A JOURNEY WITH NEEDLE ART

2011-11-10T15:11:00.000-08:00

2011-11-10T14:59:00.000-08:00

Bowling Party - Cast Gathering

2009-02-17T04:50:00.000-08:00

This Saturday, February 21st, at 1:30 we are having our cast reunion bowling party at North Bowl in Philadelphia. Please come for laughter, hugs, food and fun!

See you on Saturday!

a few words from Connor!

2009-02-05T04:25:00.000-08:00

Congratulations everyone. This was the best opera that I ever saw even though it was about a very sad time. Everyone did a great job especially Miss Karen, Christian, Bernard and Gianluca. I really liked when everyone ran on stage and pretended to jump rope and skip, and I really liked when everyone said their name. I also thought Caleb did a great job as Brundibar. I am excited about the bowling party.

See you all soon,
Connor

Connor's mom shares her thoughts

2009-02-03T20:38:00.000-08:00

I feel so grateful to have been able to contribute, albeit in a small way, to this production of Brundibar, and I've come away with lots to think about.
First, I never stop being amazed at the power of the arts to speak to our souls - to get us to feel as well as know about a thing. Teachers do the important job of teaching our kids about the facts of the Holocaust, and an opera like Brundibar allows us to experience powerful feelings. I like that the extended presentation of Brundibar is more evocative than explicitly instructive because it really allows the audience to feel rather than think. I think the marriage of fact and feeling is so important for everyone, but especially for children who don't have a fully developed capacity for compassion and empathy.
Compassion and coming to the aid of others are important themes in Brundibar. This opened up a great opportunity for me to talk about these things with Connor, and we had plenty of time on our drives in and out of the city. We talked about how lucky we are to have been born in this time and place in the world, to be healthy, have our family, and be able to meet our basic needs. We talked about how many people around the world and in this country don't have that ability. After a couple of weeks of these car chats, we were waiting to get onto 76, and Connor was complaining about the dinner that I'd packed for him. He hadn't eaten it, but instead ate vending machine fare. I got really aggravated with his complaining, and I pointed out a homeless man that was walking back and forth on the median carrying a sign, "Maybe I should give your sandwich and snack to him," I snapped. "You know mom, you really should," Connor answered quietly. Now, normally - I'm ashamed to admit- I am terribly cynical and judgemental about these kinds of situations, but I had food that was going to go uneaten, it was a very cold night, and my son was actually wanting to act on what we had been talking about for weeks, so I thought I should put my money where my mouth is (so to speak). I wasn't brave enough to hand the man the food. I sealed it up in a gallon zip lock baggie that I had in Connor's lunch box, and tossed it out the car window onto the median. We watched as the man walked up and down the median, and then finally found the food. I hope it truly was a help to him. I think it was important for Connor and for me to stop talking about helping and giving back, and actually do something - even something so small. That experience reaffirmed to me how important it is for our kids to see us being compassionate and empathetic to the people around us, and to see us taking action to give back to the world by using whatever talents or passions we possess.
Franz Krasa wrote Brundibar as a short piece to perform in orphanages in order to bring some hope into the childrens' lives, and now Karen has used her musical skill and gifts to continue bringing Krasa's message to children, and to create a memorial to the brave children of Thereseinstadt and all over the world who were denied the chance to grow up and contribute their gifts. Karen's hard work and dedication to bringing this message to the public really impressed me. On a personal level, I can't thank her enough for the wonderful and gentle way that she worked with Connor and myself. She had a lovely way of seeing the positive side of some of Connor's more challenging behaviors, and found a way to bring out Connor's talents, so that he could make a really positive contribution to Brundibar. He felt such a great sense of accomplishment. Karen's patience and compassion for Connor helped me to remember that we need to be tender with our kids, and focus as much as possible on the positive. It helped me to remember that creating a peaceful world really does begin in our own home.
Last, I really appreciated the saying of the childrens' names. The idea of honoring someone by speaking of them often and by name is so powerful. Connor's name was Frantisek Steif. I don't think that I will ever forget that name. Now when I think of loved ones that we have lost, I will also think of Frantisek.
To all the children and parents who participated in Brundibar, it was so wonderful meeting you all!!
See you all soon,
Deanna Gabe

Emily's words

2009-02-02T20:43:00.000-08:00

I think Brundibar was a little bit of a sad play. Because in the end none of the boys and girls went the same way. Especially Annette and Little Joe. It was kinda fun making Brundibar. I was happy to do this production. Especially saying the children's names to honor them. Doing the play with the other kids was really fun. I already miss them. But I am glad I get to see them again at the bowling party. I made good friends there. When I was at dark places behind the stages. Some people helped me find my way. And protecting me . I want to thank them. Karen is a really good director. So is Christian and Bernard. Gianluca is really good on the piano. Can't wait to see you all again.

