The Arts
Poetic Justice Program
April 2016--The Arts facet is collaborating with NJPAC to bring Poetic Justice, an in-residency program, to EAGLE Initiative in Englewood, NJ. The weekly sessions are being taught by an NJPAC professional teaching artist. Poetic Justice is designed to develop the writing skills as well as strengthen the acting, playwright and presentation skills of the 11th and 12th grade students selected for this program. The program encourages the students to give voice to their innermost thoughts through poetry.
The returning students are encouraged to give-back to the program through mentorship of incoming 11th grade Poetic Justice participants. The objective is to build leadership skills, self esteem, character and to create a sense of community.
One student from EAGLE Initiative will be selected to participate in a statewide poetry jam sponsored by NJPAC.
Selected works will be submitted to Eastern Area for the Young Master Writers Program competition. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. The title of Young Grand Master Writer will be conveyed upon the 1st place winner. The winner will be announced in July 2016.
The goal of the Arts Committee is to develop programs in the local community designed to promote and preserve our cultural heritage. To that end, the Arts Committee once again, participated in the Teaneck International Film Festivalin 2014. It was a sold out crowd on Friday, November 7th as the community came out to enjoy the start of the Teaneck International Film Festival. The showing of the film "Belle" was sponsored by the Bergen County (NJ) Chapter and The Links, Inc. and the Bergen County NJ Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. The screening was followed by a "talkback" featuring media professional Julie Walker and well-known stage director and Teaneck resident Seret Scott. Dr. David Jean, playwright and Monclair State professor, served as moderator. Belle, (pictured upper right) is based on the true story of a mixed race girl who was influential in ending slavery in England. On Sunday, November 9th (12:30) at the Puffin in Teaneck, the chapter co-sponsored "Every Bag Counts", a short film (4 min.) by Teaneck Girl Scout Jr. Troop 19. The film is designed to convince Teaneck township residents and council to ban the use of plastic bags. The young filmmakers were on hand to answer questions about their filmmaking activities. (pictured right) Members of the Boys and Girls Club and local Teaneck school officials joined Links Chapter members at the screening held at the Puffin Cultural Forum.
