NEW & NOW
OKCPS students pilot new film production program
During the 2022-2023 school year, two high schools within Oklahoma City Public Schools have been participating in a new film production course providing students the opportunity to learn and experience the critical role film production plays in the making of movies, TV shows, documentaries and other content. Named Scissortail Studios, the course was developed in partnership with Film Education Institute of Oklahoma (FEIO), a local nonprofit with a mission to help train and develop local film production personnel to meet the demand for jobs brought to Oklahoma. After piloting the program this school year at Northwest Classen High School and Frederick Douglass High School, the district hopes to provide the program at all of their high schools beginning in August 2023.
Classroom curriculum is taught by OKCPS and FEIO instructors, and both a permanent and mobile film lab with state- of-the-art equipment for producing film are available to students. The mobile lab visits various school sites, school events and community activities. “With each year of this new program, students will gain valuable knowledge and experience, positioning them for job and career opportunities in one of Oklahoma’s fastest growing business sectors,” said OKCPS Superintendent Dr. Sean McDaniel. “We are excited to help unlock new opportunities for our kids while helping Oklahoma strengthen its position in this fast-emerging industry.”
OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS STUDENTS LEARN FILM PRODUCTION THROUGH SCISSORTAIL STUDIOS.
McKnight Center provides free arts education experiences for students
Since the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts opened in Stillwater in 2019, one of the nonprofit organization’s goals has been to increase arts exposure for students in the area. Every student in Stillwater Public Schools will have the opportunity to enjoy a production, for free, every year, says Darin Williams, director of education and community engagement. In 2022, students were bussed to the center to experience performances of the Broadway
touring show STOMP and dance company Pilobus. Third, fourth and fifth grade students participate in LinkUp, a partnership between the center, Carnegie Hall and the Enid Symphony. Curriculum covering a variety of music genres, involving dance and movement and even teaching students how to play instruments is provided to music teachers, and the program culminates with students performing with the symphony at the center. While every student who visits the McKnight
Center may not pursue the arts as a career or hobby, Williams hopes they all walk away with a new appreciation for how art can make a positive impact on their lives and the community. “If kids in these experiences strive to become an artist, that’s great,” said Williams. “Or if there are future CEOs in the seats who will have a heart to support nonprofits like us, that’s great. But if the vast majority can simply find joy or see art as a way to self- soothe, that’s even better.” Williams hopes to eventually expand the program’s reach to homeschool students and public schools throughout Payne County and beyond. Learn more about programs and the center’s family series at mcknightcenter.org.
STILLWATER STUDENTS ENJOY THE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC’S YOUNG PEOPLES CONCERT AT THE MCKNIGHT CENTER. PHOTO BY BARRY FUXA, COURTESY STILLWATER PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
STOMP PERFORMS FOR STILLWATER STUDENTS AT THE MCKNIGHT CENTER. PHOTO BY BARRY FUXA, COURTESY STILLWATER PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
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