One of the casts of “ Lion King , Jr .” in front of the student-made “ Circle of Life ” sun .
teachers , was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will forever be grateful for ,” she says .
By day , Jaecks is an elementary art teacher at Marshall Elementary School as well as an elementary art facilitator for the entire North Allegheny district . She also serves as coordinator for the district ’ s Traveling Art Gallery program .
Prior to the start of her master ’ s degree program , Jaecks was the choreographer for the North Allegheny High School spring musical and choreographed nine shows for the district from 2007 through 2015 . “ During ‘ Shrek the Musical ,’ my husband even solicited the cast ’ s help for his marriage proposal to me ,” smiles Jaecks .
She is currently the Artistic Director for Gibsonia ’ s JBT — a group that provides educational practice and performance opportunities in voice , dance , acting and stagecraft for kids in Pre-K through high school , as well as professional performance and leadership opportunities for JBT alumni and artists in residence .
JBT was founded by Christie Jeter — who still works as Director , Producer and Musical Director for the organization — when she determined there was a need for quality children ’ s theater education in the area . The first production literally took place in her backyard , which spawned the theater ’ s name .
Now , 10 years later , the group rehearses at the “ home base ” in Gibsonia and performs at The Kean Theater , a venue that seats 350 audience members . JBT performs up to eight full-scale musicals each year , including allday and half-day weekly summer camps that culminate in a show at the end of each week and use MTI ’ s Broadway Junior and KIDS Collection as the main curricular resource .
Typically a show ’ s cast rehearses for eight to 10 weeks prior to show week , at which point everything is moved into
The Kean Theater for dress rehearsals and performances . A typical rehearsal schedule for a middle school student is two hours per week . Rehearsal times and days increase during tech week , in preparation for the show .
“ JBT is a safe , creative environment to train , practice and perform ,” says Jaecks . “ Teachers and students enjoy a rich learning environment that encourages collaboration , generosity and leadership . We believe that supporting each other is the only way to succeed .”
In addition to serving the community artistically , the group is committed to supporting various organizations focused on improving the lives of foster children around the world . JBT has worked with Together We Rise to pack 250 “ sweet cases ” for local and regional children entering the foster system . The sweet cases contain hygiene and comfort items with a personal message of hope . The organization also has donated thousands of dollars to Children ’ s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC pediatric cancer patients and the March of Dimes children ’ s charity .
JBT team before traveling to Atlanta for the Junior Theater Festival .
“ My favorite thing about JBT is the opportunity I have to work with amazing kids and educators throughout the creative process of putting on a show ,” says Jaecks . “ Musical theater is the perfect collaboration between visual and performing arts , and children ’ s musical theater adds a unique element of creativity and enthusiasm to the process .”
The members of JBT experienced this creative collaboration during the summer 2015 performance of “ The Lion King , Jr .” JBT students participated in an activity to create a sun backdrop from ordinary supplies including fabric , zip ties and deer fencing . “ The sun is integral to the plot of the show ,” says Jaecks . “ It represents the Circle of Life .” To create the giant 12-foot circle , every student had to do his or her part and stand in an exact spot while it was cut out . The surrounding negative space was lifted away by the students to reveal a perfect circle that could not have been created without everyone ’ s involvement . Every student then wove a strip of fabric into the sun , representing his or her part in the creation . “ This experience truly demonstrated that when creativity and collaboration work together , anything is possible ,” adds Jaecks .
Part of what makes JBT such a special place is the group ’ s educational philosophy that children learn by doing . JBT kids are given the opportunity to play all of the characters in a show , help build the sets and make props , run the lights and help backstage . “ When kids are given opportunities like these , they learn much more than just theater skills ,” explains Jaecks . “ Kids learn to respect and work with others , to be responsible , to learn from their mistakes and learn how to be a part of a team that ’ s working toward a common goal .”
For more information about Jeter Backyard Theater , or to become involved , visit jeterbackyardtheater . com . ■
North Allegheny | Spring 2017 | icmags . com 31