Dear CSAMS Families,
This weekend our CSAMS and CSPA students will present Newsies Jr., our 12th annual musical theater production. Over these twelve years, I have witnessed firsthand the difference that musical theater makes in the lives of students. It contributes to students' intellectual, social, and emotional development, and so much more. Here are just some of the benefits.
Academically, musical theater fosters critical literacy and language skills. Students engage with complex scripts and lyrics that challenge their reading comprehension, vocabulary, and linguistic understanding. In addition, music and rhythm involve mathematical thinking and pattern recognition, which enhance students' analytical abilities. The process of memorizing lines, cues, and choreography strengthens cognitive functions related to memory and concentration, skills that support broader academic success.
Musical theater helps develop communication skills in practical and transformative ways. Students gain confidence in public speaking, learning to project their voices and articulate with clarity. Through performance, they master nonverbal communication, conveying emotions and narratives through body language, facial expressions, and physical presence. These abilities enhance students' public speaking abilities and increase their comfort in communicating effectively in various settings.
Musical theater cultivates essential collaborative skills. A successful production requires an extraordinary level of teamwork; students coordinate closely with cast and crew to bring a shared vision to life. This cooperative environment promotes empathy; students learn to embody diverse perspectives through character work, deepening their understanding of and sensitivity toward others' experiences. Furthermore, the dynamic nature of theater often requires creative problem-solving; students learn to navigate unanticipated challenges, fostering adaptability and resilience in group settings.
Musical theater builds self-assurance and emotional resilience. Performing and achieving in theater enhances students' self-confidence and reinforces the value of perseverance, even in the face of challenges or setbacks. The emotive nature of acting provides a constructive outlet for students to explore and express complex feelings, offering a unique way to process emotions and increase self-awareness in a supportive environment.
Musical theater pushes students to think imaginatively and creatively, and take artistic risks. Theater combines multiple disciplines—music, dance, acting, set design, costume creation—thus providing students with the opportunity to engage in various forms of artistic expression. This fusion of artistic elements encourages students to experiment with their creative potential, helps them develop a broad appreciation for the arts, and fosters innovative thinking.
Musical theater serves as a cultural education platform, exposing students to diverse historical contexts, societal issues, and cultural traditions. Many musicals address significant historical events or reflect various cultural identities, allowing students to explore perspectives beyond their own. This exposure enhances cultural literacy and instills a greater sensitivity to the diversity and complexity of human experiences.
Musical theater offers significant benefits to mental health and well-being. Performing arts provide a structured yet expressive outlet that alleviates stress and promotes mental relaxation. The collaborative and often close-knit nature of theater builds a sense of community, offering social connections and a supportive environment that mitigates feelings of isolation and enhances emotional resilience.
Finally, the experiences and skills gained through musical theater are highly transferable to professional environments. The discipline required to commit to rehearsals and meet performance deadlines teaches students about responsibility, time management, and the value of hard work. The teamwork, adaptability, and public speaking skills developed prepare students for success in various fields, from business and education to the arts and public service. Musical theater in schools not only enriches students’ academic and artistic abilities but also builds a foundation for lifelong personal growth.
If you are interested in attending our production, tickets can be purchased HERE. Our show is being performed at the Jane Tasch Performing Arts Theater (near the Pinckney Community Education building), 2100 M-36 in Pinckney. Showtimes are:
Friday, November 22nd at 7:00 PM
Saturday, November 23rd at 12:00 PM
Saturday, November 23rd at 7:00 PM
Sunday, November 24th at 4:00 PM
We look forward to seeing you there!
In partnership with you,
Dina Barnaby
CSA District Athletics is looking for volunteers to help out at our home basketball games. They need helpers in admissions and concessions to make our home events run smoothly. The below sign up has many volunteer opportunities for HS basketball games, MS girls basketball and the MS JV boys basketball. There are many different dates to volunteer and CSPA High School students can sign up and use these as their volunteer hours.
Please remember, each CSA District Athletics participating family is required to volunteer a minimum of 4 times during the season. We of course, hope you will do more to support our student athletes so they can have the best season yet.
To view the volunteer needs and/or sign up CLICK HERE.
Disney's Newsies, Jr. will only be performed this weekend and you don't want to miss seeing these talented young men and women perform. Tickets can be purchased online, or at the door with cash/check. Please click below to purchase your tickets today!!
Click HERE to purchase Tickets.
Performance Showtimes:
Friday, November 22, 2024 @ 7:00pm
Saturday, November 23, 2024 @ 12:00pm*
Saturday, November 23, 2024 @ 7:00pm
Sunday, November 24, 2024 @ 4:00pm
Ticket costs are as follows: Adults $15.00, Seniors and Students $10.00, and the "Meet and Greet" Package is $25.00. The Meet and Greet Package gets you premium seating and the ability to go backstage before the show starts for a tour and to meet and take pictures with cast. Click HERE to reserve your seats today!
*Special CSA Family pricing on Saturday's matinee performance! Bring the whole family and use discount code: CSAFAMILY for a $2 discount per ticket. The discount code must be entered at the ticketing page prior to entering to purchase tickets. See below:
This holiday season, our middle school students are excited to host a special Holiday Bazaar! The event will showcase a variety of homemade crafts and fun activities designed for children of all ages. The bazaar, will be fully organized and staffed by our studentsFrom festive decorations and unique ornaments to handmade jewelry, baked goods, and more, the bazaar promises a wonderful selection of gifts and goodies for family and friends. It doesn't end there! There will also be several hands-on activity booths, perfect for younger visitors to join in on the holiday cheer, and we are expecting a visit from Santa! Bring your camera and make sure to grab some pictures of your students with Santa!!
Date: Friday, December 13, 2024
Hours: 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm
Location: CSAMS
Come join us, find some treasures, and support our students as they work together to make a difference. We look forward to celebrating the season with you!