Independence Academy theatre students attend Broadway touring production of Mark Twain Tonight!
The Asteria Theatre at Colorado Mesa University, under the umbrella of CMU Stages, extended the magic of Broadway to local theatre students through its Reaching for the Stars initiative. In February, the program hosted 12 students from Independence Academy and their parents to experience the Broadway tour of Mark Twain Tonight!, starring acclaimed actor Richard Thomas. The donated tickets are part of CMU’s ongoing mission to expose more students across the Grand Valley to the performing arts and to make professional theatre accessible to young audiences.
The performance is part of the Asteria Theatre’s sold-out inaugural Broadway Season, which launched in December with Mrs. Doubtfire and in January with TINA – The Tina Turner Musical. The season continues this spring with THE BOOK OF MORMON, Chicago, and Hadestown. Hosting Mark Twain Tonight! further cements the Asteria Theatre’s role as a major cultural destination in Western Colorado, while also serving as an educational bridge between the university and the community.
Independence Academy, a charter school in Grand Junction, is deeply invested in arts education and is currently in the process of building a new theatre facility on its campus. Opportunities like this provide students with firsthand exposure to professional productions as they develop their own skills and envision future possibilities in the performing arts.
“This real world connection allows our students an opportunity to connect classroom learning to live performance, deepen their understanding of storytelling, stagecraft, and collaboration, and envision themselves as participants in the professional arts community," saidExecutive Director of Independence Academy Charter School Lisa Gonsalves. "By witnessing the level of discipline, creativity, and teamwork required in a Broadway caliber production, students are inspired to raise their own standards, explore new career possibilities, and recognize that high-quality artistic experiences can be accessible right here in Grand Junction. “
Learn more about the Reaching for the Stars Cultural Enrichment Program.