Pullens' A Train

DREAMGIRLS TICKET COMPETITION UPDATE:

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 20:48:02 -0400

Round Two (through Nov 28) prizes for staff include $500 American Express Gift certificates for each member of the winning team, plus amazing grab bag prizes (like free Marriott hotel nights) for the individual seller of the most tickets. Student prizes for the highest ticket sellers include an I-PAD and upcoming concert tickets to be announced.

November is our big month —- Goal: 3,000 tickets sold. Let’s do this!

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Sun, 31 Oct 2010 20:32:26 -0400

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Sun, 31 Oct 2010 20:19:30 -0400

WB 10.25 THE BROWN BAG LUNCH DIALOGUES

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 20:09:00 -0400

Still available for any staff (not just teachers): November 12, 19, 30 to just sit down with you one-on-one, no agenda, no planned topics, no evaluation review—-just two colleagues sitting down having a brown bag lunch (bring whatever you want) and dialoguing from 11:45 am to 12:20 pm. If you ever wanted your individual voice to be heard, this is a time to do it.

WB 10.10 TICKET SALES COMPETITION EXTENDED TO OCTOBER 18!

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:24:17 -0400

Some staff asked for more weekends to get their tickets sales up, so we are giving this this long weekend and next weekend to do what you do! Nothing’s at stake but a grand prize that we’ll have to pick (since I got no replies to my inquiry of what you wanted :) Heck, I guess we have a different motivation to make this show work, but we’ll have you covered! :) Remember, at least 10 tickets have to be sold to qualify for the prize and we are asking that each staff member sell a minimum of ten.

ARE YOU GETTING CREDIT FOR ALL TICKETS SALES?: (see attached review of process) Make sure your name is provided in the proper place online. If there are problems, contact Mr. Newman at ronnienext@aol.com. Just want to bring in some cash or checks for tickets? That works just as well as Visa or Mastercard too. Bring all cash or checks to Mr. Newman, Theatre Operations Manager and you will receive tickets right then as well. Remember, one gets credit for each ticket when a group buys in your name.

Purchase Tickets!

Thanks!

Rory

“Take The A Train”- Duke Ellington

Sat, 09 Oct 2010 21:20:00 -0400

“Take The A Train”- Duke Ellington

“This is not piano this is dreaming.” - Duke...

Sat, 09 Oct 2010 20:55:25 -0400

“This is not piano this is dreaming.” - Duke Ellington

WB 10.4

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Ok, today is one of the professional development intros. :) A parent shared this Sept 6, 2010 NY Times article (I’ve cited my source, English teachers :) with me earlier this year and I thought it was quite interesting for us as educators, particularly at an arts school.

Enjoy your week! Enjoy your WB! (and the WB is long, but with alot of important information) These WB’s are becoming quite the writing experience for me, but this is the way that we cut down on having so many formal staff meetings. So, take time to read and discuss with your department as needed.

Forget What You Know About Good Study Habits - By BENEDICT CAREY Published: September 6, 2010, The New York Times

Every September, millions of parents try a kind of psychological witchcraft, to transform their summer-glazed campers into fall students, their video-bugs into bookworms. Advice is cheap and all too familiar: Clear a quiet work space. Stick to a homework schedule. Set goals. Set boundaries. Do not bribe (except in emergencies).

And check out the classroom. Does Junior’s learning style match the new teacher’s approach? Or the school’s philosophy? Maybe the child isn’t “a good fit” for the school.

Such theories have developed in part because of sketchy education research that doesn’t offer clear guidance. Student traits and teaching styles surely interact; so do personalities and at-home rules. The trouble is, no one can predict how.

Continue reading article here

"I’ve come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It’s my..."

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 00:24:32 -0400

“”I’ve come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or de-humanized.””

- Master teacher Dr. Haim Ginott

WB 9.27 Brighten Your Day Comments

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 22:21:42 -0400

Here’s some “brighten your day” comments:

(from a college professor) A conversation was had the other day with Dr. Patricia Miller, the head of the Voice Department at George Mason University, where about 20 of our alums now attend. Mason is a 4-year “3.5” school—not easy. Her comment was about how impressed she continues to be with our students, not just musically or vocally, but as academic students: they are doing very well.

What a day-brightener!

(from a parent)……….just on a personal note - I have two graduates from Duke Ellington that are doing GREAT in college! My daughter graduates next month with a 3.8 from Rutgers! - and I know it is because of the academic program she was exposed to at Duke Ellington.

What a day brightener!

This is from a former graduate of our department (1999) who became a male fashion model and has been featured in several music videos, (he was the “boyfriend” who was kicked to the curb in the “Irreplaceable” video featuring “Beyonce”. His print was given to Michelle Obama as a gift from our school.

