PaulPallazola
Boch Center Wang Theater, Boston, Massachusetts May 31,2018
Express Yourself is a Beverly, Massachusetts based Arts program that works primarily with youth in schools & Mental Health Programs throughout the Commonwealth. Their programs immerse young people in the arts, where they increase their skills in self-expression, and build connections and mentorships with other kids and artists. Every year Hannah Elementary School’s 5th graders participate in the program and perform in the annual Express Yourself Show at the Boch Center Wang Theater in Boston, Massachusetts.
Express Yourself serves young people from over 50 cities and towns in Massachusetts. They work with underserved youth in residential, inpatient, and outreach programs funded by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health and with community youth from local schools to produce inclusive performance art. The participation of professional artists, dancers, and musicians provides the kids with a great sense of support and builds the excitement as they work towards their performance.
That’s The Spirit!
Rehearsal
The Historical Wang Theatre
Express Youself performs their annual show on one of the five largest stages in the United States at the Wang Theater. This 3500 seat hall was originally opened in 1925, as the Metropolitan Center. It was designed by Clarence Blackall, a leading American theater architect. Blackall designed 12 other major Boston theaters, including the Emerson Colonial Theater and Wilbur Theater, as well and the historic Copley Plaza Hotel. it was renamed the Music Hall in 1962 and then in 1980 after a huge financial gift from Dr. An Wang it became The Wang Center For The Performing Arts. In the 1980s I saw the Boston Ballet perform "The Nutcracker" here and saw some of the great rock and roll groups of that era play there, including Echo and the Bunnymen, Simple Minds, The Church, and General Public.
Boch Center Wang Theater
“Break A Leg”
I got to chaperone this event for the second year in a row. Violeta's Science Teacher was giving a pep talk to the kids before their appearance. The kids learned the meaning of the show business term "Break A Leg", which refers to the old pulley ropes for curtains used in early stage shows. Wishing people great applause and multiple curtain calls meant wishing the pulley ropes, called legs, would break from the strain of repeatedly being pulled. Makes sense. If I knew that years ago I wouldn't have cringed before my school play!
a fun time was had by all…
It was a great event and Express Yourself! is a wonderful organization.
It is really cool that you can always seem to find things like this…