UpStage Players and Kiwanis of Cleveland collaborate to form historic Builders Club
UpStage Players, the Collinwood-based children’s theater company, recently entered into a partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Cleveland to form a Builders Club within the company. Builders Club is an international organization for middle school students that focuses on developing leadership through service. The creation of this student-led service club as a value-added part of a theater/drama company, rather than a club in a middle school, makes it the first of its kind in not only the state of Ohio, but also the United States.
“UpStage is so excited to be working with this international group that so clearly is aligned with all of the standards UpStage is known for, such as: leadership, team building, community, responsibility, tolerance, inclusion, commitment, standing up for what is right, sharing your talents, imagination and more,” said Carrie Walsh-Hilf, artistic director. “The club will build activities centered on the arts to give back and build up community while developing student leaders.”
Jerry Seppelt, Kiwanis member and advisor to the group, explained, “This is a unique opportunity because it is based on drama. These kids can take their drama and acting skills and bring them to the community. Builder’s Clubs are always student-led. They come up with the ideas, the leadership and the programming. I told them that it is their imagination and excitement that can make it happen.”
According to Kiwanis, which started Builders Club in 1975 as a part of its family of service programs for young people, the core values of the club are: character building, leadership, inclusiveness and caring. The club’s objectives are: to provide opportunities for working together in service to school and community; to develop leadership potential; to foster development of a strong and moral character; and to encourage loyalty to school, community and nation. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.
Walsh-Hilf said that UpStage plans to have a representative from every grade level in the club, which will comprise a board and then additional members. They will follow the Kiwanis by-laws, but will establish how they will implement the objectives into the group. The board and officers will create the club’s calendar, events, meeting places and other necessary aspects of managing the club.
Upstage Players is a non-profit professional children's theater group run by an all-volunteer staff in Cleveland. The organization was founded in 1995 with 30 children and a vision to create love and respect for the arts. They have evolved into a strong group that uses theater as a vehicle to teach leadership, creativity and responsibility to over three times as many children today. Although the UpStage family has grown tremendously over the years, their no-cut policy remains unchanged.
The children of UpStage Players come from varied backgrounds and neighborhoods, yet share the same drive to optimize their potential. In addition, the diverse cast and crew of UpStage Players is lead by an unpaid staff and supported by an army of volunteers dedicated to transforming everyday kids into accomplished artists.
For additional information about UpStage Players, visit www.upstageplayers.com. To learn more about the Kiwanis Builders Club, visit www.buildersclub.org.
Matthew Orgovan
Born and raised in Euclid, and involved in the Arts Collinwood and Euclid communities, I still have an affinity for the area, despite currently living in Mentor. I was the marketing/public relations director for Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School for nine years and my fiancee, Joanna Longo, and I, have just signed a lease to open a studio/future retail space in Shore Cultural Centre. I am also a freelance writer for the Catholic Universe Bulletin and a board member with UpStage Players Children's Theater Group.