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COMMUNITY THEATRE

Skool Of Artistic Revelation (SOAR) is inviting faith leaders and creative arts directors to sign up for the Dramatic Dialogues program. Dramatic Dialogues produces theatrical presentations to spark conversations that raise awareness, promote advocacy, and activate communities. 

 

The 2024 summer production takes a look at the work of grace through the lens of social justice and equity.

to sign up 

Scan the code or visit:
https://forms.gle/NtFTxixymvzPyGFb8 

 

FY24 Arts access

We are pleased to share the news that the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC) has approved Skool of Artistic Revelation for an Arts Access Grant! These awards are extremely competitive, and they are largely supported by revenue from the TN Specialty License Plates program.

As an award recipient, our production of FALLEN FRUIT will uplift the core values of the Tennessee Arts Commission:
Cultivate. Create. Participate.
SOAR will cultivate belonging by creating an arts experience that is accessible to people who identify as D/deaf. Not only will there be American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters at the performances, but there will also be ASL interpreters at rehearsals so that people who identify as D/deaf can participate in the production.

We are grateful to the Tennessee Arts Commission for the generous grant award that will increase accessibility for this arts experience!

If you don’t already have a TN specialty license plate, please consider purchasing one!
Visit tnspecialtyplates.org to learn more.

FALLEN FRUIT

Book & Lyrics by:

Jenita Nakamura

Music & Arrangements:

Created In Community

 

Contact us for more information on partnerships and/or participation.

 

“This is my heart’s love song.”

StoryTunes skate party

Skating to StoryTunes was super fun! Students, family, friends, supporters, and SOAR Board members gathered for a one of a kind listening party! 

It was a night to remember fueled by food, fellowship, and fantastic original music. The overwhelmingly positive feedback was both uplifting and inspirational. 

Here’s to more music debuts from StoryTunes!

Featured Video

Generosity and service took centerstage at the Boys & Girls Club during Holy Week. Students from Clubs across Memphis were granted new socks and shoes at the 2023 feet washing celebration. The joy in the room was immeasurable!

 

Spring break camp success!

The 2023 SOAR Into Spring Camp was a big hit! SOAR staff led Valor Christian High School students through a series of workshops that prepared them to facilitate a week long creative arts camp for the elementary students of Sycamore View Boys & Girls Club. 

Utilizing SOAR arts curriculum, the Valor students learned engagement strategies that helped them gain confidence, connect with their peers, and provide mentorship for younger students

Friendships were forged, leaders were empowered, and fun memories were made!

Featured Video

 Did you hear me singing? I was loud! That was fun.

Joyful student

Our friends at Sycamore View Boys and Girls Club were definitely SANGIN’ at the Sycamore View Church Of Christ sing along… We might have to start us a club gospel choir or something!

Priceless Christmas Joy!

 

Showing up to support

CEO Jenita Nakamura gladly accepted the personal invitation to attend the Kingsbury vs. Westwood games. Karen met Jenita at Kingsbury’s Adopt-A-School luncheon where she was participating in student led tours of the school. The two hit it off right away, and the invitation to come see a game was extended.

Having Jenita actually show up to the game was a pleasant surprise to Karen, and the big smiles in their selfie photo are worth a thousand words.

Go Falcons! We don’t just fly, we SOAR!

Featured Video

Storytelling thru poetry

PLAYMAKERS practicing poetry at Sherwood Middle School. Big thanks to family engagement director Justin for organizing time for us to play and work on our storytelling and literacy skills! 

 

 

 

celebrating new partnerships

 

 

Starting Fall 2022, SOAR has the honor of being part of the Kingsbury adopt a school program. This community connection happened thanks to an introduction from our friends at Sycamore View Church Of Christ.

The program allows organizations to support Kingsbury with donations and services. Because SOAR is an approved arts engagement vendor with Memphis Shelby County Schools, the partnership is a perfect community connection!

Shout out to Celeste, the Kingsbury Family Engagement Coordinator, for putting together a lovely luncheon to express gratitude to the adopters.

 

CUTTIN’ UP FOR BACK TO SCHOOL

 

  • Event hosted by St Matthews United Methodist Church 38111
  • School and art supplies donated by St Matts Members
  • 50 back packs distributed curtesy of Book Nook
  • $3 haircuts by Red Karpet Kuts and Styles
  • Music by Skool Of Artistic Revelation
  • Fun beyond measure!

BACK TO SCHOOL BASH 2022 WAS A SUCCESS!

SOAR collaborated with St. Matthews UMC, Book Nook, and Red Karpet Kuts and Styles to help families kick off the school year! 50 free backpacks, 3 dollar haircuts, tunes, and lots of laughter  was a recipe for success! Special thanks to St Matts member, Tiffany, and Brother Kareem of The Red Karpet Kuts and Styles for generously supporting the Back To School Bash.


SOAR Album Recording

“Serenade Ya”


SOAR recorded “Serenade Ya”, a StoryTunes song that grew from a young person’s idea that worship music is a serenade, or love song to Jesus.

The recording sessions for other songs are underway, and is the EP album is slated to drop later this year!

Check Out Our Profile On LIVEGIVEmidsouth.org

LIVEGIVEmidsouth profiles offer a wealth of information so you can research and donate with confidence. Local 501(c)3 organizations create profiles for themselves and provide information about mission, staff and board, major programs, and finances. Each profile submitted by the nonprofits is reviewed for accuracy and clarity by LIVEGIVEmidsouth staff.

