd Street, discuss diverse representation on stage and recreating these iconic characters in the exciting new version of the classic musical.

Episode 3: Actors Bekah Gudim, Maddie Hillligoss, and Kelli Foster Warder talked about tap dancing, the prominence it has had in their lives, and in the brand new story of the beloved Broadway classic 42nd Street – an Ordway Original. When actors Lamont Brown and Annie Jo Ermel joined the conversation, the pair discussed their work in both the Chicago production and at the Ordway.

Episode 4: Choreographer Jared Grimes and Kelli Foster Warder discussed how the show was created for the feet of the unique dancers, how the show was an the opportunity to open up a gateway to tap for the people of this generation, and Jared shared what 42nd Street meant to him.

Episode 5: Kelli Foster Warder talked with 42nd Street Director Michael Heitzman during this episode about his vision of this remastered production.

Episode 6: Part I: Emilio Sosa, the costume designer for 42nd Street chatted with Kelli Foster Warder about his background and how he tells stories through costumes.

Episode 6 Part II: Director Michael Heitzman, Choreographer Jared Grimes, and Kelli Foster Warder discuss the how the one-of-a-kind production of 42nd Street came to life.

Photo by Paul Tate dePoo III

Post by Toya Stewart-Downey, Ordway Director of Communications and Inclusion

Lesson Plan: 3 Tips on Singing Musical Theater Songs

Ordway Teaching Artist Andy Kust leads you through 3 simple steps to creating a musical theater vocal performance

Check out our Challenge Activity at the end of the lesson and put these concepts to work for you!

Video Lesson Guide

1. Choose Songs To Which You Connect

• One of the most critical elements when singing a musical theater song is that you, the singer, is able to connect to the words that you’re singing. At the most basic level, we have to treat the lyric as text and the audience has to see the singer creating these thoughts authentically for the very first time, during every performance or audition. 
• The way to encourage this connection is by taking initiative when you choose your repertoire. It’s a huge time commitment, but a great investment to really listen and sing through a ton of songs to find those 3 or 4 pieces that really fit you like a glove. Look at new composers as well as shows that were perhaps nominated for Tony Awards, but didn’t win….
• When you approach the character that is singing the song that you chose, assess which personality traits of your own that you need to enhance, as well as the personality traits that you need to turn down in order to serve the story. We all have a common well of emotions that we have access to - it’s just a matter of being specific when you choose which ones to use for each song. 

2. Use All The Tools The Composer Gives You

• When you choose a musical theater song to sing, there are a ton of musical elements that we can tune-in to, like melody, rhythm, song form, volume, harmonies, meter, range, and so many others! Each of these elements can clue you in to the composer’s intent, and can help you create interesting, nuanced, detailed performances. 
• If you just examine the rhythms, look at what words have been assigned to shorter rhythms and what words have been given longer, sustained phrases. A purposeful composer would give more important thoughts more time, so in general, the longer a note is held, the more thought and emotional weight the should apply to it. 

3. Enhance The Relationship Between Your Singing and Speaking Voice

• This is a topic that not many coaches talk about, but it is so essential to being a musical theater actor. Your singing voice and your speaking voice should share as many characteristics as possible. Why, you ask? Because when a character goes from speaking in a scene to singing in a song, the bridge between those two sounds needs to be as well-constructed as possible, thus making it believable that the character breaks into song without sounding like a completely different person. 
• The first step of this is to choose a phrase from one of your songs and start in the middle of your range by speaking the phrase. Then, without changing the tone color of your voice, add the prescribed pitches. Go back and forth with this until you can feel the similarities between the two elements. Once you’re comfortable with this, start to add more musicality to the phrase until it feels performative. 
• The ultimate goal is to be able to slip in and out of singing and speaking without the audience really hearing the difference. The “Dear Evan Hansen” original cast is filled with actors who are masters at this craft. Give them a listen!

Challenge Activity

TRY IT:  Find a recording of your favorite Musical Theater song, and a copy of the song lyrics.  First look at the lyrics: what emotions do the lyrics remind you of?  If you were composing this piece, what lyrics would you emphasize? Would you speak any of the lyrics? Then, listen to the recording, noting how the artist interpreted this piece.  Compare and contrast your interpretation with the artist's interpretation.

Lesson Plan: 3 Tips on Creating a Character

Ordway Teaching Artist Britta Ollmann leads you through a pointed way to dive into a character, picking out useful information from the script before beginning the rehearsal process.

