THE WORKSHOP

We recognize that there is a link between adolescent bullying and criminal behavior, which can lead to incarceration in adulthood, for both bullies and their victims. We build peacekeepers, youth mediators and the arts is our training tool. Our strategies reduce behaviors that lead adolescent bullies, and their victims, to become criminal offenders later in life. Chase Your Dreams Wearing Sneakers: The Musical and Workshop, is an arts-integration training program, providing a comprehensive approach that students use to proactively neutralize volatile social interactions.

Program Objective

The primary goal of Chase Your Dreams Wearing Sneakers: The Musical is to use theatre to teach students how to respond appropriately when being bullied by providing concrete anti-bullying strategies and scripted/impromptu speaking and writing opportunities that enhance self-expression and communication skill sets. There is a link between adolescent bullying and criminal behavior, leading to incarceration in adulthood, for bullies and their victims. We build peacekeepers using the arts as a training tool. This innovation decreases instances of bullying; thereby, reducing behaviors that lead adolescent bullies, and their victims, to become criminal offenders later in life.

Program Description

Chase Your Dreams Wearing Sneakers: The Workshop is an anti-bullying workshop. The program has pre-/post-show exercises that correlate with five core show themes using theatre (i.e. acting through role-playing, public/impromptu speaking and directing techniques). The workshop activity scripts are customized for students at each grade level. The workshop activities also align with several Common Core State Standards for English and Arts Standards at each grade level.

Audience

Appropriate for students in grades 4-12, family audiences and youth organizations.

Highlights

The Chase Your Dreams Wearing Sneakers curriculum is extremely engaging.  There are several core theme and group activities, interactive lessons and discussion break-out sessions that illuminate the following:
  • Music; Anti-Bullying; Current Issues; Learning Styles; Personal Development; Relationships & Family

Five Core Themes

1.) Inspiration, 2.) Preparation, 3.) Confidence, 4.) Persistence & 5.) Fearlessness

COMMON CORE
STATE STANDARDS

GRADES 4-5
  • Reading Standards for Foundational Skills: Phonics and Word Recognition #3: Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. #3a: Use combined knowledge of all letter-sound correspondences, syllabication patterns, and morphology (e.g., roots and affixes) to read accurately unfamiliar multi-syllabic words in context and out of context.
  • Reading Standards for Foundational Skills: Fluency #4: Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. #4a: Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding. #4b: Read grade-level prose & poetry orally with accuracy, appropriate rate and expression. #4c: Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.
  • Speaking and Listening Standards: Comprehension and Collaboration: #1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade-level topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. #1b: Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles.

GRADES 6-12
  • Speaking and Listening Standards: Comprehension and Collaboration: #1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade-level topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. #1b: Follow rules for collegial discussions, set specific goals and deadlines, and define individual roles as needed.
  • Speaking and Listening Standards: Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas: #6: Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
  • College and Career readiness anchor Standards for Language: Conventions of Standard English: #1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
  • College and Career readiness anchor Standards for Language: Knowledge of Language: #3: Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.

ARTS
STANDARDS

GRADES 4-12
  • Evaluation: Content Standard 7: Students will evaluate music and music performances
  • Theatre: Content Standard 1: Creating: Students will create theatre through improvising, writing part of and refining scripts
  • Theatre: Content Standard 2: Acting: Students will act by developing, communicating and sustaining characters
  • Theatre: Content Standard 4: Directing: Students will direct by planning or interpreting works of theatre and by organizing and conducting rehearsals.
  • Music: Content Standard 1: Vocal: Students will sing with others

______MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS

_Beautiful You - lyrically, this song reinforces the core theme CONFIDENCE. Unfortunately, young people are not always told that they are beautiful and special in a positive and self-esteem building way. The first line is written from the perspective of a mother speaking to her child, encouraging "...little one, there's so much I have to say. Since I have time, I guess I'll say it this way. You're a gem amongst so many stones. You have so much to learn while you grow...beautiful you."

Chasing My Dreams - the show's theme song captures the essence of the lessons taught by characters in the musical. The motivating lyrics anticipate a need for standing in one's own truth in order to shine the authenticity of being your best self while being tenacious in the pursuit of your goals. This song is all about the core theme PERSISTENCE. "I am a dreamer, a small child at heart. I'm a believer that no matter where I start, I will finish on top chasing my dreams wearing sneakers."

Limitless - without self-imposed boundaries and with a desire to effectuate bold changes in the world, how much would people be able to accomplish? Young people don't generally have a problem with thinking outside of the box until someone, perhaps a peer, educator or parent, discourages their limitless way of thinking. However, this song revels in the idea of the core theme FEARLESSNESS. "Are we living life to the limit or are we limitless?" These lyrics ask whether or not we are letting fear interrupt our journey to manifest our true destiny.

Gonna Be - an anthem, a statement as well as a promise. When an adolescent is being bullied and does not know how to deal with the situation, it can be extremely scary. When we talk to our children and listen to their needs, we can inspire them to stand up for themselves without cowardice or violence. The lyrics to this song fight for the rights of young people who are being tormented to be left alone. "You didn't make me, sure enough can't break me. Try to berate me, still I rise can't you see? Think you offend me, but you don't end me. I continue my journey. I'm gonna be all I can be!" This is the core theme INSPIRATION at work.

The Brain - written from the perspective of a student's brain confronting him/her for neglecting it. "The most critical part of the anatomy. Hands, heart, toes are soldiers in my army. When damaged, I can make you a vegetable. Food for thought is what I need from you. I wander off when you neglect me. You don't challenge, love trust or respect me. I can do much more than you let me, but that's when you sit up there and neglect me!" This rap song describes the benefits of reading, doing homework, challenging your mind and knowing the most effective learning style for you (i.e. auditory, kinesthetic or visual). It's all about the core theme PREPARATION when you pay homage to the most powerful mechanism humans have in building critical thinking.

This Is My Song - A fun-loving, carefree fast-paced welcome to the show.  When we meet our main character, Chrissy, this is our introduction to her and her life as it relates to music. Chrissy sings, "I drink, eat, sleep and live music. I hear, play, adore and breathe music. I thrive on, live by and love music...especially my music. It keeps me going when I'm down. Gives me ideas when I'm bored. It's my strength behind closed doors. If I had nothing else and was stripped of all my talent. Please don't take my music, I can't live without it. My story begins and this is my song."

Tunnel Vision - a call and response selection. When we say "T.V." in the show, we are talking about blocking out distraction and using tunnel vision to chase our dreams.  This rap song is an ode to some of the world's greatest historical figures and their ability to use their tunnel vision to achieve greatness.  Ears, Chrissy's sidekick, along with the audience motivate Chrissy using Tunnel Vision.