 Last week Early Stages students from Queens High School for the Sciences at York College went to see How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, the famous musical comedy starring Nick Jonas! Here are what students took away from the revival:
The ambition of J.P. Finch (played by Nick Jonas) reminded me of the ambition of my schoolmates in the race to get into a good college. I think that the thing that will stick with me most from the play was the way that being true to himself allowed J.P. Finch to become president of the company at the end. This will affect my life because it shows me that even in the dog-eat-dog world that we live in it is okay sometimes to let your guard down, let people in, and just be yourself. - Saryah
How to Succeed taught me that you must always keep trying even when things aren’t in your favor. -Juana
Succeeding in life is important but enjoying every step of the way is more important. -David
I learned that life requires a bit of luck and a good heart. -Joseph
Although the characters are often less than ethical you still root for them and want them to get what they desire whether that is climbing the top of the corporate ladder or stealing someone’s heart. Also! The supporting characters like Smitty and Bud Frump are amazing. They remind us that we are less than perfect and although we often want the best for ourselves we cannot get there on our own. - Anisa
Early Stages Teaching Artist, Mara McEwin worked with the wonderful students of PS 115. Here is an example of a Why Story by a 2nd grade student:
 Illustration by Rosa Lykiardopoulos Why We Only Have One Nose
A looong time ago, people had two noses. One was evil and one was good. There was no room for the eyes.
The eyes went on the left and the right side of the head. People couldn’t see in front of them and about 572,239,815 times, they would go walking and….BOOM!!!
The person would walk into someone or something. So…POOF!
They threw away the evil nose and put the good nose right in the middle of their face.
The eyes moved closer to the nose, and that’s why we only have one nose.
 www.insolentcandyfloss.com “When I read the Early Stages student’s story, I got inspired and had to do it!” - Rosa Lykiardopoulos
Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Rosa Lykiardopoulos is based in London since 2003, and works as a freelance motion graphics designer. Some of her clients include Cartoon Network, BBDO, Sainsburys, Pepsi and others.
Her passion for animation drove her to take part on the direction and design of several independent award wining music videos and short-films. She also collaborates as an illustrator for several magazines. “Because of the nature my job, I have always felt very comfortable inside the moving image. A couple of years ago I started to explore illustration looking for the challenge of telling a story in a single frame, creating a universe within a blank page”.
Her work is inspired by a variety of sources. Latin America, comic books, toys, Egon Schiele, Sofia Loren, her brother, all the pantones, all the shapes, happiness, melancholy, every minute of her life… And music.
Matt Cavenaugh, an Early Stages Advisory Board member and Broadway actor led a post-performance workshop on Wicked with University Heights High School students.
Here’s what the students had to say:
“Today’s workshop was amazing. I really enjoyed it. I learned how to listen better, have better body language, and how to project my voice. I didn’t feel as shy anymore and enjoyed putting myself out there. I’ve never done anything like it and it was a great experience doing something fun and learning something so valuable.” – Carolina
“One of the things that I loved was how each and every one of us had a chance to participate and share our thoughts about the Broadway shows we saw.” – Stephanie
“This workshop taught me something that I will carry forever. We exercised our ability to communicate with our body. We also learned the importance of listening.” – Amanda
“I learned a lot of information that I can use every day to improve my presentation skills.” – Akiah
Teaching Artist, Julia M. Morris set the stage for her 3rd grade Special Education students with telling the Japanese fairytale, “Urashima Taro,” – a story which travels magically from land to below the sea. The students developed their own “setting portraits” of where the main character, Taro, journeys. In the process, Taro (and the students who imagine his voyage) encounter a royal kingdom filled with lively creatures and play mates. Here are some students’ stories and illustrations:
When I was there, there was a dolphin, four fish, a mermaid, and the boy called Taro. The castle was So Big and one flag was sticking all the way out of the ocean! There were four hearts on the door and the castle had heart windows too. - Alexis
The setting for the fairy tale is under the ocean. It showed a princess and a guy diving on a board! There is another guy there eating a banana in the water. But that’s impossible! There are soldiers helping the castle. It was cool! - Donald
When I imagined this underground world, I saw the sea shell castle first. Then there was a turtle, a fish, seaweed, eels, and a oyster. Urashima Taro is in the water too. You can see that Urashima Taro is a famous fairy tale from Japan. - Eleanor
The setting is under the sea and it is dark and cold down there! It is cool to be there because you can play in a cave. You can also ride on the fish of course and it is is fun. If you want, you can go in the princess’s bedroom and jump on her bed. – Jessen
The castle under there is made of glass and wood. So if you hit it, the whole thing might fall down. It is fun to live here forever because there are all the fish in the world to play with! And you can go in the castle and ride on the flying car. But it might run out of gas so be careful. And be careful not to open the magic box. Then you cannot come back to this setting. -Michelle
Early Stages Teaching Artist, Julia Morris worked with the wonderful students of PS 33. In the 3rd grade, through interactive storytelling and drama, students explore the structure of folktales and create their own stories. Here is an example of a Circle Story by a 3rd grade student:
 Illustration by Devin E. Haqq A Hiker’s Wish
One day a hiker went hiking at 11:50 a.m. at 12 o’clock he reached the top. He yodeled. But then he saw that cars on the road were honking louder than his yodel. He wanted to be louder so he said,
“I wish I was a car!”