Emily Van (7yrs old)

Daniel's mom, Madeline sums it all up...

2009-02-02T07:50:00.000-08:00

The making of Burndibar began for us with a call and an email from Karen around the Thanksgiving holiday. We knew it would be a big commitment because Daniel worked with Karen and the International Opera Theater in “Il Racconto d’Inverno” when he was 6 years old and that required some intense rehearsal time. After we saw a clip of the previous performance and knew the performance dates we decided as a family to partake in this journey.
For Daniel an audition and rehearsals began during the Christmas break at the International Opera Theater studio. Working with Karen is an adventure in itself. She has a way of getting kids to learn their lines and songs that’s sort of unusual. Daniel would come home and play these games like walking across the room while counting, but the counting can’t match your footsteps. Or the mimicking game that we all find real annoying. The funniest one for me was when he had to learn the correct pitch of the song, she used “little toy lego men” to represent similarity and differences. What an eye popper that one was. Daniel summed it up with the statement Karen loves the best: “Karen, your methods are odd”.
The first day of rehearsal for all the children at the International Theater set the tone for the whole production “family”. Karen is such a warm, loving person she, to me, has a motherly feel. Also the children themselves during their break would just gravitate together. These are children who don’t know each other or come from different backgrounds as far as schooling, ages, and geographic location. They became fast friends. Parents as well would chip in to help each other. For us getting to and from rehearsal without a car was difficult. However Pat (Libbey’s mom), Catherine (Sara’s mom) and Greg and Alexa (Roman’s parents) would always provide a ride for the children. It got to the point at school that when one of the parents showed up, me for example, someone would say its Opera children pickup time, but I was just giving Daniel some Tylenol because he had a headache. Rehearsal continued after school and sometimes all day on weekends. Every rehearsal ended with a gigantic group hug with Karen in the middle.
As parents often do, we involved ourselves in the creation of the production. Moms were helping with makeup for that ideal animal look. Some sewed to perfect costumes. Other parents made sure we honored “the children of Theresienstadt” by hanging 85 pages full of their names. All of us put ourselves out there with obtaining the “right” costume for our child by buying, bleaching or dyeing.
Performances began at The International House on Sunday, January 25 the week of Holocaust remembrance. Backstage the children are unusually quiet on the uncomfortably hot steps as they waited for their musical cue to go on. They wanted to perform their best. They had friends and family watching. Poor Sydnee had to change twice in the tight, warm area on the steps. Those that went on first sat further down while the animals sat higher up the steps. For this first performance and the unusual condition the children created an astonishing beautiful show. I believe they did a great tribute to “the children of Theresienstadt”.
Our weeklong performances took us to two different schools. The first was Agnes Irwin School near Villanova University where two of our actors Marie and Elizabeth go to school. It was with the contribution of their family and the school that we were able to perform there. We came back to The International House to performance for Nina’s and some other schools on Tuesday and Thursday. An unexpected break on Wednesday because of the snow gave us a much-needed day to relax and recuperate especially for Sydnee and Natalie who had stomach viruses.
Our last venue was at Girard Avenue Music Program (GAMP) School. Where our own Rodney (Milk man) goes to school. I have to say this being our last performance; it was very difficult keeping the kids settled backstage. They were so excited and I guess distressed for it being their last performance. I definitely felt their excitement. They were given some seats but no one could sit still. Most of the time they were making hand puppets from the pen light one of the GAMP students set up for light back stage. It was interesting to see the children’s reaction to this last performance: Daniel’s finger tips were cold as ice; Brian set up his chair to face his sister Maya and rested his feet on her lap; Evie and Rachel comforted the little ones who were scared of the darkness; Brandon couldn’t stay in one place long enough; the sparrows Emily and Dana were chirping away; Mariah and Sara did some jumping routine to get their energy up to perform; some could sit and gather their thoughts to do a terrific performance.
It is so hard to say good-bye that parents have been emailing each other to set up a time where we could get the kids together again. The children are running around with programs and Tasha’s posters to get each other to sign them, and phone numbers are being exchanged. Through this all we know we have to go back to our lives, put our frame of mind back to the routine before the “making of Brundibar”. Brundibar will always have a special meaning to us, the children and parents, who helped with Karens’s vision, to give honor to “the children of Theresienstadt”.

