Funding Drop for Arts Forces Parents to Seek Alternative Programs

When I was in school, a million or so years ago, we had an abundance of art programs. I participated in all of them that time and money allowed at the time. Drama classes and clubs, multiple choirs, art class and clubs.. You name it, I was interested. All the way through high school, it was my favorite time of day. This may seem inconsequential to you, but I graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA. 

Now, as professional photographer that runs a photography and design company, I suppose you can say it's still my favorite time. I cannot help but firmly believe that my history of being exposed to the arts in so many ways as a child helped to form my love for my chosen career. 

With that fact, it kills me to know that the funding for art programs in schools have been diminished by so much. I have no idea who I would be, what I would be doing, or if I ever would have found my extreme passion for photography. Having access to the arts taught me both discipline and healthy releases for my strong creative traits. It taught me to search for and appreciate the natural beauty and unique patterns that constantly surround us. I believe that if those classes and clubs can teach me that much, it can do even more for upcoming generations.

The U.S. Department of Education recommends the arts to college-bound middle and junior high school students, “Many colleges view participation in the arts and music as valuable experience that broadens students’ understanding and appreciation of the world around them.” The arts are one of the six subject areas in which the College Board recognizes as essential in order to thrive in college—and are generating an estimated $37 billion with a return of $3.4 billion in federal income taxes.

It is also documented that children who receive music training in preschool have enhanced spatial-temporal reasoning and that students with courses in music scored higher in the SAT than students with no arts participation. Involvement in the arts is associated with advancement in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skill. This learning can also improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork.

Somehow, in spite of all of the facts that are nothing but positive reinforcement to continue these programs, the budgets for music and the arts are continually growing smaller. Parents have been forced to begin searching for alternatives to have these things in their children's lives.

I recently met a young man, who was the inspiration for this post, named Brandon Banks. He is a young entrepreneur that sponsors and coordinates talent shows, drama classes, musicals, dinner theatre performances, many other types of events, and most importantly, has begun a childrens theatrical company located in Troy, MO and serves children and teens ages 5-18.

Spot Light Stars and its students are led by a talented and passionate group, with Brandon being the sole proprietor and having the support of two amazing other directors to bring a full balance and variety of knowledge to the students. The other two directors are Sandy Turpin and Ellen Richards. Sandy Turpin is the current drama teacher at Troy Middle School, and Ellen Richards has previously served as the drama teacher at the Troy Buchanan High School. He states, "with this wide variety of knowledge and experience, Spot Light Stars has a little bit for everyone."

In the past year, Spot Light Stars has produced six productions, including "The Troy-Mendous Talent Show" (In collaboration with the Troy Buchanan High School Future Business Leaders of America Chapter), "The Entertainer's Experience" (a six week acting class), The Wizard of Oz, and Peter Pan.

The children involved seem to be soaking up the knowledge and experience, learning independence, teamwork and cooperation along the way. Jennifer McRae's eight year old daughter, Katheryne, has been involved in Spot Light Stars since the very beginning, due to her natural love of acting.

Her mother tells me, "She has been interested in performing pretty much since she could walk and talk. Any where we go that has a stage, she has to end up on it. When the papers came home about Spot Light Stars, we talked about it and she couldn't wait to participate. She has performed in The Princess and the Pea, The Wizard of Oz and Peter Pan. Along with that she has done the Drama-Ramas that have been offered. She loves Brandon and Ms. Sandy. They are awesome with her and the other kids. She is finishing third grade and says she can't wait to be in Middle School so she can be in Ms. Sandy's drama class."

Candace Rice's daughter, twelve-year-old Rianna participated in both drama camps last summer and a couple of the one-day workshops available over the winter.

"She especially enjoys improv. She loves to sing and is very artistic, so when I saw the info for the first drama camp last year, I knew it was something she would enjoy. I was glad to find such a great camp so close to home. Rianna enjoyed working as part of the crew during the The Wizard of Oz, and being one of the mermaids in Peter Pan. She made new friends, had a great time, and learned something, too."

Both girls are also looking forward to this summer's expected programs, Alice in Wonderland and either Robin Hood or Tom Sawyer. Spot Light Stars will be having their rehearsals and performances at Troy's Bonfils Auditorium. If you add their Facebook page, you can find out how to get an application for your own children and/or I'm sure you'll be kept up to date on when the performances are so attend and be reminded of how important these experiences are in a child's life.

Would you like to help this wonderful organization? Contact Brandon Banks at futuretycoon95@gmail.com. Every donation, no matter how small, will help to make this season an even larger success. If, however, your company would like to be a sponsor, it is only $200 for the sponsorship package. That will include a logo on everyone's t-shirts and will be accompanied by a small message from or about the sponsor in the show's program. The children are said to wear their t-shirts all year long—not only would your company be providing a good deed to a worthy organization, it is also potentially a marketing strategy.

With him being barely out of school, I was curious as to why Brandon has dedicated so much time to this project.

His response, "I have gone through my life with my feet firmly planted on the stage; acting is my passion, life, and career. I have been fortunate enough to have my own theatrical arts company: Spot Light Stars. I am a young entrepreneur, with many aspirations to grow in the field of theatrical arts."

My honest and true hope is that this company grows and becomes larger than he ever expected. That it inspires others to do something similar, for the sake of the next generation, who are at the threat of never benefitting from art, music and theatre programs. 

"Build tomorrow's future, today." —Brandon Banks