 

We pleased to share that SOAR has received the LIVEGIVEmidsouth signature green checkmark!

View our profile

SOAR SparkS New Ideas


Skool Of Artistic Revelation CEO, Jenita Nakamura, co-facilitated a workshop for educators that sparked creative conversations about devising inclusive theatre for middle and high schoolers. 

 

2022 camp share

 

Scene snippets from the 2022 SOAR Future Filmmakers showcase

 

So much wisdom shared by these amazing young people during the SOAR Future Filmmakers Camp! Working collaboratively, these teens creatively used every inch of space at the the MBAA firehouse to devise, script, dramatize, film, and edit scenes from real life lessons.

On the last night of camp, the filmmakers shared about their favorite camp memories, the tech growth that they made, and they presented their digital works of art in a a showcase for family and friends.

 

 

 

new board Members

(Posted March 2022)

Saint Allen Austin is a writer, producer, and creative director who advocates for arts-integrated education in Memphis and the Mississippi Delta.

 

 

He is the Chief Creative Director for Saint’s Emerald City, an indie production company in Mississippi, and he is the Content Creation Manager at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Memphis.

 

 

Saint is now serving on the boards of the Memphis Black Arts Alliance and SOAR, nonprofits focused on arts and underserved communities.


Saint Allen Austin

 

Jeanine Jones, is a small P.E.A (poet, author, educator) in a big pot, packing a lot of flavor. Hailing from her native windy city roots, Chicago, since 1999 she has made Memphis her home.

Cultural development, the arts, and literacy are important factors in her work. As a creative, arts integration is an essential component of her practice, and in 2019 she became an Orpheum Theatre Group Teaching Artist.

Through her company, speaktomebooks.com, She has written three poetry books for educators and two children’s books. Her motto is “Literacy is Life~ Live!” Because of that personal mantra, she is excited about working with SOAR to improve arts equity


Jeanine Jones

 

have you heard?

The audio/visual components from our fall show have been assembled by Jently Publishing, and we are excited to announce the debut of the Read Between The Lines “real life” skills curriculum based on A FERRY TALE!

By leaning into the story’s high energy music components, we are offering workshops that provide access to the digital study guide featuring scene snippets from the show. Our aim is to engage and inspire more people with the themes of community, collaboration, and restoration that are built into the story of A FERRY TALE.

Learn More

 

(Posted Feb 2022)

Jenita Nakamura

Founder

Whether you’re a student, an artist, an activist, or a supporter, our community welcomes you… and we would love to hear from you anytime!

send us a nOTE

coming soon!


 

READ BETWEEN THE LINES is an interactive curriculum that guides life skills workshops exploring various themes from our 2021 fall musical, A FERRY TALE.

 

Using video-driven content, the curriculum engages students in reflection about the challenges to everyday life- boundary setting, anger management, maintaining healthy relationships, practicing personal safety, managing mental health, and pursuing financial independence.

 

Designed to unpack the twists and turns of everyday living that put our life skills to the test, this study guide is a creative and entertaining way for individuals to decide the best way to chase dreams and stay woke. For more information, click here.


 

 

(Posted Dec 2021)

 

A FERRY TALE became reality on Sat 10/23/21

Once upon a time, SOAR presented a musical called A FERRY TALE at The Orpheum in Memphis, and it was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who came out to support!

Snapshot of success:

  • 23 cast members engaged collaboratively, with ages ranging 12-65+
  • 422 audience members uplifted by seeing people of color on a major platform
  • 88 tickets granted to students attending school in 38127 & 38106 zip codes
  • 7 new donors welcomed into our community at intermission
  • $310 donated at intermission to cover the cost of workshops for ticket grantees 
  • $20,831 donated towards our campaign to Open The Door for arts access

  donate now to open the door for more students to engage!

 

production photos

the reasons why we love a ferry tale

black female author

Memphian Jenita Nakamura,
who also writes under the moniker Nak Jently.

writing style

A musical theatre
dark fantasy featuring 
singing, acting, dancing & rapping.

project developement

2018 workshop at UofM, 2020 podCAST recording, 2021 stage production premier.

cast size

A FERRY TALE features 16 singing roles, 4 dance roles, and 3 non-singing / rap only roles.

music styles

A FERRY TALE has a hip hop, soul, gospel, RnB flava mixed together with Memphis flare.

Cast demographics

A FERRY TALE  was designed to showcase the talent of African-American actors age 12 and up.

story development

During a span of 7 years,
A FERRY TALE has undergone
3 re-writes and a chop shop.

versions

As of 2021, A FERRY TALE has 3 versions- stage production, junior trilogy for youth & film script.

content

The story depicts predatory behavior that is being challenge by activists fighting for change.

 

MEET THE CAST

A FERRY TALE is a full length, new musical about finding true value. With book, music, and lyrics by Memphian, Jenita Nakamura, direction by Taylor St. John, vocal arrangements by Marcus King, and music arrangements by Kyle Donald and Bryard Huggins, A FERRY TALE is a dark fantasy based on real life occurrences. The cast of A FERRY TALE is filled with home grown talent that shines brighter than stars.

 

Watch the video to hear cast reflections about being part of the production.