How Bass Performance Hall is building a future for performing arts
For fine arts to continue to flourish in Fort Worth, there must be a future generation.
Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass, the namesakes of Bass Performance Hall, had this in mind even before the building opened its doors in 1998. Now, Performing Arts Fort Worth is making that dream come true with its Children’s Education Program.
“The performing arts are for everyone,” said Performing Arts Fort Worth Director of Education and Community Engagement Taylor Woods. “As owners and operators of Bass Performance Hall, Performing Arts Fort Worth is committed to idea that all are welcome and valued in the arts and in Fort Worth. As the Children’s Education Program, our students are at the very core of that mission.
“When a student walks through our doors and takes in a show, participates in an intensive or engages in a talkback, our hope is that experience not only teaches them, but inspires creativity, stimulates conversations and encourages them to consider other points of view.”
The program works with students from elementary through 12th grade in the Fort Worth school district. Performing Arts Fort Worth reports that thousands of students and teachers attend free-of-charge education performances annually through this program.
The nonprofit organization notes that through the Children’s Education Program, Bass Hall has served as a classroom to 1.9 million students and educators to date.
Performing Arts Fort Worth’s Children’s Education Program has a partnership with the FWISD, and while most of the core education performances are full by the time those students are taken care of, there are several programs offered that expand beyond FWISD students. Through new programs like Broadway Bridges and newly added student intensives, the goal is to continually try to expand and grow opportunities to help serve the wider North Texas community.
A variety of programs
Through student matinees, virtual programming, literacy programs, student intensives, summer camps and much more, the program offers a variety of performing arts educational opportunities to students and educators.
The program recently expanded its education and community engagement to include sensory-friendly performances of touring shows such as Disney’s “The Lion King” and Dr. Seuss’ musical “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
The Broadway Bridges program provides an opportunity for high school students and teachers to experience the magic of touring Broadway with reduced-priced tickets, plus special engagement opportunities, including workshops, talkbacks and student intensives.
Throughout the year, in-person programming takes place at Bass Hall and the Maddox-Muse Center, the complex that is home to McDavid Studio and the Van Cliburn Recital Hall. All student intensives are held at the Maddox-Muse Center, while student matinees and Broadway Bridges performances are exclusive to the Bass Hall stage.
Students who participate in summer camps conclude their week of activities with a concert at Bass Hall for their friends and family.
‘Life of Pi’ connection
Recently, Broadway Bridges, in connection with “The Life of Pi” coming to Bass Hall, had 60 students at a special event in which they participated in a panel discussion and subsequent master classes with several folks connected to the show.
“The show was phenomenal with excellent storytelling and an amazing plot twist. The masterclass was a thrilling experience - being able to move and speak in ways I normally wouldn’t,” said Eastern Hills High School sophomore Westyn Ziegler.
The event included an appearance by the star of the show, the life-size Bengal tiger puppet, Richard Parker and his handlers.
“The show was amazing. The puppets are great,” said Dunbar High School senior Jordan Valentine.
To which fellow Dunbar senior Tyrese Quarterman added, “I loved it. The show classes were a lot of fun, especially the moves we learned. The show was good too!”
“Days like these are what it’s all about for us — to see students’ faces light up during a conversation that is meant to offer a different perspective,” said Jason Wise, Senior Vice President of Operations, Performing Arts Fort Worth. “Live theatre allows us to forget the outside world for a while and share in the same magical experience, together.
“Hopefully, after spending the day with peers from other schools — acting, learning, laughing and experiencing a show together, these students come away with an understanding of not only what someone else might be going through, but a different viewpoint on the world around them.”
“The arts are a shared experience, bringing to life the stories of people from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and histories. Our students are not just the next generation of patrons, they are citizens who play an active part in our community now, regardless of age, commonalities or zip code,” Woods said. “When we take the time to sit side by side, despite our differences, experiencing the same, unique moment, we can all come away as a more empathetic and thoughtful people.”
Performing Arts Fort Worth President and CEO Dione Kennedy said the CEP program is an extension of the idea that all are welcome and valued in the Fort Worth theater world.
“Whether this is their first-time walking through our doors, or they return with fond memories of participating in the program from previous years, we hope every student in every grade always feels welcome and knows that this is a place for them,” she said. “We are grateful to all of our sponsors, patrons, community and our Angels in the Wings for their continued support, allowing students to experience the magic of live theatre at the crown jewel of Fort Worth, Bass Performance Hall.”