Macomb Center’s Page To Stage Brings Music, Literature, History, Science And Multicultural Studies To Life

Press release from Macomb Community College:

Macomb Community College’s Macomb Center’s Page to Stage, a series of curriculum-connected stage performances for youth ages prekindergarten to eight grade has been reimagined due to the pandemic and is being presented virtually. The performances include adaptations of children’s literature, scientific demonstrations, and musical and dance performances. Each presentation, featuring professional national and international artists, has been prerecorded and is available free of charge to parents and teachers.

“These world-class productions bring to life in new and exciting ways subjects being taught in the classroom,” said William Wood, director, Cultural Affairs and Community Engagement, Macomb Community College. “Due to the pandemic, we’ve shifted to a virtual format, which has also given us the ability to expand our offerings and make available performances not usually accessible.”

Each title will be available virtually for two weeks to 90 days, depending on the production, and run approximately one hour in length. Many of the presentations include free supplemental classroom materials designed to keep students engaged. Since the virtual Page to Stage produced were introduced in November nearly 6,000 people have registered for one of the performances.

Currently playing is Dan + Claudia Zanes Join the Band: Making Music for One and All. During this performance, the Zanes draw on their vast musical and cultural experiences to introduce young people ages pre-k through fifth grade to a wide range of songs and the stories behind them. The presentation, which is available through March 6, is interactive and part concert, part history lesson and part music class.

Also available is Doktor Kaboom’s It’s Just Rocket Science through April 2. Doktor Kaboom uses rocketry to present Newton’s Laws of Motion. Each of Newton’s three laws are clearly explained, comically explored with multiple demonstrations and followed by a project that audience members can do as a class, in groups or individually. Doktor Kaboom is recommended for students in grades five through eight.

Future Page to Stage presentations include:

• The Snail and the Whale – Jan. 18 through Feb. 9
  • Recommended for pre-k through third grade
• Finding North – Feb. 1 through Feb. 14
  • Recommended for grades five and up
• The Brave Little Tailor – Feb. 8 through Feb. 2
  • Recommended for pre-k through fifth grade
• Rhythms of West Africa – Feb. 15 through May 15
  • Recommended for fourth through seventh grade
• The Magic of Science – March 1 through May 28
  • Recommended for grades two through five
• Miss Nelson Has a Field Day – March 15 through March 27
  • Recommended for kindergarten to fifth grade

For more information and to register for these free presentations, go to www.MacombCenter.com. Once registered, you will receive a link to view the performance. For more information, email ArtsEducation@macomb.edu with Page to Stage in the subject line or call 586-226-4759.

This press release was produced by Macomb Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.