A Musical About Hope and Change at the Aurora
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AURORA April-May 2019 CArtsR & HistoryE AWorthT DiscoveringES A Musical about Hope and Change at the Aurora Fox Mary Louise Lee and Nathaniel Waite-Lutz as Caroline Thibodeaux and Noah Gellman (also played by Sophia Dotson) in the Aurora Fox Arts Center production of the musical, “Caroline or Change.” MESSAGEfrom the Editors It is time to put your dancing shoes on, get on the dance floor and pretend to be a hydrogen atom. Or would you rather be a carbon atom? Those were the two choices at the 1939 American Chemical Society meeting in Baltimore where a group of Maryland chemists decided to stage a “chemical ballet.” The performance told the story of a scientist who tries to synthesize radioactive benzene from acetylene with the aid of an atom- smasher complete with four hydrogen atom dancers, two carbon atom dancers and the Betsy Wolfe (left) and Mary Louise Lee (right) dance of ethyl alcohol. You cannot deny the allure of dancing atoms, which is perhaps why science and dance tend to collaborate. In a study just released this year in “Trends MEGA TALENT in Neuroscience and Education,” researchers Takes Center Stage studied two groups of fifth graders: one that integrated some form of the arts, and another The Aurora Fox Arts Center will play She is a dedicated ambassador for that did not. The topics were astronomy, life science, chemistry and environmental host to two mega-talents this spring! the region’s vibrant arts and cultural science. Colorado’s own internationally celebrated communities, and when not on stage, Lee star, Mary Louise Lee, will take on the spends her time growing her foundation, In the standard group, students displayed title role in “Caroline, or Change,” and Bringing Back the Arts, which combines knowledge by completing a chart or Broadway darling Betsy Wolfe will her passion for arts and education. presenting the information orally. In the arts- integrated group, they displayed knowledge share an evening of songs and stories at Wolfe joins the Aurora Fox as the through a variety of arts-based activities such Tthe April 27 Annual Aurora Fox Gala. as dance, tableaux, singing or drawing. featured performer at this year’s gala. Lee makes her return to the Aurora Fox She has established herself as one of her Overall, the researchers found no significant Mainstage in “Caroline, or Change.” This generation’s most versatile Broadway differences in the amount of content the kids captivating story transports audiences to performers, recently starring as Jenna in retained, but the arts-infused approach had a positive effect on “struggling readers.” the racially charged south at the time of the the Tony-nominated musical “Waitress.” Ten weeks later, those kids remembered Kennedy assassination. Lee was last seen Prior to that, she played Cordelia in significantly more science content learned at the Aurora Fox in the New Year’s Eve the Broadway revival of “Falsettos,” through the arts than those who were taught Cabaret, “Blues to Broadway.” Other local which aired on PBS. But she is perhaps using conventional methods. The researchers work includes “Lady Day at Emerson’s best known for her critically acclaimed concluded, “Arts integration can provide another vehicle to support learning for all Bar & Grill” (Denver Center/Galleria performance as Cathy in the Off-Broadway students, especially for the most vulnerable Theatre), “1940’s Radio Hour” (Arvada revival of “The Last Five Years.” learners in our nation’s schools.” Center), “Ain’t Misbehavin” (Littleton Town Hall Arts Center), “Uncle Jed’s Wolfe’s other Broadway credits include This issue of Aurora Creates is filled with Barbershop” (DreaMakers Productions), “Bullets Over Broadway” and the revival opportunities to integrate arts and science: of “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.” A few Our cover story uses theatre to explore “Annie” and “The Wiz” (AfterThought issues of racism and economics. Astronomy Theatre), “Menopause the Musical” blocks east of Broadway, she appeared is explored at the Aurora History Museum. (Denver Civic Theatre), and “Smokey as Beth in the City Center’s Encores! Physics is a part of the new public art on The Joe’s Café” as BJ (Theatre Aspen). production of “Merrily We Roll Along.” People’s Building. And our story about four dancers turned dance educators is filled with Lee’s work has also taken her cross It promises to be an exciting April at lessons straight from Psychology 101. county in several national tours the Aurora Fox Arts Center with these So the next time you want to know how to and as a featured performer at the two stars, so don’t miss your chance help your kid with science, put her or him in Democratic National Conventions in to see them in person. Tickets to an art class! 