Unity Academy Iraq: Children's Theater
Highlights of the Academy included performances of 'We're Off to See the Wizard' from Wizard of Oz and 'Hand Jive' from Grease as well as participation in the grand finale 'Rhythm Nation'.
A few words from Miss Carole about her experiences in Erbil:
"What a fabulous experience but it is so good to be HOME! Thank you, one and all, for your warm thoughts and prayers for my safety - never once did I feel scared or threatened, tho' soldiers with machine guns and assault rifles everywhere as a fact of daily life took some adjusting!
The 10 days of rehearsals and the two performance nights were inspiring and energizing, despite the erratic electricity, a babble of languages, guns and soldiers, an old slow un-air-conditioned transport van, and incredibly chaotic dress rehearsals that would have sent us screaming from the building here in Houston. The first time I walked into my classroom of students ages 7-13, they all stood and said "Good Morning, Teacher!" with their beautiful accented English learned by rote. Well, needless to say, I was theirs….. They learned their lyrics also by rote, got Sparkle Buttons from me everyday, LOVED their boas, hats, sunglasses, and pompoms, as well as the art projects I brought. Glitter hot melt glue was a BIG HIT! And of course, they stole the show on Saturday night. One of the Iraqi ministers said to me: "We used to laugh, but the war made us forget how. You have helped us laugh again." I couldn't have asked for a more fulfilling thank you."