One…two…three…BOOM! He was a car! He could go anywhere! He could go a 110 MPH! VROOOM! He was loud! But then he heard something even louder. It was a race car. It had more sounds than a regular car. He said, “I wish I was a race car!”
One..two..three…BOOM! He was a race car! He went around the track, he was even faster and louder than before. He went out of the track and heard bells ringing, he saw a fire truck. It was even louder than the race car! “I wish I was a firetruck!”
One…two..three…BOOM! He was a fire truck! He got to go put out a fire, help people, and be really loud. Then he heard a very loud roar. It was a monster truck. He said, “I wish I was a monster truck!”
One…two…three…BOOM! He was a monster truck! “Yay!” he thought, “I’m a monster truck, I can be mad and loud!” Then he heard a new noise. He followed it. His brother was yodeling on the mountain. He listened. He thought, it would be louder, if I was there yodeling too,“I wish I was a hiker!”
One…two…three…BOOM! He was a hiker. But it was 8:00 pm. Bedtime! So, before he went to bed he made one last wish, “Tomorrow I don’t want to change. I want to stay a hiker and go hiking.”
“An actor and filmmaker by trade, I have been drawing and creating art since the age of 3 years old. For three consecutive years, I received a scholarship to the Columbus College of Art and Design Children’s Summer Program in Columbus, Ohio. I later studied Political Cartooning at Watkins Institute in Nashville, TN. My main influences have been comic books, graphic novels, travels, and dreams. I am extremely proud to be an Early Stages Guest Illustrator, contributing a visual element to the profound stories born of the Early Stages Storytelling Program.”
-Devin E.
 An Eary Stages student poses with Alicia Keys On Monday, Early Stages students from the Academy of Finance and Enterprise were thrilled to see Stick Fly and meet Alicia Keys!
One student, who had never been to a Broadway show, called the trip “a dream come true.”
That evening, there was a bonus – a “talk back” with Alicia Keys and the cast. One excited student jumped up and asked: “What does Stick Fly mean?” Tracy Tom, one of the actors, responded by comparing the way scientists stick flies to a stick to study them to the way the family was stuck together in their vacation home, allowing them to get to know each other more deeply.
In response to another question, actor Ruben Santiago Hudson said that “in the theater the ending is not really an ending, but rather a beginning for the audience.”
For these Early Stages students, it was the beginning of a new way to look at life – reflecting on experiences by seeing them interpreted on stage.
 A group of Early Stages students at Stick Fly
 Teachers from Academy of Finance and Enterprise rewarded their students’ hard work this fall semester with a trip to Carnegie Hall. Students went to see A Joyful Noise, a performance by the New York Choral Society and Brooklyn Philharmonic.
Before the performance commenced, students marveled at the grandeur of Carnegie Hall, “It’s so beautiful in here!” remarked one student. Another exclaimed, “I’ve never seen anything like this!”
The students heard music by Hayden, Verdi, Puccini, and Poulenc; “If you close your eyes you can hear so many layers to the music.”
Students were also completely impressed by the choir’s Soprano, Anita Johnson. “I never knew someone could sing that way!”
Early Stages educator and professional singer Rhonda Liss performed as well! A fantastic seasonal time was had by all!
 Students with Actor, Dule Hill This week, Early Stages students went to see Stick Fly, the new Broadway play by Lydia R. Diamond.
“They had an amazing time. My students came back talking about the show to anyone who would listen.” – Teacher, Williamsburg High School for Architecture
They saw themselves and their families reflected in the characters on stage:
“It reminded me of how my family would act if I brought a new girlfriend home.” -Peterson, University Heights High School
“I felt like I was sitting in my own living room.” -Denecia, Brooklyn Job Corps
“All the personalities of the characters in the show provoked my own self-examination.” -Willie, Washington Irving High School
 Brooklyn Job Core Students Before the Show They also learned a few valuable lessons about personal growth:
“Stick Fly taught me to always control and respect myself.” -Michelet, LoMA
“Don’t let your past determine who you are.” -Danielle, Williamsburg High School for Architecture
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Last week Early Stages students from Queens High School for the Sciences at York College went to see How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, the famous musical comedy starring Nick Jonas! Here are what students took away from the revival:
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