2004, 2008 and 2012. She has appeared both “Caroline, and Change” and the internationally with the U.S. Department annual gala are available at AuroraFox. of Defense, and was also featured on org, or by calling the Box Office at “America’s Got Talent – Season 9.” 303.739.1970. See you at the theatre! 1 |AURORA CREATES Michelle Ballard Samantha Amos Erin Buterbaugh Minda McGurk MORE THAN DANCING One of the city of Aurora’s proudest how their experiences at ADA had Now that they’re teachers, they each have accomplishments in the arts field is the taught them much more than how to their unique gifts to share. Buterbaugh, Aurora Dance Arts (ADA) program. In pirouette en dedans, freestyle or shuffle who’s been teaching with ADA for 1973 the city offered it first dance classes, off to Buffalo. For McGurk, dance 15 years, loves being able to help her and by 1976 ADA had become a year- taught her to trust her heart and to young dancers develop artistically and Oround program. In 1989 ADA offered pursue the things in life that made her technically. Amos, who’s only in her its first production of “The Nutcracker happy – and not necessarily the things second year of teaching, is developing Ballet.” This past December, more than other people thought she should do. a new appreciation for all that her 2,200 people experienced ADA’s three teachers did for her as she was growing sold-out public performances of “The Ballard learned about kindness: up dancing and learning and using Nutcracker” with live music by the “Studying dance taught me how to that appreciation to understand how Aurora Symphony Orchestra. Today, express myself without words. It taught powerful her impact is on her students. ADA serves more than 1,200 students me how to express my soul through through more than 200 classes taught such a beautiful art form. I made my McGurk loves the “magic” of dance. “I by 20 highly qualified instructors. very first friends in dance and still have have been teaching for ADA for 20 years. them as friends to this day. Dance taught I don’t ever remember a moment when I Aurora Dance Arts, however, is much me empathy, compassion and love.” wasn’t a part of ADA. I love the ‘ah-ha!’ more than a dance school. It is a home moments: the times when a student is – both creatively and socially – for its Dance taught Buterbaugh about the nearly in tears, and I encourage them to students and teachers, as four of its importance of hard work: “Ballet try just one more time, and they get it! It current teachers can attest to having taught me the importance of making happens! And I was there to witness that been ADA students themselves. a personal commitment to the things moment! It’s incredible and special.” you’re passionate about. Just showing up Samantha Amos, Michelle Ballard, Erin and going through the motions was not For Ballard, it’s all about helping her Buterbaugh and Minda McGurk all enough; your parents driving you to class students understand the benefits of hard began their dance studies at an early age every week didn’t automatically mean work. “I have been teaching for ADA and immediately fell in love with dance. you would advance. If you really wanted for almost 20 years. I started teaching to McGurk and Ballard both started at age to improve, you had to push yourself be able to share my love of dance. Over 4. Amos and Buterbaugh started at age and make yourself do the work in class the years, however, I have witnessed 8. Growing up in the ADA family was – the teacher couldn’t do it for you. how my fellow teachers and I teach filled with memorable moments for these You had to care and put in the work.” our young dancers discipline, how to four talented teachers. Amos remembers be outgoing and how to be confident. Amos learned self-acceptance: “I think misplacing her hairbrush in the dressing And when I see their faces light up on one of the most important things I learned room before her last performance of stage dancing, and they know what it as a dancer was to accept and embrace “The Nutcracker.” In response to her means to be a dancer because they have who I am. There is a stereotypical body plea, “Where is my hairbrush?” everyone worked so hard all year, I think that is type for a dancer, but I love that ADA started singing “Oh, Where Is My the most rewarding thing for me.” Hairbrush?” (a song from VeggieTales). has no reference for the stereotype. I was “It was hilarious and a great expression never pressured to be skinnier, to lose To learn more about the city of Aurora of the friendship that we all had.” weight or told that I couldn’t be a dancer Dance Art Program, visit because I was ‘larger’ than average.