“I have been traveling hectic. This is very special to me knowing that Michelle Obama is even holding it and I am even more overwhelmed with what you have done and continue to do for all students at Duke. OMG I don’t know what to do with myself. One day I know, as I seen myself from the crowd to the stage…I will speak and encourage all those students at Duke that dreams do come true, especially for a rebellious character like myself. They don’t make em like they used to and times are better so there is NO excuse why education and talented gifts are not First priority. Thank you Thank you Thank you. I can cherish this moment for the rest of my Life.”

What a day brightener! Need I say more? Ok, I will! :)

(from a parent to a teacher) This note comes with sincere appreciation for having had the opportunity to meet you last Thursday evening at Duke Ellington’s open house. Thank you for your contribution to my child’s development and educational experience. I was thrilled to have first hand insight as to what goes on in the classroom as well as course requirements and expectations. I am a committed partner in her education so please feel free to contact me with any concerns you may have. I feel privileged to know that she is being exposed to such exemplary training and professionalism as exists at your fine institution.

In closing I will share a quote from master teacher Dr. Haim Ginott. ”I’ve come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or de-humanized.” Thank you for choosing to teach!

It doesn’t get any better than that! Enjoy your week! Enjoy your WB!

Michelle Obama Recycles Moschino Print Dress for Clinton Event (stylelist.com)
Michelle Obama’s Wide Legged Pantsuit Steals The Show (PHOTOS, POLL) (huffingtonpost.com)

Dear Ellington Family,Mark your calendars for December 2 – 18th...

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:28:00 -0400

Dear Ellington Family,

Mark your calendars for December 2 – 18th because DREAMGIRLS is coming to the Ellington Theatre! Plans are progressing well for our staff to produce and our students to perform in this award-winning production. School-wide initiatives like DREAMGIRLS are an integral part of the Ellington experience, exposing students to the real-life world of working in tandem to successfully pull off a production that requires teamwork, talent and leadership. What you may not know, however, is the back story that has motivated this “dream”. Please read on and get a better understanding of what support we will need from you—-our Ellington families, friends and community.

While Ellington enjoys a national reputation as a premiere arts school, it hasn’t come easy given our financial realities. The recessive economic situation that has affected all of us has hit Ellington especially hard. In the past two years, Ellington’s budget has been reduced by over one million dollars! Yet somehow, we have been able to retain the integrity of our academic and arts program. How?

Last year, the entire Ellington staff took a one-day furlough every month to protect their
colleagues from losing their jobs and to assure the maintenance of the quality of our program. We were extraordinarily lucky to have Stevie Wonder hold a benefit concert for us in February which also helped to stave-off staff layoffs.

That was last school year. This school year, we once again face a daunting $1 million budget shortfall, even though our enrollment is at a historical high. One way to solve this problem would be to eliminate some of our arts classes and slash personnel. But, we are the DUKE ELLINGTON SCHOOL OF THE ARTS and losing any aspect of our dual curriculum program would compromise the very essence of what makes our students successful.

So, as artists, we decided to get creative! We would not cut; we would build! We would not depend upon others to save us; we would create something so magnificent, so fantastic, so astounding, that the entire DC metropolitan region would stand up and say——“we’ve gotta support those young people at Duke Ellington who are committed saving their program!”

DREAMGIRLS is the largest undertaking ever for an Ellington performance! Nearly 200
students will be involved in cast and crew, every arts major and staff from every department—-arts and academic. We’ve got a Broadway set designer and a Hollywood costume designer working with students; a lot of companies are chipping in pro bono or at reduced cost to help. Davis Construction has already sent over lumber for set construction and singer Shania Twain is basically giving us her sound system valued at $400,000 so our student voices can be professionally projected. Fourteen shows, our longest run ever, will bring over 10,000 patrons through our doors, and one special gala night with the original Dreamgirl herself—-Jennifer Holliday—-is scheduled for December 9th!

Our Ellington Fund is out securing sponsorships and staff is working on community and group sales. We’re sparing no effort to put together this breathtaking spectacle, but we desperately need your helping hand. We are aiming to sell out every show to maximize the return, so we are asking that every Ellington family be responsible for selling at least ten tickets. I know, you don’t have a family of ten in your immediate family. So, we might have to go “ole’ school” on ticket sales and maybe do like the Girl Scouts and sell in front of grocery stores, take some to church, call up the relatives (even the ones out of town who are happy to support a teenager doing something right J), sell some at work… You know how to get this done!

Just think, ten tickets sold by 500 Ellington families alone sell half of the house run right there. When it’s all said and done, we would have raised an important part of our budget challenge. This, however, is just one component of our overall plan. Administration is also engaged in other initiatives that will help rectify the total budget.

Some of you don’t believe. That’s okay. I didn’t believe I’d live to see an African-American elected President either. J But dreams do come true! But, we can’t wait until November to start. We must work hard now! You can start selling tickets immediately through our online box office at www.ellingtonschool.org or by calling the Ellington Box Office, 202-337-4825. Tickets range from $25, $30 to $35, with Gala Night tickets specially priced at $200. Expect to hear more about how your department is moving forward from your child’s departmental chair and parent group leader.

