Tony says Good bye

DTE had to say goodbye last week to our wonderful intern Tony. Though we'll continue to work with him at the Brooklyn International High School and at our major events like the Red Hook Waterfront Arts Festival, this will be Tony's final entry to the DTE blog. We wish Tony the best of luck through high school and beyond, and give him big thanks for all his hard work around the office and at events ranging from Angels and Accordions to Added Value's Harvest Festival.




As some of you know I was an intern at DTEtc. I was there for three months. I did many things with them. I got to watch a show called Angels and Accordions and learn more about it. What is the purpose of the show? To bring people to Green-Wood Cemetery to appreciate the history and the beauty.

I like working with Martha and everyone else because it’s not boring here. I work like I’m in a real job. I have my own computer and always have my task to complete. I challenge myself. When I’m done with my task I ask them, “Do you have some more work?” I like to work, not just sit here. This was my first job experience. I think I did great-I had no trouble just being me. One thing I liked about my internship was writing for the blog. I write a lot so that’s good for me. I will take the English Regents Test at the end of January and my writing is getting better and better.

They showed me how to run your own business and how you get money to have it keep going. I also learned some computer skills that they taught me. So I just want to drop by to say goodbye. I am going to work with DTE in the Red Hook Festival and any other upcoming events if they would like me to. Who doesn’t want a great worker like me? I am also going to Drama Club next semester because it’s a good thing for us. We are international students, so it’s a good opportunity for us to have to work with new people. I can’t miss that next semester- I have to be there.

Tony Talks About Performing With Drama Club

On December 8th Drama Club had a performance at BIHS, in the gym. The performance went really well- our students are very talented, and the NYU students are also amazing. The only bad thing for us was the audience. We did wonderful work, and it felt like only 6 people showed up. I felt remorse about that. I was kind of feeling bad because I thought the NYU students were going to think that the school doesn’t care about drama club. After the show we served the audience food and talked to them. The performance was great- I feel like next semester I can’t miss drama club.

After we performed for our school, BIHS, we went to NYU to perform. We had a performance at NYU on December 15th. We had one hour to practice before the show. When I entered the NYU Theater it was nice and clean- it wasn’t really a big theater, but for our performance it was awesome because when you talk the audience can hear you nice and clear.

After we had practiced, we opened the doors for the audience. I thought 30 people were coming to watch us, but at the first performance it was the same thing- only about 6 people showed up. Now I was kind of feeling confident about myself, because we had the same number of people that came to watch our performance at BIHS.

The show at NYU was great. Afterwards, when we were talking to the audience, we asked them if they had any question for us. Someone asked how it felt to work with the NYU students. I said it was fun because you get to learn about them- what they like to do, what its like being in college- and they learned about our culture. My buddy and I once went to get a coffee to talk and learn more about each other.

After the show we had a party for the actors, and that’s the last time we got to see the NYU students. It was hard to say goodbye, but everyone knows everything has an ending. So we talked to each other, took pictures and ate. At the same time it was a member of drama club’s birthday, so the NYU students surprised her with a cake. It was awesome. I wish we could see each other again, act together, sing and be in drama club again. NYU students- we miss you guys.

-Tony St. Hilaire, BIHS Student, DTE Intern

Our Journeys …and what will you bring?

A collaborative, original production created by the Brooklyn International H.S Drama club and NYU students.



Monday, December 15 at 4:30 PM (Doors open at 4:15)
Jerry H. Labowitz Theater at NYU
(715 Broadway- enter on Washington Pl.)

Monday December 8th
3:30 in the BIHS Gym


This performance is drama club’s final project of the fall of 2008. If you want to come you are welcome to. If you do, you will see what Drama club is about. You will see what we have been doing since September 17.

This performance is our idea from Drama club. It is our work from Mondays, when we meet, where we split everyone into small groups. At the end of each week we perform to the class what we had been working on. That’s how we make the smaller pieces that make up this big performance.

