Dayton artist Jean Howat Berry, an Ohio Arts Council Arts Learning Program Residency artist, was a theatre artist in residence with the Cincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC) for four weeks in July and August 2006. Howat Berry, 13 eight- to twelve-year-olds from the East and West Price Hill neighborhoods, and two teen peer leaders met four mornings a week at St. William Church in  West Price Hill to make masks, learn individual and ensemble acting skills, and develop a short dramatic presentation that reflected issues in their communities. In addition, the artist conducted mask-making and theatre workshops with children, seniors, and CRC staff from across Cincinnati at five CRC community centers. The award-winning program ended with a theatre presentation and an exhibition of masks at St. William Church.

CRC project coordinator Diane Glos said the program provided "a great opportunity for children to express themselves in a positive way." Jean Howat Berry sees similar value in the residency experience. "When we make dramatic art,” said Howat Berry, “we are open and creative. We grow in self-awareness and confidence. Each of us will catch a glimpse of our own potential and feed that right back into our work. That's transformation!"

The residency project received the  National Recreation and Park Association's 2007 Dorothy Mullen Arts and Humanities Award for agencies serving populations between 200,000 and 499,999 and the first place award in the  Ohio Parks and Recreation Association's 2006 Awards of Excellence Youth Programs and Events category.

Key community partners in the project were St. William Church, Price Hill Will, and Sunset Players. Project support was provided by:

Greater Cincinnati Foundation (Summertime Kids program)

Invest in Neighborhoods (Merit Grant Program)

[ Printed Program for Theatre Presentation ]

Artist In Residency 2006 PowerPoint Presentation  [View]  [Download]

View Photo Album July 10 - Aug. 4, 2006