On Oct. 3 and 4, Samford University School of the Arts’ Theatre for Youth program hosted Birmingham area elementary schools and Unless U, a nonprofit serving adults with disabilities, for exclusive matinee performances of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Revised). This annual tradition allows local school children to experience "young audience" showings of the program's fall production and interact with the cast members.
Laura Byland, director of the Theatre for Youth program, emphasizes the importance of community engagement in the course work. Students develop sensory stories with preschoolers, lead creative drama activities in local elementary classrooms, conduct scene work with middle school students and offer masterclasses for high school students.
"Through classroom experiences, live performances, community engagement and ministry opportunities, our students are prepared to engage and impact a diverse world while demonstrating the service-oriented heart of Christ," said Byland.
After the show, the audience had the opportunity to meet Snoopy and the gang on the front porch of Harrison Theatre. Cast members interacted with them, giving out high-fives and engaging in conversation. This special interaction provided a meaningful experience for both the cast and the young audience. Several teachers later reflected on their experience bringing their students to campus for this special occasion.
“The students were fully engaged throughout the entire production,” said Rebekah Ferguson, second grade teacher at Paine Elementary School in Trussville. “One student said to me afterwards that it was the best play she's ever seen. We had several students playing Snoopy at recess and singing the songs from the play. It is a wonderful experience that students and teachers treasure.”
“The show was so wonderful,” said Melinda Alexander, sixth grade teacher at Odenville Middle School. “As I looked around, not only were my students all engaged and excited, but my fellow teachers were also really enjoying the performance. We are never disappointed at a Samford University theater performance. It is an event we look forward to each year.”
“Our students love the opportunity to visit a college campus and experience great art,” said Ethan Smith, Unless U program director. “The students' time volunteering with us makes it even more special to see friends perform on stage. Even the ushers and stage crew go above and beyond to help us and make our experience wonderful every time. We love coming to these productions every year!"
“Anytime an educator can take their students outside the confines of the classroom is a win,” said Amy Marchino, theatre performance teacher at Homewood High School. “Students get the opportunity to hear and see what they wouldn't have in the school environment. Also, high school students getting to see college students taking their learning to the next level just enhances any curriculum. I am so grateful to have had the chance to do this field trip and see this show with my students. We'll be back for more!”
“Interacting with the kids and adults that came to our shows easily became the most rewarding gift of this process,” reflected Maddie Athearn, senior musical theatre student who played Snoopy in the musical. “I never imagined how special it would be to high five, wave and make intentional eye contact with kids and families. [I loved] meeting them after the shows, taking a picture, asking about their favorite part of the show and teaching them how to bark and howl like Snoopy.” 
Athearn explains how the Theatre for Youth program has prepared her for a professional career path and ways it has shaped her as a young actress.
“I have grown in my confidence as a performer in making choices and as a comedian,” said Athearn. “That's all thanks to my director, Mrs. B [Laura Byland], who when I asked her, ‘What do you want me to do here?’ responded, ‘What would Snoopy do?’ This allowed me to create a character and world completely my own in tandem with the other world-builders in my Peanuts family.”
Through this ongoing tradition of community engagement, we hope our students will continue to be inspired, gain valuable experience and cultivate a spirit of service.