Madeline Leonard

a hello from Moriah

2009-02-01T19:52:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone this is Mariah Livigni! :) I had so much fun and I am hoping to see all of you again soon... (crying) I am so happy to have had the opportunity to meet all of you.

Sara shares

2009-02-01T13:38:00.001-08:00

Hi, My name is Sarah W. Rome. I live in Philadelphia. I was a dog in Hans Krasa’s wonderful opera, Brundibar. During my experience in this opera I have made many friends. There also were some of my friends from my fantastic school, The Philadelphia School. Though sometimes it got stressful because of the very little time we had, it was good for me to be in this production, it was one of the best experiences of my life.

Words from Kathleen.

2009-02-01T08:34:00.000-08:00

I wanted to give every one the numbers of those who you reached with the performances. Our audiences approached one thousand people (985). Many of the attendees were students, with schools coming from as far away as Harrisburg, Pa (2 ½ hours on the bus!). There were all ages -kindergartners through older students, your friends and families and strangers who came - and at the end of your performance they all were enthralled and clearly moved. You have educated many ambassadors in the message of Brudibar – peace, goodwill and the ability to stand up against bullying. You should all be very proud of your performances. Kudos to the parents who made great sacrifices to make this production happen, Bernard, Christian and Gianlucca who worked so hard and Karen who had the artistic vision to see this and the work ethic to make it happen! Bravo, Kathy Glackin

Thank You

2009-01-31T20:41:00.000-08:00

I really want to say thanks to everyone that made this beautiful project possible. In this month I felt so connected with all of you, and I feel that we created a fantastic group.

I came here in Philadelphia 2 months ago. I knew only Karen. Her incredible dedication made me extremely confident about what was going to happen here. Since I knew her in Città della Pieve, I understood that I met someone different and special. I felt so lucky to have the possibility to work with her. And I know that she gives something unique to everything she works on.

All this project could not be possible without the incredible involvement and dedication of Karen. This project has something really different and now. She gave her soul her heart completely in "Brundibar" as in all the other projects that she did. Working with her has been so rich for me that the biggest "thank you" of the world is really not enough.

I think that this group of people, children, parents, and all that worked so hard to make Brundibar, is a gift. We work together for a month, but i felt part of this reality from the first rehearsal. And now I feel completely as a part of this group, that is not only related to Brundibar, but also to a kind of human being that is generous, open, sincere and loving. And I don't want to lose it, just because the performances are over.

Every day has been a discover of something new and deeper. We built a relationship that went beyond the music, and beyond the fact that we worked together. We learned to know each others, and I think that everyone of us understood something new about the person that we are.

I want to say again thank you to Karen, for the possibility that she gave me to be here, in this days, doing something so important and loving like "Brundibar".

and........

Children of Brundibar, in this month you filled my soul with vibes and feelings that rarely I felt in my life. I have the faces and the voices of everyone of you in my mind, and all the emotions that you gave me in my heart. And there these emotions will remain, forever. I could feel tired, sometimes really exhausted, but I never thought "Today I don't want to go to rehearse". Because I knew clearly that once I would be there I would be surrounded by your energy, your happiness and your love.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Hope to see all of you soon!
Gianluca
Pianist / Cookie Monster ;-)
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2009-01-30T14:32:00.000-08:00

The last morning.

2009-01-30T13:58:00.000-08:00

The morning of the last performance...

It's quiet...nearly time to get up and begin getting myself and the kids ready for today's performance of Brundibar. I'm thinking of the lines Evie says..."Do you know what Brundibar means to us?" I'm struck by what a moving experience this has been, both on and off stage. I'd anticipated that involving Sydnèe and Christopher in a production about the tragedy of the Holocaust would no doubt be an emotional experience for all of us, but I was surprised by the joy that fills the production - even down to the sweet sadness of the homegoing of all those beautiful children... Thank you so much, Karen for allowing us to share in your labor of love.

