Since 2006, the Hip Hop Theater, one of Bardavon’s in-school residencies, has been integral to its arts-in-education partnership with the Poughkeepsie City School District. Each year, the Hip Hop Theater offers an immersive arts-based learning experience that complements and enriches the education programming Poughkeepsie Middle School students receive. This year, Poughkeepsie Middle School teachers Selina Barrington, Ashely Bass, Devon Esposito, Catherine Natonio and Heidi Murphy’s sixth-grade students wowed the audience of parents, students and community members as they recited poetry, beatboxed, danced, djayed and rapped in a culminating performance to this year’s Hip Hop Theater.
”Being a tremendous fan of the early formation of hip hop culture, it was nostalgic to see how the resident teaching artist engaged our students in exploring their voice through the creative expressions of poetry, rap, beatboxing and dancing. It reminded me of my middle school years when my friends and I were consumed with the then-budding cultural phenomena,” shared Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, superintendent of schools.
According to the Bardavon’s website, the program helps students gain knowledge in poetry, art, music and dance “through multicultural, multi-faceted workshops” and “drawing on their own creative abilities.
“They connect with the rhythms of their bodies and explore the art of the written and spoken word. They share feelings and emotions with their peers and neighbors. They discover the satisfaction that striving for a shared goal can offer – and they realize they have a voice. Reaching these kids and strengthening their voices through the arts are at the heart of our programs,” the website reads.
The Bardavon YouTube page features a great overview video of the Hip Hop Theater.
