‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ kicks off Yerba Buena’s arts program




The Yerba Buena Elementary School community has launched new program called YB BEAT– Bridging Arts and Technology.

The After-School Enrichment for Performing Arts is one of the many ways in which YB BEAT supports the students’ artistic and creative abilities.

YB BEAT’s first production is Washington — Andrea Irving’s classic director, After- story, “The Legend Theater Arts of Sleepy Hollow” which will be presented at 7 p.m. tonight, Thurs., Nov. 15 in Yerba Buena’s multipurpose room, 6098 Reyes Adobe Road, Agoura Hills. Admission is a suggested $10 donation.

Students had the opportunity to work with professional costume designers and set designer artists. One student was so excited about the costume designer she said that she would like to do that for her job one day.

Andrea Tate, a supporter of the important role theatre plays in academic and social development, the director of the After-School Theater Arts Program. She is working with Principal Christina Desiderio to implement the new arts focus at the school.

Tate is also a professional theater director, drama teacher and performer. She has directed and performed Off-Broadway, in regional theater and locally.

Through the Master of Fine Arts program at Antioch University in Los Angeles, Tate is working on a field study on the academic and social effects of performing arts in school curriculums. Tate is passionate about the role theatre plays in education. “I do not know where I would be today if my elementary school did not

Tate offer performing

School arts enrichment,” Program said Tate. “I have thrived as an individual because of my exposure to theater, having been encouraged by my mentors to express myself creatively. want to see every student have the same opportunity I had.

“Theater has taught me to think critically and to collaborate with others on a community level for higher purpose. In today’s environment we are becoming more isolated with certain technology habits like video games, texting and Facebook. Theater is a healthy informative way in which students can work together face to face towards a common goal. Theater vital in encouraging students to communicate and speak publicly in front of their peers.” said Tate.

The school seeks to update space which will be used for theater productions. Currently the theater arts program uses the stage of the multipurpose room which creates many challenges.

YB-Beat’s program is intended as a springboard for students entering the arts programs of the district’s middle school and high schools.



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