“The Orpheum Theatre Group is known all over the Mid-South region as a beacon for quality arts and culture presentations that range from Broadway to dance, music, comedy, poetry, and more,” says Jennifer McGrath, vice president of education and community engagement, Orpheum Theatre Group.
The Orpheum’s intergenerational programs cater to a wide age range, with participants ranging from pre-K students to seniors as old as 94. “We believe that the arts have the power to change the world and transform our hearts and minds, and we use our education and engagement programs to inspire creativity, help boost confidence, create empathy and compassion through collaboration, and build community,” McGrath says.
Through its programs, the Orpheum celebrates individuals’ uniqueness while highlighting the commonalities that unite us all. In addition to the benefits of personal growth and community building, the Orpheum’s programs are also a lot of fun for all involved.
The Orpheum’s impact extends beyond its diverse range of programming to include a solid commitment to arts education and community engagement initiatives. With programs such as Mending Hearts and High School Musical Theatre Awards, the Orpheum is a leader in building authentic relationships with students, educators, families, and community members.
For 14 years running, the Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards has been a unifying force, gathering over 2,100 students from nearly 50 schools across the Mid-South region. As the only regional program to cover Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas, this event is part of the renowned Jimmy Awards, a national platform for High School Musical Theatre Awards. The year-long program includes adjudicator visits to schools staging musicals with constructive feedback offered to each production.
“The celebration at the Orpheum each year is modeled after the Tony Awards and allows young people and educators to be recognized for their growth and talents while celebrating their hard work, promoting arts programs in schools, and instilling a lifelong passion for the arts,” says McGrath. “New in the past two years, students from participating schools that do not produce musicals are still able to join in our culminating celebration on the Orpheum stage, creating a more equitable and accessible program.” During the rigorous production week leading up to the show, students are immersed in a professional environment and collaborate with peers from all over the region, strengthening their skills and building a sense of community.
The Orpheum provides a wide range of artistic opportunities for children and young adults, including a dedicated service group called the STAR Council, and offers specialized programs such as Camp SAY: Across the USA - Memphis, designed specifically for young individuals who stutter, and Mending Hearts Camp, a summer day camp that uses performing arts to help young people cope with the loss of one or both parents.
At the heart of the Orpheum’s programs lies the essential task of building communities. They strive to create spaces where people can express themselves freely, be seen, and be heard. By doing so, these programs aim to empower participants to discover shared commonalities, cultivate compassion and empathy, and develop deep relationships that can last a lifetime. “These creative outlets help participants process challenges and large emotions and provide a place to think differently and work through what they might be carrying,” McGrath says. “Learning to hold space for themselves and others fosters their social-emotional development, builds confidence, and develops the skills necessary for teamwork and innovative collaboration.”
“Once I learned the mission of STAR Council and the importance of ‘Taking A Role’ in the community, I knew I had to apply,” says Danni R., 12th-grader, and 2-year STAR Council Member. STAR Council is a service-oriented group that extends an invitation to all high school students in the Memphis region to participate in theatrically-based activities that promote learning and volunteerism. Every month, students assemble to receive information on volunteer prospects, engage in team-building exercises with fellow students, and delve into the practical applications of theater in serving the community.
“The STAR Council’s focus on theater and service felt like a natural fit for me. There is nothing better than learning about the theater world from professionals and sharing the joy that comes from all aspects of a theatrical production,” Danni says. “I expanded my knowledge of local high school productions through my connections that I made with my fellow STAR Council members. There is something special about coming together to enhance the communities we serve. STAR Council has taught me, as the Orpheum mission states, “to entertain, educate, and enlighten.”
Another remarkable initiative is the Orpheum’s Mending Hearts Camp. This program creates a nurturing and compassionate community for young people who have experienced the loss of one or both parents. They can explore their creative passions and connect with others who share similar experiences.
“These creative outlets help participants process challenges and large emotions and provide a place to think differently and work through what they might be carrying,” says McGrath. By fostering a sense of empathy and building long-lasting relationships, this camp empowers our campers to develop new skills, embrace their emotions, and positively transform their lives. “Learning to hold space for themselves and others fosters their social-emotional development, builds confidence, and develops the skills necessary for teamwork and innovative collaboration,” adds McGrath.
“My favorite activity at camp was the balloon release. Our activities change every year, but a few years ago, we wrote a note to our loved ones and attached it to a balloon for the release,” says Lauren W., 6th-grader and 5-time Mending Hearts Camp attendee. “It made me feel like I was sending a message directly to my dad.” Lauren learned a valuable lesson during her time at camp: the true measure of a relationship isn’t the length of time spent together, but rather the quality of that time and the appreciation shown for it.
The opportunity to reunite with friends and the wonderful counselors who provided a supportive environment was an excellent motivation for Lauren to return to the camp. “They (counselors) were really just like a friend that could listen, understand, and share their experiences as well,” Lauren adds. “The counselors are very nice and encouraging, and they will always help you when you are feeling down. If you have a problem, they are willing to go out of their way to help find a solution and make you feel better. They are also very respectful of how you and everyone feels.” She also gained a deeper understanding of others’ experiences and emotions through her participation in the camp. She recognized that everyone’s journey is unique but believed that she could offer support and guidance to her peers. “Mending Hearts Camp teaches you how to cope, and you can always teach someone else your methods to help them,” Lauren says.
With open arms and an inclusive mindset, the Orpheum has made significant strides in serving more people and breaking down barriers. “We offer more free programs and need-based scholarships so that cost does not have to be a prohibitive measure,” McGrath says. “In addition to onsite programming in both our 94-year-old historic building and our new state-of-the-art Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education, we also offer programs off-site in the heart of the communities we are serving to remove the often prohibitive barrier of transportation.” As a result of implementing various changes and adaptations, the Orpheum has observed heightened engagement, a broader outreach, a more diverse pool of participants, and an enhanced sense of inclusion and belonging among those who attend their programs and engage with them.
For more information about the Orpheum and its education and community programs, visit orpheum-memphis.com.