In every crisis, there is opportunity. This is ours. What’s being done with DREAMGIRLS is the essence of what school should be all about—-a community coming together to do whatever is necessary to protect the educational excellence for their children. These young people at Duke Ellington are not somebody else’s child—-they are ours!

This year our school theme is “We Dream a World…” And as Head of School, I will
not rest until we can make a dream of academic, artistic, programmatic, and financial
success, more than a dream—-but a reality for Duke Ellington! Failure is not an option.

Sincerely,

Rory Pullens
Head of School

Duke Ellington Dreamgirls Production Volunteer Opportunity

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:11:00 -0400

Duke Ellington Dreamgirls Production Volunteer Opportunity

WB 9.20

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Image via Wikipedia

These pieces about the direction of the arts and arts culture impacted by technology I think are quite intriguing. The Ben Cameron link is an highly thought provoking and interesting piece. I don’t agree with all his perceptions, but some valid points are made. And the John Hagan response below is an intellectual comment worth reading. This was all a part of TED Talks: Ideas Worth Spreading. Our LMC students have participated and presented in these conferences before. Check it out.

From John O’Hagan, University of Wyoming, posted on the TED.com comments page:

“To put things in context, I was responding to a few friends of mine who are working professionally in places across the country and had been sort of frightened by Mr. Cameron’s assessment of the pervasiveness of technology - hearing only the demise of the theatre at the hands the up and coming. When they asked if anyone had any thoughts, those were mine. Please share with anyone you feel might be interested.”

“Immersed, as I am, in those individuals who come to my institution having already spent tens of thousands of hours online - I can absolutely attest to Mr. Cameron’s assertion that participation and creation is at an all time high. My students are out filming their latest “webisode” each weekend - two of my students recently won a $25,000 prize for a 15 min short they wrote and shot over the course of a weekend…and on and on…

Additionally, it has been my experience thus far (3 years into this gig), that students no longer perceive the training process as most of us perhaps once did - as a sort of “Master-apprentice” or “transference of tradition and craft” type relationship. They don’t necessarily believe that there is a period wherein they should hone their craft before trying to fully engage it. They’re very used to the idea of “acquiring and doing” almost simultaneously. I believe the internet wires the brain that way. To use a bird analogy that may be overtaxed - they’re quite happy to leap from the nest long before wings are fully developed. They watch each other crash unceremoniously to the ground - and yet - what is perhaps most exciting to me, is that they keep coming back. They climb back in, shake the grass and twigs out of their heads, look to their instructors and sheepishly ask - what part did I miss? While perhaps seemingly “disrespectful” of a tradition or path that I might have taken, they are insatiably curious, amazingly resilient and earnestly eager to learn. And there are more and more of them. Our numbers in terms of enrollment increase each year. I am routinely teaching studio classes with enrollments of 20-30 - far higher than any studio I ever engaged in during my undergrad experience. Do they all belong here? Honestly, no. But is that really the point?

I guess what I’m trying to say is this: It is far too easy to look at what’s happening - to look at those coming behind us and moan and predict dark things to come for our fields. But despite all the evil portents, I am in classes everyday where I still see the fires being ignited behind eyes, where I see students truly understand the value of human to human connection and discover not only the beauty in each other but the beauty within themselves and I see them grow eager to share that with others. It may not be in the medium that I hold dear and is my life’s blood, but again - is that really the point?

I unshakably believe two things: 1) The theatre will not die. It may evolve into something slightly different than what we know now -but it will not die. Ever. As Declan Donnellan asserts - as long as humans dream we will have theatre. And 2) Whatever your current task or “job” is - at some point, perhaps at many points along the way, you either knowingly (and frequently unknowingly) have the opportunity to mentor this next generation of artists. Have faith that they actually do want to get it right. They may not see the need to present and perform in the media you have chosen for yourself, but if the art of acting - if the art of theatre at its core - is an active exploration and excavation of who we are, who we were and who we might become (and I believe that it is) - well, from my experience to date, THEY ABSOLUTELY WANT TO GET IT RIGHT. Recognize that you have the power to shape and encourage that. - John O’Hagan

Enjoy your week! Hope Friday’s casual PD worked for you! Enjoy your WB!!!

Rory Pullens

Head of School / CEO

Duke Ellington School of the Arts

The campus of Duke Ellington School of the Arts

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 01:03:42 -0400

The campus of Duke Ellington School of the Arts

Duke Ellington School of the Arts

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 00:36:00 -0400

Duke Ellington School of the Arts:

Located in Washington, DC, the prestigious Duke Ellington School of the Arts was founded in 1974 and is the only DC public high school that provides professional arts training and college preparation to talented DC public school students. Each student takes a full academic course-load and, additionally, majors in one of eight arts disciplines (Dance, Literary Media, Museum Studies, Instrumental or Vocal Music, Theater, Technical Design and Production, and Visual Arts).