"Years of research show that arts education is closely linked to almost everything that we as a nation say we want for our children and demand from our schools: academic achievement, social and emotional development, civic engagement, and equitable opportunity.

Involvement in the arts is associated with gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skill. Arts learning can also improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork."  https://www.edutopia.org/arts-music-curriculum-child-development

 Ashley High School is known as the performing arts high school of our district.  We have a strong musical and theater program (both performing and technical).  By putting on a show such as the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, we are introducing our students to the long-standing tradition of the spectacle musical.  This is a period piece that requires medieval costumes and large set pieces (such as Cinderella's carriage and the castle steps.)  We anticipate a large cast (between 40 to 50 students) and each cast member will have 1 to 2 costumes which must be built specifically for this show.

One of the reasons we chose this show was to allow our students to take part in a musical that relied on classically trained voices.  Many of our local community theaters have done an excellent job giving our students an opportunity to work with a more modern musical, but we would like to allow them a chance to do a traditionally classical musical.  Many of our students are planning on going on to college to study musical theater.  This show gives them a firm foundation to work with when they enter college and must perform a wide variety of vocal music.

Our technical theater students benefit from this musical as well.  They must learn to build a castle, staircase, trees and create magical effects (bippity bopputy boo needs some flourish, after all.)  They will also work with the theater's pulley system as they fly in backdrops and set pieces.  

Our projected costs break down as such:

Publicity: 300 (Covers cost of signs at entrances to the school and posters for students to hang up around town)

Performance Rights: $2,200

Facility Rental/Repair: $500

Costumes: $2,000 (This averages out to $40 per student at 50 students, although Cinderella's ball gown and wedding dress alone will cost approximately $100 per dress)

Sets: $2,000 (This covers a rented backdrop, the purchase of paint and wood for set pieces, purchasing special props that we do not already have on hand, etc.

Printing Programs: $200

TOTAL PROJECTED EXPENSES: $7,200

Mr. McCarty has already paid for our performance rights (THANKS MR. MCCARTY), but it's up to us to gather the rest of the money needed.

Even if we don't meet our goal, all funds raised will go to the production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. 

Back Up Plan