Rhode Island Schools Lose Arts Ed Programs - The Dave Project Aims to Fill the Void

Like many states, Rhode Island is struggling to cut state budgets yet still provide for the needs of its citizens. Unfortunately, most of the arts programs in the schools are being eliminated. The good news is that there are many individual artists and performers within the state that feel compelled to provide arts education where the schools cannot.

Statistical information proves that students who participate in arts, music and theater programs do better in other subjects in school. It also provides an outlet for stress, keeps young people off the street and uses creative energies in a positive way. The DAVE Project is a new 501(c) 3 non-profit organization leading the way. It will provide theater and other creative programs to students at little or no cost. The founders are engaging active professional performers to teach the classes mainly in an after-school format.

The Founders and Directors behind the DAVE Project are Alex and Alyssa Gorgone. Both Theater Arts professionals, they realize just how devastating the effect of cutting school arts programs is. The anacronym of their organization stands for Dedicated Artists for the Vitality of Arts Education. Rather than just sit around and criticize the government, the Gorgones decided to take action instead.

The DAVE Project also came about as a way to honor Alex's father, David, a longtime Smithfield resident and speech pathologist in the Pawtucket school system. Alex's father passed away last year, and Gorgone says his dad, a very active member of the arts community as an actor, singer and director, inspired the project. Alex and his wife Alyssa want to show that Dave Gorgone is still very much an active part of the arts community.

The eventual hope of the project is to open an equity theater, which will house professional performers who will teach acting, singing and dancing to the children. These professionals will also perform with the children helping them to bring original performances to the stage. Meanwhile, the program will function largely as an after-school program as funding allows.

For now their goal is fundraising and raising awareness. The DAVE Project is hosting two upcoming events: a theater workshop for the children, and a cabaret/comedy night for adults. Both events will be held on Saturday, July 10, at Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main Street, in Pawtucket, RI.

The theater workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 10 for children in middle school and high school. The children will learn an original play by Rhode Island playwright Kevin Broccoli and put on a performance. Parents and friends are invited to watch the performance at the conclusion of the workshop.

Later that day at 8 p.m. the adults are invited for a night of music and comedy at the Hope Artiste Village. Amy Carlson Pontes and Melissa Bowler of the comedy act LadyProv will be emceeing the event. Besides the cabaret acts there will be a full band, an area for local artists to display and sell their art, hors d'oeuvres and two full bars.
For reservations for either of the events, costs or to inquire about showcasing your art pieces please email Alex and Alyssa at daveartsproject@gamil.com.

For more information about The DAVE Project please visit their blog at http://DAVEproject.tumblr.com or their website at www.theDAVEproject.com. Or check out their Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-DAVE-Project/104254799618858?ref=ts