IRA GLASS AND DANNY DAVIS CO-CHAIR MTW'S 25TH SEASON
Ira Glass, MTW fan and host of "This American Life" on National Public Radio, and the Honorable Danny K. Davis, Illinois 7th District Congressman, are the honorary co-chairmen of the Music Theatre Workshop 25th Anniversary Season. The company's mission complements the work of both men: Davis's longstanding commitment to creating opportunities for underserved youth, and Glass's history of making art from real stories about real people.
"I've seen firsthand how Music Theater Workshop touches the lives of the kids it serves," said Glass. "Some of them are forever changed. And - as I've reported on my radio show - the most powerful moment of theater I've ever seen was at an MTW show in the Audi Home juvenile detention center. The staff and volunteers at MTW do a really nice job with the kids they serve. That's why I've made the transition from being a journalist who covers their events on the air to a donor who supports them with my dollars."
"Over the past quarter-century, MTW has been dedicated
to motivating at-risk and incarcerated youth and enhancing their leadership, decision-making, and critical thinking skills through exposure to the arts," says Congressman Davis. Davis, who has represented Illinois' 7th District since 1996, observes that MTW's work reflects his belief that adolescents can change the way they respond to their environment by learning the rituals of honor, respect, and character. Last year, Davis expressed this belief by sponsoring the "Second Chance" legislation in Congress. Signed by President Bush in April 2008, "Second Chance" provides education and job opportunities for individuals who have been incarcerated.
"We know the arts help kids learn about themselves and express their feelings in productive ways," adds Davis. "But many of Chicago's young people have little access to activities that foster creative expression. Music Theatre Workshop opens doors and gives youth the tools they need to walk through them. MTW kids come out the other side more literate, more motivated, and more likely to succeed."
"I've seen firsthand how Music Theater Workshop touches the lives of the kids it serves," said Glass. "Some of them are forever changed. And - as I've reported on my radio show - the most powerful moment of theater I've ever seen was at an MTW show in the Audi Home juvenile detention center. The staff and volunteers at MTW do a really nice job with the kids they serve. That's why I've made the transition from being a journalist who covers their events on the air to a donor who supports them with my dollars.""Over the past quarter-century, MTW has been dedicated
to motivating at-risk and incarcerated youth and enhancing their leadership, decision-making, and critical thinking skills through exposure to the arts," says Congressman Davis. Davis, who has represented Illinois' 7th District since 1996, observes that MTW's work reflects his belief that adolescents can change the way they respond to their environment by learning the rituals of honor, respect, and character. Last year, Davis expressed this belief by sponsoring the "Second Chance" legislation in Congress. Signed by President Bush in April 2008, "Second Chance" provides education and job opportunities for individuals who have been incarcerated. "We know the arts help kids learn about themselves and express their feelings in productive ways," adds Davis. "But many of Chicago's young people have little access to activities that foster creative expression. Music Theatre Workshop opens doors and gives youth the tools they need to walk through them. MTW kids come out the other side more literate, more motivated, and more likely to succeed."