Taft Elementary Principal Steve Longacre Honored

Steve Longacre with Center VP, Education Talena Mara at OCMAA Awards.

Steve Longacre, principal of Taft Elementary School in Santa Ana, was honored for his 35 years as an educator and 25 years at Taft Elementary during the recent Orange County Music and Arts Administrators awards celebration. He earned the Outstanding Administrator Award for his superior dedication to support arts education at Taft Elementary. Taft has been a Center ArtsConnect partner since 2004. The Center has collaborated with Steve and his faculty on many projects, including those specifically designed for the deaf and hard of hearing students. Through the years, teaching artists such as Andrew Grueschow and the cast of STOMP have held special workshops and performed for the Taft Tigers. Congratulations, Mr. Longacre! 

Andrew Grueschow conducts workshop for deaf and hard of hearing students.  

Cast of STOMP performs for Taft Tigers.

The Center Receives Santa Ana Commendation

Terry Dwyer receiving special commendation from Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido.

Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido presented Center President Terry Dwyer with a special Award of Recognition at the May 7 City Council meeting. In his remarks, Mayor Pulido expressed thanks on behalf of the city for the Center’s contributions to the schools, students, educators and residents of Santa Ana. Many schools and students in Santa Ana have benefited from a range of programs offered by the Center, including Arts Teach, Summer at the Center and special events conducted by the casts of the Trey McIntyre Project, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, In the Heights and STOMP. 

STOMPing Success!

Cast of STOMP performing at Taft Elementary

During last week's successful visit at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the cast of STOMP not only thrilled Center audiences with its high energy creative performances but also engaged with the community and helped to make a difference.

Thanks to the generosity of our great patrons who brought in canned goods during STOMP Out Hunger, we collected more than 500 pounds of canned food items that will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank.

STOMPing Grounds at Founders Hall

Another great success was STOMPing Grounds, the pre-show activity taking place at Founders Hall. Audience members were able to become STOMPers themselves by jamming out with items similar to props used in the show. Urban percussion performer and Segerstrom Center Arts Teach artist Andrew Grueschow led each session of STOMPing Grounds and depending on the night, actual cast members would visit and help lead sessions as well.


STOMP and DHH Students at Taft Elementary

Nearly 300 students from Taft Elementary in Santa Ana, including deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) as well as hearing students from third through sixth grade classes assembled for a special outdoor performance as STOMPers used every day items to showcase how vibrations create sound waves. Following the performance, 40 DHH students participated in a workshop led by STOMP cast memebers.

So the next time you find yourself tapping your toes or drumming on pots & pans, just smile knowing you are celebrating your inner STOMPer.

STOMPPORTUNITIES

STOMP returns to Segerstrom Center for the Arts (October 9-14, 2012) bringing its unique combination of percussion, movement and visual comedy.

To heighten the STOMP experience, there will be two great ways to become further involved: STOMPing Grounds and STOMP Out Hunger.

Patrons can become unofficial STOMPERS by participating in the pre-show activity STOMPing Grounds, 75 minutes before all performances at Founders Hall. Those participating are given the opportunity to jam out with found items similar to props used in the show.

Another great opportunity while doing some good and helping out right here in Orange County is to join the fight and STOMP Out Hunger. As part of the STOMP Out Hunger initiative, patrons are encouraged to bring canned goods with them which will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank.

For more information please click here.