Thanks to all our children for giving their very best and doing such a great job, and to all the parents for making time spent in rehearsal so enjoyable! God bless you much!

Tasha Grant
NJ

A parent speaks...

2009-01-28T20:44:00.000-08:00

I never knew what Emily was getting into when her school principal excitedly told me about Karen's selection of Emily. At first I thought Emily was not gonna make it. Because I tried reaching Karen the first time and she didn't respond. Disappointingly we told the principal Karen must have found someone already. Surprisingly , the Principal called me up again after two weeks and excited again told me that Karen still wanted Emily to join her show. Of course I said yes!

I remember the first time I went to see practice. I was so charmed by Karen's directing. The kids instantly held my heart. I've never seen a large group of such well behaved children with no prejudices of gender,age,nor race,just pure hearted kids. Not to mention every single one of them was gorgeous. Immediately I was drawn to the beautiful sounds on the piano played by Gianluca. Not that I didn't fall asleep during practices, but only from being exhausted. That's another story. But nothing was dull at these practices. And I can see the anticipation of caring parents restlessly supporting the project. I looked forward to get off work and come to watch the practices.

I am nothing but honored that my daughter could be a part of this touching and deserving performance. I am proud of every child on the stage. They really gave their best effort. I belief all the parents that have sat through or wanted to sit through all those practices have already embraced these children as our own. These youngsters really deserve bragging rights! lol
It's sad to see the party end. I wish I have the means to travel and take off another ten months of my time to participate with Karen and her crew. But sadly in reality I don't have established estates and haven't won the lottery yet. LOL!!! So i have to continue my full time and part time job. "SIGH" But I truly thank Karen for the opportunity and all those that lend a helping hand to make this possible. This has made Emily and I really become rich at heart.

Most importantly, the performance really remind us all not to take our life and freedom for granted. And honor those innocent souls that was taken away, and mistreated so viciously. May these sounds and voices reach heaven to kiss their faces. May they smile in peace and comforted in the hands of the Almighty One.

Let there be peace.
Count your blessings!

Irene ( Emily Van's mom)

More beautiful pictures

2009-01-28T13:24:00.001-08:00

The Children

2009-01-26T09:49:00.001-08:00

more of The Children

2009-01-25T06:54:00.001-08:00

Poor Brundibar, he never had a chance...

2009-01-24T20:08:00.000-08:00

The kids rehearsing.

2009-01-24T19:50:00.000-08:00

Tasha, Syd and Chris' mom, has taken some wonderful photos!

Here are some of those famous "group hugs" that Karen and the kids are known to have...

Sometimes some of the little ones get lost in the middle of a hug.

a good laugh!

and a victory song...

Thoughts from a Parent...

2009-01-24T07:22:00.000-08:00

We were unsure what to expect when we decided to allow Sharnice to participate in this project. After speaking with Karen and reading the information about the production, we very much wanted to be a part of it. The topic and the tribute had such a special meaning we knew it would special. The end result was incredible. I am so grateful that my daughter was part of this. I cried as I watched the final scene during rehearsal. I know that the actual performance will be even better.

Carlotta Jones, NJ

The Children

2009-01-22T18:14:00.001-08:00

About Terezin

2009-01-20T14:59:00.000-08:00

Before World War II, Terezín was a small town of approximately 5,000 people. The eighteenth-century fortress city northwest of Prague was named for Hapsburg Empress Maria Teresa and called Theresienstadt in German.

The concentration camp Terezín was Hitler's "Model Ghetto." A careful facade of a village, complete with schools, shops and even an orchestra was created to mask the ghetto and camp functioning within. At the height of the war the camp held over 55,000.

Some 15,000 children came through Terezín. The fate of the children of Terezín was tragic; of the 7,590 youngest prisoners deported, a mere 142 survived until liberation.

Terezín was noted for it's artistic and musical output and legacy. As part of it's "Model Ghetto" status, many Czech, and later other nationality, artists and musicians passed through its gates. Although most of the creators perished, fortunately some of their work has survived.

One of the performances the children of Terezín gave to outsiders was the opera BRUNDIBAR. The opera BRUNDIBAR, with a libretto by Adolf Hoffmeister and set to music by Hans Kraása was completed in 1938. It was performed fifty-five times by the children of Terezín concentration camp, rarely by the same cast as children were deported east. Kraása, also Jewish, was killed in Auschwitz in 1944.