Take the Stage:
Media for Kids
Executive Producer / Writer / Director
Interactive arts media for kids
Take the Stage is a bilingual online platform of videos and lesson plans that teach academics through the arts. Currently, Take the Stage media is used by elementary teachers all across the United States through the PBS LearningMedia platform.
In addition to the educational media in schools, Take the Stage also includes a dance series on how to sauté with a professional ballet dancer and an episode where the Take the Stage Kids learn how to write and perform their own poems.
See more at: www.takethestage.tv
Why is Take the Stage important?
Through years of teaching, Dan saw that many schools had cut or reduced arts programs due to budget cuts. And because he knew from first-hand experience that youth are more engaged when they learn through the arts, Dan created Take the Stage so every child could have the opportunity for arts education through interactive media.
Carol-Lynn Parente, the former Executive Producer of Sesame Street, teamed up with Take the Stage to help produce this educational series. With her 30 years of experience at Sesame Street and support from local PBS in Houston, they filmed Take the Stage videos in English and Spanish for grades K-5.
Take the Stage is funded through grants from the Brown Foundation, Houston Endowment, Texas Commission on the Arts and The Baxter Trust.
“As a bilingual teacher, sometimes it is hard to find videos that include a song, dance, and are both in Spanish and in English. Having these videos is beneficial for me as a teacher.”
Collaboration with performing Artists
The Gregory Brothers
This group known for their hilarious videos and auto-tune wizardry created a fun music video to teach about solid, liquid, and gas in the Take the Stage video, “The Dancing Scientist”.
DJ Reborn
After seeing her command a crowd at the Apollo theatre, Dan asked her to take on a role as a DJ slam poet in the Take the Stage pilot episode. She’s now on tour with Lauryn Hill!
Mariachi Tradición de Jalisco
When filming in Texas, it’s required to include a Mariachi band. These talented musicians composed and acted in the Take the Stage video, “Sofia and Mr. Parrot”.
Houston Ballet
Andrew Murphy from the Houston Ballet gave the Take the Stage Kids a class on how to sauté and taught the viewing audience as well!