Dancing
their way through history
“One
could live a lifetime in Michigan
And still have wonder to explore…
For always…
There is beauty for the heart that understands.”
-- Gwen Frostic
Music, dance, poetry, artwork, and history came together
in an outstanding way on February 17 on the stage at Onekama
Consolidated Schools.
My Michigan: A Creative Place was a multimedia performance presented by
the second and third grade students of Sally Catanese and Gretchen
Eichberger-Kudlack. It featured narrated text adapted from Gwen
Frostic’s book, My Michigan, as well as original dance and artwork
created by the students.
The original production, which was conceived and directed by Gretchen
Eichberger-Kudlack, was divided into ten distinct performance pieces.
Each chapter conveyed a special element of Michigan life, including
Industry, Flowers, Education, Trees, Man’s Monuments, Wildlife, Roads,
Birds, Man and Science, and Water.
Through narration, dance, and artwork, the students were able to create
a living portrait of our state. They brought to life its history, its
treasures, and its promises for our future.
“The dances showed natural occurrences like flowers, from seeds in the
soil to magnificent blooms,” explained Eichberger-Kudlack. “The Great
Lakes and all their wonder - from calm stillness to thunderous waves.
Then we have our man-made contributions - the great Mackinac Bridge, our
prestigious universities, and the creative and routine work that
industry provides us.”
The text for the performance was inspired by the writings of Northern
Michigan’s own Gwen Frostic. |
A Michigan icon, Gwen Frostic’s
illustrations, writings, entrepreneurship, and philosophy continue to
inspire millions worldwide.
The
production provided more than entertainment. It was intricately tied to
the Michigan History curriculum, and it was used as a unique teaching
tool to help students understand the diverse riches and resources of our
state.
“Intellectual, physical and emotional growth are stimulated through
movement experiences,” said Eichberger-Kudlack. “In the process of
creating a dance, the students are given problems to solve that pertain
to their formal academic lessons. In this case the content was civics,
economics, and geography.”
Bringing civics, economics, and geography to life are not small
challenges, but when done well, reap great rewards. “The dances were
very creative and fun to do. It made learning more fun,” commented
Onekama student Kelly Timmons.
As they danced to the music of Ray LaMontagne, Bela Bartok, Johann
Sebastian Bach,
Robert Schumann, Camille-Saint-Saens, and Claude Debussy, the joy the
students were experiencing was evident on their faces. What was also
unmistakable was the preparation and work that led to this impressive
performance, and a clear appreciation for all that Michigan has to
offer. |
