T H E M I S S I O NEnlightening the Dark-Theatre Arts Program is a faith-based student outreach program that was founded on the principle that the performing arts open the opportunity to confront deep topics in such a way that wisdom is gained. Youth do not need a "watered down" education, rather, they need guidance as they explore all that theatre has to offer. We are dedicated to helping your students grow in confidence, experience, and natural talents as we hold them to high standards and assist them in achieving their goals. We have a lot of fun as we delve into both comedic and dramatic artistic endeavors.
A B O U T E T D
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M E E T B R Y A N N A
Bryanna Ruesche is one of the original co-founders of Enlightening The Dark Student Outreach Program. She has been teaching theatre in the Jackson area since the fall of 2017. Bry holds bachelor's degrees in both theatre and psychology and earned her Masters in Social Work at Union University. She is excited to use theatre therapeutically with her students and audiences. Bry has a deep passion for both people and the stage and adores sharing her love for stories with her students. She cares deeply about empowering people to find healing and joy through the arts and community. Bry has experienced, first hand, how the theatre can offer a safe environment to process emotions and grow in personal character. In the semester following the summer of 2016, Bry performed a lead mainstage role a few months after suddenly losing her little sister, Heather. “I needed a community where I could be real and I needed an outlet where I could grieve in a constructive way. I needed something to look forward to. Rehearsals were a special kind of therapy for me. Performing was both cathartic and meaningful. My pain wasn’t gone, but it was a catalyst for something beautiful. I can never fully express how much the stage means to me.” Bry was a main stage performer each semester of her time in undergrad at Union and she served as the president of the theatre honor society (Alpha Psi Omega). She hopes to serve the Jackson community and help students find joy and support in the performing arts and in the educational process, as a whole. She loves how each year she has the opportunity to share her knowledge and love for theatre with your students in an impactful way through this program!
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W H A T D O E S E N L I G H T E N I N G T H E D A R K M E A N ?
The title “Enlightening the Dark” comes from the idea that darkness exists in various forms. Sometimes it’s heartache and pain, other times it’s abuse and hate, it can even be ignorance and judgement. Regardless of the circumstances, we believe that light always casts out darkness and EN-lightening the individuals involved, brings empowerment and hope. It is our goal to confront the darkness that teenagers face by enlightening them through truth and the strength to tell their stories. We raise awareness about important issues and strive to gain wisdom as we embrace our gifts and shortcomings. The main aspect of "darkness" that we hope to learn from is that of stories untold or misunderstood.
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P R O G R A M E L I G I B I L I T Y
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A N O T E F R O M B R Y A N N A
It has been such an exciting and rewarding journey to establish a homeschool theatre program in a community that embraces creativity and artistic endeavors. I wanted to create an atmosphere where students weren’t treated as robots. Youth can be serious and effective artists, if they are nurtured and challenged. When I was in middle school and highschool, I had a strong distaste for most theatre programs and plays geared toward teens. They were cheesey, dumbed down, and shallow. At a young age, I wanted my art and my work to be taken seriously and to be received with respect. I desired mentorship and education in acting where I was challenged and pushed to improve. This is what we strive to offer through Enlightening The Dark. I want to be part of empowering these artist to make a difference for themselves and their audiences.
I adore working with youth and watching their ideas come to fruition as they also learn more about themselves. There are times when telling a character’s story can lead to personal growth and healing in a safe and encouraging environment. I have found this to be true in my own life. I have also witnessed this happen for many of my students over the years. It’s so amazing to enjoy the process as much as the finished product!
I strongly believe that everyone (production crew, actors, and audience) should leave the theatre better than when we entered. Personally, I have seen God’s hand at work both on stage and off stage and I have learned so much about the ways that God loves us through being part of expressing truth through art. The stories don’t always have to be directly “spiritual” in order for us to see the depth behind the messages. The Lord is faithful and he always shows up! We do not push our faith on anyone through this program, but we do open the space for conversation.
I adore working with youth and watching their ideas come to fruition as they also learn more about themselves. There are times when telling a character’s story can lead to personal growth and healing in a safe and encouraging environment. I have found this to be true in my own life. I have also witnessed this happen for many of my students over the years. It’s so amazing to enjoy the process as much as the finished product!
I strongly believe that everyone (production crew, actors, and audience) should leave the theatre better than when we entered. Personally, I have seen God’s hand at work both on stage and off stage and I have learned so much about the ways that God loves us through being part of expressing truth through art. The stories don’t always have to be directly “spiritual” in order for us to see the depth behind the messages. The Lord is faithful and he always shows up! We do not push our faith on anyone through this program, but we do open the space for conversation.
O U R L O C A T I O NHOMELIFE ACADEMY
3563 NORTH HIGHLAND AVE JACKSON, TN 38305 ETD DOES NOT HAVE OWNERSHIP OVER THIS FACILITY |
