Performance artists from Mineral Springs Middle School took their talents to their wider neighborhood on Wednesday morning with a selection of performances at Salemtowne Retirement Community.
About 30 student artists participated in the showcase, performing songs, dances, original poems, and scenes from school plays. Mineral Springs Middle is an arts magnet school, and the trip to Salemtowne was not only these students’ final project of the school year, but also a great opportunity to demonstrate off campus what they’ve been learning all year. Sharing the acts that they’ve been carefully honing and becoming passionate about with the rest of their community was a proud moment for the group.
“This is our second visit to the Salemtowne this year, and our students absolutely love it here,” said Magnet Coordinator Alya Day. “They feel like they’re really doing something special for their community.”
For a student considering a career in the arts, getting used to public exhibitions is an intimidating but crucial step. Performance arts in particular require composure and confidence in front of an audience, and while it’s one thing to perform in front of your classmates, teachers, and family at school shows, there’s a sense of elevated stakes in front of a more general crowd. The Salemtowne trip was a valuable experience for students who felt ready to take that next big swing.
“It’s a chance for them to prove themselves and to show off their skills,” said Theatre Teacher Amir Cooper. “I think that means a lot to them.”
There’s an extra significance to the occasion for students at Mineral Springs Middle as they are changing the way community sees the school. The best thing they can do to prove that Mineral Springs Middle produces great talent is to simply get up on stage and show everyone what they can do.
“I love my peers, I love my teachers, and I love getting to show a good side of our school that not everybody gets to see or wants to see,” said 8th Grader Jayla Campbell.