This is a great activity if you are preparing for show, looking at a script for the first time or just fun to do if you’re interested in a particular character. 

Check out our Challenge Activity at the end of the lesson and put these concepts to work for you!

Video Lesson Guide

1. Initial Read-Through

• Get the script, and soundtrack (if it’s a musical).
• Read what the playwright has given you, and listen to the music in the context of what you’re reading. 
• No note taking! Just experience the show and the character as an audience would.
• This gives a big picture view of the story and where your character fits in.
• Notice: What kind of feelings wash over you? How do you feel at the beginning vs the end? What kind of journey has the story taken you on?

2. Character Notes

• Create a document with 4 different categories:
• What are the facts? 
• Character description (age, location, family, etc.) and plot points that your character is part of.
• What does the character say about themselves? 
• This can be in talking to another character, talking to themselves, talking to the audience. You can also question whether what they’re saying is the truth. How do they present themselves to other characters?
• What does my character say about other people? 
• Notice when they are talking about someone else and what they say.
• What do other people say about my character? 
• This helps to see how others perceive your character and what their relationship to other characters is.

• Now you have a condensed version of the script with the material categorized that is CENTERED around your character.

3. Character Choices

• Make some initial decisions about you character. 
• Why does your character chart looks like it does?
• Does your character talk about themselves a lot? 
• Do they talk to or about specific characters more than others? 
• Does how your character thinks about themselves match with how others think of them?
• What questions or ideas do your categories bring up?

By taking the time to dig into your character BEFORE rehearsal even begins, you can approach the whole play with a point of view that will help your character come to life and serve the larger story!

Challenge Activity 

TRY IT: Choose a show that has an adaption that you can watch right now. Maybe Cinderella or the Baker from Into the Woods. First do the character study activities above. Then watch the movie version and see if you can see the specifics you identified coming out in the performances of the movie actors. What did they emphasize that you agree with? What might they have missed? What did they find that you didn't see in your analysis?

Arts Brain Break: Quote of the Day

Everyone needs a brain break now and then- why not use that break to express your creativity?  Arts Brain Break is your source for quick activities to recharge your mind and spirit.

Activity: Quote of the Day

1. Pick out a favorite quote from a musical, actor, Broadway creator or just about the Arts in general
2. Brainstorm the reasons why that quote is important to you- does it remind you of someone special? Bring back memories of a favorite place or time? Inspire you to be a creative person? 
3. Think about how you might artistically represent this quote.  You can draw a picture, write a story, write a song- the possibilities are limitless! 

Here is an example: 

One of my favorite quotes about the Arts is from Albert Einstein-  "Logic will get you from A-Z, imagination will get you everywhere"

First, I brainstormed all of the ways that this quote is important and relevant to me:

 Next, I thought about different ways I could artistically represent the quote:

After reviewing my brainstorm list, I decided to make a drawing:

How will you represent your favorite quote?

Send a copy of your creation to ordwayeducation@ordway.org or tag the Ordway on social media with the hashtag #ordwayschooled- you may just see it on one of our channels!

Musical of the Week!: In The Heights

Photo by Rich Ryan

In this feature, Musical of the Week!, the Ordway Education team is highlighting past Ordway Originals. Join us as we take a deep dive into the story, themes and characters of these favorite musicals.

This week, we're taking a look at the Ordway's 2017 production of In the Heights.

Over two years, the Ordway and Teatro del Pueblo collaborated to produce West Side Story and In the Heights at the Ordway - working together on casting, creative direction, community engagement, marketing and educational initiatives. Core to this collaboration was to establish an equitable and transparent partnership between the two organizations, starting with bottom line discussions and clarity of roles and responsibilities. Many lessons were learned along the way, as well as outcomes achieved, including the offering of matinees for schools, a tour to Dayton Ohio of In the Heights, professional growth and development for artists and administrators and in creative teams and casts that represented the racial and ethnic diversity of the artists who stories were being told. "- Shelley Quiala, Vice President of Education and Community Engagement

Content below is adapted from the Ordway's In the Heights Study Guide- click here to view the full guide.

Story:  

In the Heights centers on Usnavi, who owns his family’s bodega in Washington Heights. Through the eyes of Usnavi, the show weaves together the stories of the residents of Washington Heights: Nina, home from her freshman year of college, struggles to reconcile her family’s expectations with her desires; Benny, her boyfriend, has aspirations of being a business owner; Daniela, a hairdresser, dreams of making an affluent life for herself in downtown; and Abuela Claudia does her best to hold her family and culture together in her new country while still longing for her life in Cuba. All of these characters exist within a larger drama: which of Usnavi’s customers holds the winning $96,000 lottery ticket that was purchased in his bodega? 

