MOSAIC SPRING 2022 NEWSLETTER
Together We... are Mosaic.
Youth ensemble Rehearsals are underway for MWINDO, Mosaic’s touring show that will travel around Detroit from April 20 to June 5. This African folktale teaches audiences the importance of embracing one’s destiny by exploring the trials and tribulations of fantastical creatures and heroic beings through puppetry. Mosaic has partnered with Carrie Morris Puppetry Arts to bring this musical adventure to life, teaching the young artists to operate the puppets and use them for engaging performances. The ensemble has even created their own personal process for rehearsing, memorizing the script, and blocking the stage to explore the story in a creative and unique way. By learning to give and receive constructive feedback, the young artists have embraced each other to create a productive environment that allows the entire group to perfect new acting techniques, make bold choices, and embrace joy.
2,606
Arts & Leadership Development Contact Hours (Dec 2021-Feb 2022)
35 Youth
99%
Youth of Color
backstage tech Treasure always wanted to participate in theater, but she knewthat performing on stage wasn’t an option. As a young artist,she feared that her anxiety would prevent her from contributingin any meaningful way. At Mosaic she found the perfect role, youth Stage Manager.
61
Hours of Workforce Development in STEM (Dec 2021-Feb 2022)
28
Young Artists
100% Youth of Color
For seven weeks, Treasure worked as Mosaic’s youth Stage Manager for the Blood at The Root production. She learned the nuts and bolts of theater, including blocking, working the light board, and sound cues. She loves that Mosaic allowed her to truly have an impacton the production from behind the curtain.
“Being a stage manager gives you direct access to seeing the beginning of something magical,” Treasure said. While working in this multifaceted role she developed her confidence and practical skills that are useful in any field. Whether she’s writing a professional cue list or collaborating with the creative team and Senior Stage Manager, Treasure loves that her job helps bring the show to life!
school residency Partnering with Mosaic, a group of young artists in the 6th grade spent the first few weeks of the semester creating an original music video that reflects their experiences in school. Inspired by Black History Month, the young artists aimed to bring historical figures and their stories to life through an original rap and choreographed dance routine. The premise was born from the classic feeling of wanting more freedom in school. Stuck in a boring classroom and overwhelmed by homework, the students within the music video decide to rebel by breaking into song and dance. The young artists have already developed scenes with Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks. Throughout the semester, the students will research historical and current figures to flesh out the remainder of the music video.
229
Contact Hours in Arts and SEL Development (Dec 2021-Feb 2022)
100% Title I Schools
11
Schools
149 Youth 99%
Youth of Color
capacity building Mosaic continues to increase its capacity and strengthen internal operations. Recent activities include: • Installed live stream capabilities for the Black Box Theatre and Choral Room • Completed fund raising strength assessment including over 25 conversations with key stakeholders • Completed 50% of planned updates to integrate fundraising database with other databases including MailChimp, Accounting Software and Donor Giving platform Blood at the Root Rehearsal in the Black Box Theatre
college success & career pathways With six years of Mosaic experience under his belt, Emerson Jeffries has learned to be a leader both onstage and in the classroom. Before even graduating high school, he was named one of the 20 Black Detroiters Making History by the Skillman Foundation after helping create Detroit’s Online Learning Bill of Rights at the start of the pandemic. Last year, Emerson began hosting business-focused workshops as a part of the entrepreneur incubator program that he created at Cass Tech. With graduation on the horizon, Emerson reached out to some mentors at Mosaic to help figure out his college plans. He worked closely with Cass, a Mosaic staff member, to write the essay portion of his applications. She showed Emerson a different perspective, which allowed him to reflect on his personal journey toward adulthood. He also received constant moral support from Aleesa, Mosaic’s College and Career Pathways Specialist, throughout the application process. Aleesa connected him with alumni from his list of preferred schools. After speaking with an alumnus from University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, Emerson realized that he wanted to pursue a degree in business, with U of M becoming his top choice.
Emerson Jeffries Mosaic Youth Ensemble
Mosaic taught Emerson crucial public speaking and leadership skills that he’s been applying directly toward his future. He says that his experiences have taught him how to work with young people, manage conflict, and, most importantly, lead with empathy.
MOSAIC partners & leadership DONORS (December, January, February $1,000+)
. . . . . . . . .
Find Your Light Foundation Paul Angell Family Foundation Masco A. Paul and Carol Schapp Fund Eugene Applebaum Family Foundation William H. and Patricia M. Smith Fund Edsel B. Ford II Fund Michael Sperling & Peggy Kirkeeng Fund Wisam Qasem Fakhoury
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Financial Sustainability Ensure organizational sustainability through operating revenue growth and the development and funding of appropriate resources, which will increase opportunity and support for youth and artists, and contribute to a thriving Detroit.
Expand Mosaic Family Expand awareness, recognition and participation from local, regional and national communities in alignment with our mission, vision and values.
Expand Organizational Capacity Create a more resilient and sustainable organization by investing in staffing, technology, facilities, and leadership infrastructure.
PERFORMANCE RECAP After a nearly two-year hiatus, Mosaic’s youth ensemble finally returned to the stage with two sold-out shows. The hard work and dedication of the acting ensemble culminated this past month with inspiring performances of Blood at the Root, a play written by Detroiter and Tonynominated Dominique Morisseau. The Mosaic Youth Theatre also performed Light Shines Through, a Black History Tribute Concert. This performance showcased two original songs written collectively by the young artists: “Our Song” and the title track “Light Shines Through”.
save the date
MWINDO April 20 - June 5
Rehearsals are underway for MWINDO, Mosaic’s touring show that will travel around Detroit from April 20 to June 5. This African folktale teaches audiences the importance of embracing one’s destiny by exploring the trials and tribulations of fantastical creatures and heroic beings through puppetry. Mosaic has partnered with Carrie Morris Puppetry Arts to bring this musical adventure to life, teaching the young artists to operate the puppets and use them for engaging performances. The ensemble has even created their own personal process for rehearsing, memorizing the script, and blocking the stage to explore the story in a creative and unique way. By learning to give and receive constructive feedback, the young artists have embraced each other to create a productive environment that allows the entire group to perfect new acting techniques, make bold choices, and embrace joy.
OSAI
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@mosaicdetroit
MOSAIC YOUTH THEATRE OF DETROIT 2251 Antietam Avenue, Detroit, MI 48207 info@mosaicdetroit.org 313. 872 . 6910 l Phone 313. 872 . 692 0 l Fax
www.mosaicdetroit.org