In keeping with the mission of RBKids to enrich the lives of our students through the arts, Encounter: NY is a staff-created project that allows ACTE II students and teaching artists accustomed to rehearsals and classes the opportunity to examine the world of arts beyond performing. RBKids staff made the experience even more unique by maintaining a small group for each outing: some students were taken by themselves, and groups didn’t exceed four students. Those who participated went backstage at Disney’s The Lion King; observed rehearsals for the Metropolitan Opera and the Paul Taylor Dance Company; and toured various exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Frick Museum, the American Folk Art Museum, the Museum of Natural History and the International Center of Photography.
Given exclusive access to some of the most exciting venues in New York City and treated to lunch by our staff, students were able to take advantage of the tremendous resources Manhattan has to offer in terms of culture, food, and the arts, and were given the chance to view the city they call home in ways they may never have without Rosie’s Broadway Kids. While numerous people have toured NYC, there are few who have viewed the hectic backstage of The Lion King during a live performance, sat in on a private vocal coaching for a soloist at the Met, or have been shown around the Frick Museum by one of its private curators! The experience was eye-opening not only for students, but also for staff both at RBKids and the institutions that graciously accommodated us. As “awestruck” as one chaperone observed our students to be, adults on both ends of Encounter: NY were equally affected by the enthusiasm of the kids – a reminder of why exactly it is we continue to do what we do as educators dedicated to our students and the arts.