School for Creative and Performing Arts Field Trip

Since we moved out of the Northwest Local School District, we were uncertain as to whether Morgan would be able to attend the school she attended at the fourth quarter of last school year. We are now in the Cincinnati Public School District, so we can pick whatever school she wants to go to (in the Cincy Public District). One school that captured our interest is was the School for Creative and Performing Arts, due to Morgan's talent in the visual arts. I didn't think it would be an option, since they already had their last set of auditions in June. But we found out they would be holding one last audition session this week. We got the audition packet downloaded and filled out and got an audition spot for 8:20 am this morning (Wed.)

The school wanted her standardized testing scores in Alabama (which I didn't have) before the audition, so by some miracle (and lots of phone messages--Thanks Linda!) we got the right stuff faxed to the school in time. I am surprised the fax made it, as school starts in Mobile on Thursday and no one answered the telephone at Baker in Mobile. And I really didn't expect them to be too concerned about helping us. But it worked out! Definitely a miracle.

The audition packet that Morgan had to work on was rather extensive, and she worked all day and most of the night on the drawings due--a self portrait, a still life, a design project and some writing. She was to bring in8 pieces in her portfolio of stuff she had already done as well.

We made it to the auditions on time and sat in the auditorium, awaiting her to be called back. One of the administrators made sure that we knew if we wanted a curriculum with heavy sports, that we were in the wrong place. Which made me chuckle. I think dance is the only sport played there. There is a gym with basketball goals, but I wondered if they were ever used for basketball and by whom.

Morgan was called back and we were told that it would be a couple of hours, so Archie and I explored the school. It is a very old (I'm thinking over 100 or 125 years) building with lots of marble and stone and high archways. There is no air conditioning (like most of the schools up here) but with all the huge windows open, it wasn't too bad, even through the heat wave we're having. There are five floors and the top floor (with the gym) has a great view which looks over the city. The school building reminded me of an older version of the University of Detroit, except with more architectural character.

While Archie and I were exploring, we stopped at a painting re-done on a bumpy wooden surface. Archie exclaimed, "Hey, it's A Starry Night! I know that one from Van Gogh!" A teacher happened to be behind us and said, "Wow, that's right! Very impressive!" Yeah...we home school!

A shout-out goes to my Mom, who shows the Van Gogh movie to Archie. Thanks, Mom!!

We explored the complexities of the stage, from floor to ceiling. Stage to lights. And sound equipment. We checked out the place where they make all the sets for the drama folks. We checked out one of the music rooms. The science section was pretty neat because they had a mural of the periodic table done all over the hallway. It was really awesome. Plus we saw pictures of graduating classes from the early 1920s. We had a fabulous time.

We met up with Morgan back in the auditorium. She says they really liked her "Nightmare Before Christmas" piece and kept nodding and saying positive things about her stuff. They asked lots of questions. She says she felt very positive about the audition.

We did find out that she can go back to Colerain because she's a senior this year. If she wants. She hasn't made a decision, nor has she been accepted to the SCPA yet. We'll find out something Monday or Tuesday, prolly when we're in Mobile. So we'll have to keep checking the answering machine!

I am hoping she gets a chance to decide which school she wants to go to. She put in so much effort for this audition. It showed such a maturity on her part to even be open to the possibility of the new school, even though Colerain says she can attend there out of district this year. I am really hoping she is lead toward this school to further develop her talent and expand her horizons as an artist. Any prayers or positive thoughts would be appreciated!