JMArts receives grant for high school artists creating puppets for ‘Into the Woods’

SILER CITY, N.C. — Jordan-Matthews High School artists are creating puppets for the fall musical, “Into the Woods,” thanks in part to a grant announced today.

The $1,600 Grassroots Arts Grant was awarded to JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, through the Chatham Arts Council.

Grant money is being used to bring artist Donovan Zimmerman to campus during a six-week fall residency to teach papier-mache technique and help student artists create puppets for “Into the Woods,” the school’s fall musical with three performances from November 14 to 16.

Zimmerman is co-founder and director of Paperhand Puppet Intervention, a renowned artistic organization based in Saxapahaw. As described on their website, Paperhand "uses diverse styles of puppetry and artistic expression to create works that inspire, promote social change and are deeply rewarding for all involved."

Art teacher Rahma Mateen-Mason believes those goals have been shared by her students creating larger-than-life puppets for a musical where fairytale characters get what they wish for, but the consequences aren’t exactly what they expected.

“Working with Donovan was an amazing experience,” she said. “These papier-mache techniques that we learned will be implemented in my future classes. I know now that anything can be made using the techniques that Donovan taught us. And we are extremely grateful to both the Chatham Arts Council and all the folks who have supported JMArts.”

The Grassroots grant was matched by JMArts, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with more than 80 members and five organizational partners working to provide what JM artists need to excel.

More information about JMArts, including how to become a member, is available online at JMArts.org. Tickets to “Into the Woods" are now on sale at JMArtsTickets.com.

# # # #

Artist Donovan Zimmerman watches as Jordan-Matthews High School artists use papier-mache technique to create a head for Milky White, the cow character in “Into the Woods” being animated by puppeteers.

Artist Donovan Zimmerman from Paperhand Puppet Intervention works with Jordan-Matthews High School artists to teach papier-mache technique and create puppets for “Into the Woods,” the fall musical being performed November 14 to 16.

Donovan Zimmerman’s residency working with Jordan-Matthews artists to create puppets was partially funded by a matching grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, through the Chatham Arts Council.

“Into the Woods” musical hits the Jordan-Matthews stage November 14-16

SILER CITY, N.C. — The classic Broadway musical “Into the Woods” — an epic fairytale about wishes, family and the choices we make — takes the stage at Jordan-Matthews High School in November with a large student cast for three performances only.

Performances at the JM Auditorium are Thursday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $5 each and now available online at JMArtsTickets.com.

Remaining tickets will be sold at the door and child care will be provided for the Friday and Saturday performances by student clubs with a suggested donation of $5 per child. No passes — including Chatham County Schools and senior citizens’ passes — can be accepted. Everyone entering the theater, regardless of age, must have a ticket.

“Into the Woods,” by musical theater legends Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, is a cautionary tale warning everyone to be careful what they wish for. The Baker and his wife wish to have a child. Cinderella wishes to attend the King’s Festival. And Jack wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn they cannot have a child because of a Witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences return to haunt them later.

One of Sondheim’s most popular works, the dark comedy received 1988 Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score after its initial Broadway run. Since then, it has been been revived on Broadway, performed around the world and made into a Hollywood blockbuster film starring Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and James Corden.

Jordan-Matthews’ production features a huge, 36-member cast — including puppeteers bringing the forest to life with animated trees and larger-than-life characters.

The puppets were designed and created by about 50 JM art students under the guidance of artist Donovan Zimmerman from Paperhand Puppet Intervention. Through an arrangement with JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, Zimmerman spent six days this fall at the school, guiding the project and teaching papier-mache technique. The six-day residency was partially funded by a matching grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, through the Chatham Arts Council.

While the dark comedy involves beloved fairytale characters, producer Rose Pate says “Into the Woods” may not be appropriate for younger children. A minimum age of 5-years-old to attend is strongly suggested. Still, she said, it’s a show that will dazzle and connect with audiences.

“This show has everything — humor, glorious music and a real sense of what it means to be human,” Pate said. "Everyone will see familiar emotional situations, from the excitement of a dangerous relationship to the difficulty of letting our children grow up and leave home. This show takes familiar characters everyone knows from fairy tales and fleshes them out into real people with problems we all recognize.”

The musical also represents a significant achievement for the high school actors on stage, said music director Matt Fry, because “Into the Woods” is particularly challenging. "This music is extremely complicated and the kids are doing a super job of getting it right and making it exciting,” he said.

Director Jessica Nunn agreed, pointing out that the challenge is what helps students expand their skills and vision about what they’re capable of accomplishing. “I love that we raise the challenge for the students every year,” she said. “And every year they meet it."

For Friday and Saturday performances, child care with snacks will be provided by JM’s HOSA and LEO clubs, with adult supervision, at a requested donation of $5 per child. Care will be provided in the JM Media Center, located near the auditorium, so parents will have time to check in with their children during a 15-minute intermission between the two acts.

Other members of the creative team are costume designers Cynthia Bredenberg and Heath Smith, and scenery designer Rahma Mateen-Mason — all veterans of previous JM stage productions.

“Into the Woods” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

More information about the production and other arts events scheduled for this season is available online at jmarts.org.

# # # #

Jack (Buck Thornton) pleads with his mother (Laci Burt) not to sell his beloved cow, Milky White, which is a character animated by puppeteers Calvin Conroy and Manuel Mata and designed and created by JM artists.

Cinderella (Kayli McIntosh at right) helps her stepsisters Florinda (Shelia Hernandez, seated) and Lucinda (Alana May) get ready for the King’s Festival.

Cinderella (Kayli McIntosh, center) asks the birds to help her go to the King’s Festival. Zy’kiuh Marsh, left, and Paige Colborne are puppeteers animating birds that were designed and created by JM artists.

“Path to the Woods” juried art show set for November 4 at JM

SILER CITY, N.C. — Jordan-Matthews High School artists will exhibit about 80 works during a juried art show on November 4 in Siler City.

“Path to the Woods” will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. in the JM Media Center. The one-hour exhibition of work by all levels of students, from Art I through Art IV Honors, is free and includes a reception with light refreshments.

The show is inspired by “Into the Woods,” the classic Broadway musical being produced at Jordan-Matthews with three performances from November 14 to 16. Art teacher Rahma Mateen-Mason said some artists have chosen a literal interpretation of the theme, while others are focusing on some element of the musical — incorporating fairytale characters or landscapes.

"The assignment was choice based,” she said. “Students are using lots of different media and styles. Some purposes of this project are for students to practice personal expression, explore different techniques and develop their artistic style.”

Cash awards will be presented by JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, with $100 for first-place and $50 for second-place in the show. Local artists Bronwyn Watson and Barbara Hengstenberg are serving as judges.

JMArts President Rose Pate said the art show also will exhibit larger-than-life puppets created by JM artists that will appear on stage during the musical. Artist Donovan Zimmerman from Paperhand Puppet Intervention in Saxapahaw worked with students during a residency this fall to help the high school artists refine papier-mâché techniques and produce the puppets.

“I’m always excited to see what our students have accomplished,” Pate said about the fall art show. “I’m also glad people can have a chance to see some of the puppets they have created for 'Into the Woods.' These pieces are going to have a lot of impact on the stage!"

The “Path to the Woods” art show is being presented with assistance from JMArts, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with about 80 members and five organizational partners working to provide what JM artists need to excel.

More information about the foundation, including major projects and how to become a member, is available online at JMArts.org. Tickets for “Into the Woods" are now on sale at JMArtsTickets.com.

# # # #

Student artists work with artist Donovan Zimmerman from Paperhand Puppet Intervention on puppets for the fall musical. Some of the puppets will be on display during the “Path to the Woods” art show on November 4 at Jordan-Matthews High School. (Photo by Rose Pate)