News Article

'Seussical' Embraces MLK Students

By Sarah Dargus, Theatre Arts PR Assistant
Gonzaga University (’07)

Art. We know it when we see it and in Spokane it’s everywhere – across the river and up the stairs. We did art as children, some do it as adults, and some fortunate few are even able to create a living doing art. Some teach it, some participate in it, some appreciate it, and some just aren’t very good at it. Above all, though, art brings us all together.

Through the collaborative efforts of the Spokane Art School’s “ArtReach” program, the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center, and Gonzaga University theatre arts program, “Seussical™” the musical is bringing us together. Through the sharing of ideas and connections, these programs and their people have combined to give students at MLK Center an opportunity to be real artists with their very own exhibit.

“Seussical™” embodies the unforgettable characters and lessons within Dr. Seuss books that generations of children have come to know and love. As the second show in the 2006-2007 Russell Theatre season, “Seussical™” is in rehearsal, the set is bright and bold, the costumes are imaginative, and the stage is set for great art.

Conveniently, theatre lobbies also make great settings for art exhibits.

Thus the journey begins Jillian Foster, program director at Spokane Art School, met Summer Berry, costumer, instructor, and marketing coordinator for Gonzaga theatre arts. After sharing their current projects with one another, a new opportunity arose — creating “Seussical™”-inspired art to display in the Russell Theatre Lobby for the run of the show. Foster contacted Gibson-Smith, told him the idea, and the rest is art.

Conveniently, theatre lobbies also make great settings for art exhibits.

Thus the journey begins.

When Jillian Foster, program director at Spokane Art School, met Summer Berry, costumer, instructor, and marketing coordinator for Gonzaga theatre arts, the two soon knew that “Seussical™” would inspire children to create and display their artwork in the Russell Theatre Lobby -- for the run of the show. Foster contacted Spokane Art School Instructor Jeff Gibson-Smith, to tell him the idea, and the rest is, well, art.

Twice a week for 75 minutes, Gibson-Smith (or “Mr. Jeff” as the MLK students call him) comes to MLK, is received with hugs, and teaches art. “Mr. Jeff” is able to teach the MLK students through the Spokane Art School’s ArtReach program.

After agreeing to do the “Seussical™” art project with his students, Gibson-Smith said, “I’ve had ideas from the beginning…. I have a great big game-plan but I have to adapt to the kids. I like for them to have freedom.” For five weeks, the students prepared multiple group art projects to display in the theatre lobby. According to Gibson-Smith, all of the youngsters wanted to take their artwork home and show someone, but alas, their eagerness to share their art must wait until showtime.

In his second year of teaching at MLK, Gibson-Smith has found new lessons to teach during the “Seussical™” project. “I have been able to read to the kids and discuss lessons from Dr. Seuss books as well as teaching art,” he said. In such a dynamic learning environment, Gibson-Smith finds he must constantly adjust projects to the children’s interests and respond to their insights.

“My favorite part was making ‘The Whos,’ ” said one young artist. “The Whos” were a resounding student favorite (and also required the most hot glue).

“This project is different because there is a final product to be on display at the end, which is different for the kids,” Gibson-Smith said. “This also has given me the opportunity to explain to the kids what it’s like to be a professional artist.”

On Thursday, Feb. 1, preview night for “Seussical,™” the burgeoning artists and their families were invited to see the show for free. Also, Gibson-Smith planned to hold an “exhibit party” for his students that day to further illustrate what it’s like to be an artist.

“Since the beginning, the kids have looked forward to seeing their art on display,” he said. “The MLK students and staff members have been excited about the project and continue to be excited.”

With all the fun with Mr. Jeff and The Whos, it’s no wonder the excitement is building elsewhere, too.

“We are so excited to have student art in our Lobby and to work with MLK and the Spokane Art School,” said Gonzaga Theatre’s Berry. “This kind of partnering is what art is all about.”

The MLK students’ art in the Russell Theatre Lobby includes “The Whos of Whoville,” a 4-foot mobile of colorful fish from “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” fame and more.

“Seussical™” the musical runs Feb. 2, 3, 9, and 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 4, 10, and 11 at 2 p.m.

To learn more about the partnering organizations, go online and visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center and the Spokane Art School.

Ticket sales began Jan. 22, and are $6 for children and students, $10 for GU faculty and staff, and $12 for adults. Group rates are available for 20 or more people. Call Russell Theatre box office at (509) 323-6553. For more information contact Sarah Dargus via e-mail or Summer Berry at (509) 323-3606.