PHOENIX – The Thunderbird Charities recently awarded the Herberger Theater Center with a $5,000 grant for the Wolf Trap Program. The Herberger Theater Center collaborates with Center Dance Ensemble to provide Wolf Trap, a performance residency and arts field trip program targeted to approximately 800 preschool and Head Start children, ages 3-5. The arts help young children learn critical skills, including creativity, collaboration, math, language arts and imagination. The program brings performing artists into at-risk preschool and Head Start classrooms.
“Creating a positive learning environment is important at any age, but especially important for young children,” said Thunderbirds Charities President Andy Markham. “We’re thrilled to be a part of the Wolf Trap program and their goal to expand the creativity of the young people in our communities.”
A professional artist is placed in each classroom for a seven-week residency (twice per week for 30-minute sessions) weaving drama, music and movement to teach basic skills and encourage participation and self-esteem in the earliest stages of learning. Prior to the classroom residency, the children will attend an arts field trip at the Herberger Theater, February 5-7, 2018 which includes a movement class, ballet created specifically for preschool-age children and participatory music session.
Each year, the Wolf Trap Institute’s local, regional, national, and international programs provide educational services for more than 55,000 young children, their parents, educators, and teaching artists.
About The Thunderbirds/Thunderbirds Charities:
THUNDERBIRDS CHARITIES is a non-profit organization formed in 1986 to distribute monies raised through the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament. The Thunderbirds Charities Board consists of 15 board members from varying professional backgrounds. The mission of Thunderbirds Charities is to assist children and families, help people in need and improve the quality of life in our communities. The organization’s giving is directed toward organizations based or with a significant presence in Arizona. The Thunderbirds were founded in 1937 with the mission of promoting the Valley of the Sun through sports. The Thunderbirds consist of 55 “active” members and more than 250 “life” members. For more information on the Thunderbirds or the 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open, visit www.wmphoenixopen.com. For more information on the Thunderbirds Charities, visit www.thunderbirdscharities.org.
About the Herberger Theater: Where Audience Meets Art:
The Herberger Theater is a 501(c)(3) Arizona non-profit organization that supports and fosters growth of the arts in Phoenix as the premier performance venue, arts incubator and advocate. Opened in 1989 and fully renovated in 2010, the Herberger Theater offers three theater venues, art gallery, plaza and rentable event space for a variety of community uses. The Herberger Theater hosts a diverse range of dramatic, dance and musical performances; is home to local theater and dance companies; its gallery provides a venue for Arizona artists to present their works; and a plaza that hosts civic and arts events. Proceeds from annual fundraising benefits its Youth Outreach Programs, designed to give Arizona children (ages 3-19) opportunities to excel, learn and heal through experience with the arts. Over the last 28 years, 4.2 million patrons have enjoyed more than 15,000 performances at the Herberger Theater.
For more information, visit www.herbergertheater.org or call (602) 254-7399.