One World Theatre launches its first after school arts program this fall. Based on a Roots of Rhythm curriculum, the program is designed to expose students to percussion instruments from around the world, while teaching them about the diversity of people and their customs.

The program, designed for students in third through fifth grades, will be available at Forest Trail, Bridge Point, Cedar Creek and Valley View elementary school campuses starting on various dates in September.

“Students will learn to construct and play musical instruments made with recycled materials, while learning about the diversity of people and their customs,” said Ellen Canas, OWT development director. “They gain first-hand experience of other cultures while developing their own creative arts skills and having fun.”

Students will participate in lessons that place a specific instrument and its rhythm within the context of a particular country and culture. Cultures introduced to students will include Egyptian, Native American, Thai and Cuban.

“As students make their own instruments and music, they will learn how percussion has influenced world cultures,” Canas said.

OWT classes align with state requirements in music, social studies, math and history. That has local elementary schools taking advantage of the opportunity to expose their students to music and culture. Already 75 Austin school district students and 40 Eanes school district students have enrolled in the program. Other participating Austin-area schools include Webb Middle School, Overton Middle School, Barcia Middle School and Bedichek Middle School. OWT currently receives financial support from the city of Austin through a cultural contract, and the Boys and Girls Club helps cover some teacher costs associated with their members.

“The after school program is the very embodiment of our mission at One World,” Canas said. “Our mission is to educate and inspire youth with innovative programs and workshops, as well as help build community by embracing a diversity of art forms, traditions and cultures from around the world.

The nonprofit arm of OWT provides a number of programs to educate and inspire youth from a variety of backgrounds with innovative cultural arts performances and workshops, including field trip opportunities to underserved schools for shows at OWT through the FUNd-a-Bus program, sponsorships of master classes that provide up close and personal experiences with world-renowned artists that music students of all ages can attend for free, traveling multi-cultural assemblies that visit Austin-area school children and scholarships to OWT performing arts summer camps.

For more information on the OWT after school program, contact Canas at 330-9500, ext. 116.