Central Themes:

Family, Community, “What is Home?”, Latinx Culture, Immigrant Communities

Musical Genres:

Latin, Afro-Caribbean, Salsa, Hip Hop, Rap, Pop

2008 Broadway Cast Album is available on Spotify

Deep Dive Enrichment: The Music and Language of IN THE HEIGHTS

Characters:

Photo by Rich Ryan

Usnavi De La Vega: Usnavi is the 24 year old owner of De La Vega’s Bodega. His Dominican Republic immigrant parents passed away, so he lives with Abuela Claudia.  He is the narrator who sets the pace for the stories of the residents of Washington Heights.


Nina Rosario: The daughter of Kevin and Camilla, Nina has just completed her freshman year at Stanford University. She is a first generation college student, and represents the opportunity that exists outside of Washington Heights.   

Benny: Benny works for the Rosarios as a cab driver. He and Usnavi are best friends, and he eventually falls in love with Nina. He sees a future for Nina and him through becoming a businessman.
Daniela: Daniela owns and runs her own salon. Due to the rising price of rent, however, she is being forced out of her successful business. 

Abuela Claudia: The matriarch of the neighborhood, Abuela Claudia raised Usnavi after the death of his parents.  She emigrated to “The Heights” at a young age from Cuba, and has committed her life to helping those in a similar situation.

Activities and Lessons: 

Photo by Rich Ryan

Activity for Students and Parents:
Recommended for Grades K-5

Create a play or musical about your neighborhood.

• What would be the title?
• Create a character list with descriptions. Who would live within this world?
• What would the central plot be that would convey life in your neighborhood?
• Describe or draw the scenic design and set.
• Describe or draw the characters’ costumes.

Share your picture, description, or set design with us!
Send an email to ordwayeducation@ordway.org or Tag #ordwayschooled 

Lesson Plan for Teachers and Parents: 
Recommended for Grades 6-12 

Objective: Students will explore how a musical is developed from a literary text or historical event.

Materials:

• computer
• a list of literary texts students have read through their regular curriculum
• The Kennedy Center’s ArtsEdge’s “Developing a Musical” Handout (http://bit.ly/QrGcB5)

Instructions: 

1. Remind students that many Broadway shows are derived from literary works (e.g. Once on this Island, The Color Purple.) Explain to students that it is now their turn to pick a literary text to turn into a popular musical.
2. If possible, divide the class into virtual groups of two or three. Share with students your list of literary texts and the “Developing a Musical” handout.
3. In those groups, ask students to select one literary work. Then have them brainstorm the various aspects that would be needed to stage this literary piece using the prompts from the “Developing a Musical” handout.
4. Ask each group to share their findings with the class. After each presentation, lead a discussion with the students on the possible opportunities and challenges that may exist with each adaptation. 

We'd love to hear from you! Let us know how you adapted this lesson to make it work in your online learning! Email us at OrdwayEducation@ordway.org. 

Video Feature:

Rush Benson and Renee Guitar were in the ensemble of In the Heights at the Ordway- check out their Musical Theater Dance combo to a great song from the show.

Introducing Ordway Education: Online!

Photo by: Laura Alpizar

Dear Educators, Parents and Friends of Ordway Education,

We are committed to supporting our community, and want to continue this support even in the midst of unprecedented changes to your school year. 

To that end, the Ordway Education team is so excited to announce the launch of Ordway Education: Online, a place for teachers, students and caregivers of all ages to continue to experience arts education.

Ordway teaching artists will create lessons, activities and video tutorials focused on all things Broadway, musical theater and the performing arts!

If you are:

 - a teacher preparing online content for students,

 - a parent searching for arts education tools and lessons,

 - someone loves musical theater and needs a dose of joy in this stressful time,

This is a tool for meant for you!

You can find us on YouTube and on the Ordway's website.

Make sure to subscribe to this blog for written lesson plans, content and encouragement.

Stay in touch with us through social media using the hashtag #OrdwaySchooled.

We can't wait to see you back at the Ordway but in the meantime, let's make some beautiful art, together!

Your Partners in Education, 

Kelli, Chloe and Sarah


Major support for Arts Education at the Ordway has been provided by Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation.