KIDS + FAMILIES

Hope Stone Inc.’s Kid’s Play Ensemble and boys band YouthSound will premiere KID’S PLAY: The Musical on May 7th, 2009, at the Jewish Community Center’s Kaplan Theater (5601 S Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX), at 7pm.

Under the direction of master teachers and the creative force of renowned modern dance choreographer Jane Weiner, the 55 plus group of young artists band together to communicate to the world their version and vision of the “American Musical.” Utilizing such musicals as Singing in the Rain, Sound of Music and Annie, the children and teens present a tongue in check parody fun for all ages!

Kid’s Play and YouthSound are the brainchild of Hope Stone’s founder Jane Weiner. Her vision to help at-risk youth through the power and freedom of art has garnered seven years of transforming kids into inspiring and confident performers. The programs are designed to create pride, hope and personal ownership by opening doors to troubled kids in the field of dance, music, theater and performance art.

Held throughout the school year at Hope Center (1210 W. Clay St., Ste. 26), the project is under the direction of master teachers Chris Howard & Jason Jackson (music), Gayla Miller (theater), and Reyie Delgado, Roberta Cortes and Jane Weiner (dance). The Kid’s Play Ensemble meets twice a week and culminates in an end-of-year performance in May. YouthSound meets every Saturday, where the boys are taught music skills, song writing and vocals, as well as specifics in drum, piano and guitar. Each year they perform several public shows, and accompany the May Kid’s Play performance with new music selections.

Hope Stone Inc. is grateful to all of the sponsors and foundations that have supported our efforts this year. These generous organizations include: The Fant Foundation, The Brown Foundation, The Margaret and James A. Elkins, Jr. Foundation, Valero, Sequoia Foundation, Alice Kleberg Reynolds Meyer Foundation, 
Dr. Michael Bartha, 
The Brown Foundation, The Favrot Fund, Mary and Tony Gracely, 
Hewlett Packard, 
Houston Arts Alliance, Kinder Morgan Foundation, 
Darcy and Robert Madden, Sloan/Hall, 
The Texas Commission for the Arts, The Vale-Asche Foundation.

Pictured:  detail of a photo by Simon Gentry.