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SPECIAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION INTRODUCES “FOLLOW THE LEADER”
5/3/2007
Play on Diversity Written Specifically for Youth Leadership Group
A cast of professional actors performs in “Follow the Leader” for more than 75 Special School District administrators on Wednesday, May 16. The twenty-minute performance begins at 10:30 a.m at the SSD Central Office, 12110 Clayton Road in Town and Country. “Follow the Leader,” written for the Special Education Foundation’s Fred Saigh Youth Leadership Program, centers on diversity issues that surround a high school class election. The play debuted in January to the 18 students in the leadership class as a part of their diversity studies day. The play is performed for the second time on May 16.
The play, “Follow the Leader,” was written by Cristina Pippa, a young playwright whose work is becoming well-known in the world of theater. Margeau Steinau produces and directs the play. Steinau is an accomplished actor and artistic director of Off-Center Theatre Company. Her original play “Famous Monsters” was a 2006 Kevin Kline Award nominee. She works with residents of Missouri Hills Detention Center, using theatre arts as a therapeutic technique.
“’Follow the Leader’ provides an excellent way for high school students to understand the beauty of diversity,” states Diane Buhr, Executive Director of the Special Education Foundation. “The performance demonstrates that we share more similarities than differences. It provides a means of dialogue for students to discuss diversity issues. We hope that, after seeing the play, the SSD administrators will encourage their partner schools to have the performance played in their high schools.”
The Fred Saigh Youth Leadership Program, made possible by a grant from the Fred Saigh Foundation, provides a year-long leadership training curriculum that introduces and develops leadership skills by involving students in issues that face the community. Students in the Fred Saigh Leadership Program visit key sites/locations one day every other month and meet leaders throughout the metropolitan area. Students also study issues such as diversity, learn problem solving and practice the art of debate. The year culminates with a graduation in May.
The Special Education Foundation received a grant from the Fred Saigh Foundation to initiate and implement a leadership program for students with disabilities. The program’s purpose is to develop skills that prepare students for leadership roles, broaden their understanding of community issues, problems and advantages, gain insight regarding resources needed to assist their school/community, and assist in recruiting and mentoring for the following year.
The Special Education Foundation was established in 1984 to provide assistance in areas not supported by tax dollars. It is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to help students with disabilities achieve success in their endeavors beyond the classroom. The Foundation does this through providing financial resources in areas that go beyond tax-dollar support such as scholarships, camperships, teacher mini-grants, specialized equipment, student recognition, leadership programs and parent speaker series. The Foundation is depends solely on private contributions and donations. No funds are received from the United Way or the Special School District.
Who: Special Education Foundation
What: “Follow the Leader” — a play about diversity
When: May 16, 2007 10:30 a.m.
Where: Special School District Central Office, 12110 Clayton Road,
Town and Country, Mo.
Why: To introduce SSD Administrators to “Follow the Leader”
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