The Arts develop skills and habits of mind that are important for workers in the new economy of ideas.
- Alan Greenspan, Former US Federal Reserve Chairman

When Children participate in theater and the arts, Research has shown us they develop 1: Improved literacy skills     Independent and critical thinking Increased ability to solve problems     Social growth and the ability to work with others A healthy release of emotion

This is because Children become more invested in their own learning when they have an artistic medium to work through.

Illinois Children desperately need more access to the Arts 2

• 20% of Illinois principals report having no arts program in their schools.
• 1 in 10 Illinois school districts has no certified arts teachers in any arts discipline anywhere in the district.
• The most significant barrier to arts education is budget and time.
• Illinois is far behind rest of the country in arts education.

Emerald City Theatre is a premiere Gateway to the Arts for Illinois Children.

As the 5th most attended non-profit theater in Chicago, Emerald City serves over 60,000 Pre-K and elementary age children. As such we have a greater obligation to the children of Chicago so Emerald City Theatre has been rapidly building its Theater School Education programs. During the 2007-2008 school year 585 students received over 13,000 hours of theater participation through Emerald City Theatre School. This is a snapshot of what’s been accomplished:

Summer Camp 2007 160 campers ages 4 – 14 became creative problem solvers on Pirate Treasure Hunts got to know themselves better while playing “Emotion Ball” gained self confidence by leaning songs and dances to High School Musical – and performed them on the Victory Gardens Theater stage! Theater School Sessions 1 & 2 served 145 students ages 3.5 – 5 learned co-operation as Pirates & Mermaids ages 6 – 10 learned to create their own stories in Triple Threat After School Off-site 150 students served Nettelhorst, Mt. Carmel, Wildwood, Ravenswood Schools As a team created and performed their own stories After School Matters - Through Maggie Daley’s highly acclaimed program, Emerald City Teaching Artists: taught 100 students from Schurz and Frederick Douglas High Schools theater games to focus on teamwork and problem solving These high school students in turn taught them to elementary students!

Of the 585 students served, 5% participated through Emerald City’s Scholarship Program. While this is fine – we’d like to do much better. Our goal is to raise $10,000 in scholarships to be used during the 2008 – 2009 season so we can increase the percent served to 25%! Please consider helping us build our 08-09 Scholarship Fund designed to provide aid to children of low-income families. Here are three ways you can make a difference today!

$1,000 – Name a Scholarship Fund. You may name this fund (maybe after a Grandparent, a Child or a Family Name). The Fund Name will be listed on our website and in our playbill. It will be drawn upon throughout the 08-09 year. As the provider of this fund, your family will receive quarterly updates on student recipients and their progress!

$500 – Sends a child in need to Summer Camp. At the end of the Summer you will receive a letter from the recipient student showing you what they learned!

$25 - $250 – goes towards the General Fund. You will receive an Annual Report on how the General Fund benefits hundreds of Chicago children in need and helps to complete their development.

Please consider a gift of support. You can click below to make your gift today. $50, $100, $500, $1,000 – any size gift will help us bring the power of theater to every Chicago family. Thank you!