BEVERLY, MA – Young children and older adults can learn and share so much together through the common language of musical theater. The North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) in Massachusetts is making it a reality. With the creation of NSMT’s inter-generational music theater project, the Horizons Program, local seniors and elementary students are coming together to create a unique musical theater experience.
First piloted in 2006, the Horizons Program has grown to unite seniors from the Beverly Council on Aging and the Danvers Senior Center, and residents from Brooksby Village in Peabody, Mass., with third grade students from the Hannah School in Beverly, Mass.; Highland Elementary School in Danvers, Mass.; Brookwood Elementary School in Manchester, Mass.; and the Cutler School in Hamilton, Mass. Under the direction of NSMT education staff, the seniors and students rehearse together to create a musical theater revue for public performance.
“Musical theater has the ability to reach people of all backgrounds and ages,” explained NSMT Director of Education Burgess Clark. “I was inspired to develop this program by seeing so many grandparents bringing their grandchildren to the theater. Students and seniors have so much to teach each other and the Horizons Program is a natural fit.”
To kick off the 2007 season, NSMT brought the Horizons Program to Beverly’s Hannah School and the Beverly Council on Aging. Susan Snyder, principal of the Hannah School in Beverly, saw an instant connection between her students and the seniors.
“It’s a unique opportunity for our third graders to meet local seniors in a creative and productive setting,” said Snyder. “The program is generating tremendous interest among the teachers and students. Everyone wants to be involved.”
Involved with the Horizons Program pilot, Brooksby Village residents are now introducing the program to third graders from the Cutler School.