The performance is very cool, you should see it- the NYU students are amazing to work with. You should see us perform.

Performed by BIHS Students:
Mariama Jalloh, Djane Joseph, Aissitou Barry, Djussica Carzo, Patricia Etienne, Wilbenson Eugene, Nadine Fleurival, Rahilou Jalloh, Nebojoth Jean, Christopher Leger, Fedia Louis, Rosenerlyn Morisset, Dieunie Morisset, Agathina Nozy, Donald Jean Pierre, Gregory Pierre, Quan Tang, Christina Cadeau, Michel Franski, Awa, and Jean Tony Sthilaire,

And NYU Students:
Angie Crain, Ava Houshmand, Keri Lyons, Tegan McDonough, Jessica Muise, Emily Rozanski, Rachel Shapiro, Sloane Taylor, Rebecca Thom,

Facilitators:
Martha Bowers, Greg Manley, Lindsay Shields

Tony's Take on A&A

At the beginning of my internship with DTE I went to Green-Wood Cemetery to work on Angels and Accordions. The cemetery was so nice. The workers did a really good job keeping the cemetery clean. That was my first time in a cemetery in the United States.

Angels and Accordions is a performance DTE has every year that’s celebrating its fifth year. Before the show starts, Martha talked over the microphone with the audience to thank them for showing up. After that we told them we had a train if they felt like they can’t walk, “so feel free to get in the train.” There were two people holding tall umbrellas- we told the audience to follow them and to stop when they stop and walk when they walk.

The cemetery is so big it took us 2 hours to go around it. When we went around the cemetery we saw the actors as angels. They stayed still like statues. It was so beautiful walking with the people who were playing accordion. Some angels climbed on the trees, some were running on the ground- some angels were in the lake, dancing. I had fun there, I hope next year I see it again.

--Tony St. Hilaire, DTE intern

Tony Talks About Drama Club

In my school, Brooklyn International High School every year we have Drama Club. In Drama Club we help students with their English. It doesn’t matter if you just came to the United States, we make you try to learn how to say everything in English. We also make you teach us how to say it in your language.

Every workshop we have to perform; students have to show something they have worked on that day in Drama Club. Sometimes we show a dance, or a scene or even a poem. On 12/8/08 we have a performance at Brooklyn International High School, and 12/15/08 we are going to NYU to perform. The theme for our performance is Journey. In Drama Club we create our own story to perform. Each of the students has to tell about their journey from their home country to the U.S. After that we look at all of those stories that the students have told, then we give our opinion about what we think. After we finish talking it over we create one big performance and perform in our school and NYU.

An interesting thing about Drama Club is having NYU students work with us. The NYU students are taking a class called Equal Exchange. Coming to work with us at BIHS is part of their class work.

In Drama Club we always have a buddy system. The buddy system is when we match a BIHS student to an NYU student. They can plan to go to a movie or visit the college, and the BIHS students can teach about their home country and their culture. My buddy, Rebecca, asks me a lot of questions!

-Jean Tony St. Hilaire, Junior, Brooklyn International High School

Congrats Grads!

Dance Theatre Etcetera would like to congratulate all of the graduates from Brooklyn International High School, South Brooklyn Community High School, and all other graduating students who have worked with us.

Way to go! Stay in touch!

TheaterWorks Performance

Sometimes life itself is unfair. There are many reasons why people feel depressed, but there are also many ways to express those feelings. Deciding what you want is the first step to getting what you want out of life.On Thursday, May 22, 2008, students from DTE’s TheaterWorks at South Brooklyn Community High School shared their devised piece about peer pressure, friendship, loneliness, ignorance and innocence. These students are addressing these issues, finding solutions and overcoming them through their performance. This is their voice. They are spreading a message that the whole world needs to know.Students from the Performing Arts Program at BIHS filled the audience and shared in the passion and excitement.

- Nebajoth Jean, DTE Intern, BIHS

Loud Applause at BIHS International Festival

The 11th Annual BIHS International Festival surpassed every expectation with the amount of energy, emotion and passion for art onstage.


Students showcased pieces of dance, drama and music that they have spent the year preparing.

Special thanks to everyone who helped out backstage! Pictured below: Stage Managing Dream Team Ying Sha and Jenni.

The BIHS Principal Says...

"The International Festival provides an opportunity for our students to share and celebrate their native cultures with family, peers, school staff, and other friends of BIHS.

It is another way that we recognize the importance of building a strong sense of community within our BIHS home."

- Pamela Taranto, Principal at the Brooklyn International High School

Hollywood to Bollywood

Martha and the BIHS Performing Arts Club rehearse some Bollywood dance moves for the upcoming International Festival.

Ready to Audition?

Martha and BIHS Teachers and Staff prepare for the International Festival Auditions.

Dancing Up a Storm

Martha and BIHS students diligently working on a new piece.



Check out their debut at the BIHS International Festival!

Student Thoughts - Drama Club at BIHS

Hi, my name is David Etienne, and I have been a student at the Brooklyn International High School for three years. It gives me a lot of joy knowing that I have been part of Drama Club.

When I used to be back in Haiti, my country, I used to be a performer. I acted, danced and sometime read poems. When I came to the United State on May 16, 2003, I cried. I cried for many reason and one of them was the fact that I was leaving behind something I really loved doing. When I got to the U.S. during Junior High, I didn’t have a chance to do much. I only performed once in my two years of Junior High School. In September of 2005, I started school at the Brooklyn International High School. After a couple of days, a lady came to my class and mentioned Drama Club. Before I even went for the first time, my heart had already signed up to be a member.

I was a member of Drama Club during my Freshmen Year, and I was so happy to have the opportunity to go to a place where I was on the same level as the seniors. I allowed myself to learn from the teachers and the other students. I was performing, which is what I felt I was meant to do.

Sophomore Year was not so different from freshman year. I gave the staff a hard time when it came to being on time, but I always managed to make it onstage. In my second year of Drama Club, I was no longer a newcomer. I had the opportunity to grow more each time we met. In Drama Club, I was welcomed. I didn’t have to change anything about me. If I had something on my mind, the other members made me feel comfortable enough to share.

This is my third year with Drama Club. Junior Year is one of the busiest years in High School. At the Brooklyn International High School, all the Juniors have to do internships. With so much school work to do, students rarely get time to do any after school activities. My friend Jean and I are the luckiest ones because our internships are with Drama Club.

As for right now I am just hoping that in my senior year, I will have the opportunity to keep on coming to Drama Club. And I know for fact that if I end up not having the chance to be part of Drama Club in my senior year, I will still be a member of Drama Club always. Because everything that I have learn from the performers and staff members will stay with me until the day that I die.

- David Etienne, Junior at BIHS and DTE Intern

Student Thoughts - BIHS Drama Club

I’ve been a student at the Brooklyn International High School for two years. When I first came to the United States of America, I really wanted to find a place to express my thoughts and feelings. America was a place where I hoped to develop my talents. I also realized that America can be a stressful country, depending on the community that you belong to.

As I am an individual who is introspective and thoughtful, I really wanted to be a part of Drama Club. On my first day, it was really hard for me to understand what was said, although I really wanted to share my thoughts. I didn’t even know how to introduce myself. It was going to be a very horrible experience for me to continue because I always had an internal conflict between what I wanted to realize and the difficulties of going through the activities. At one time I was thinking that would be a waste of time, but I kept on going and I have never been discouraged.

Three months later, I found out that Drama Club was an accepting place. I found my spot here. It’s the only place where I have a chance to relax. I have also had a chance to write my own poem and rap based on how Drama Club has turned me into a different person.

Drama Club has done for me what a psychologist cannot do. Drama Club has taken away all the stress that I had. As an immigrant communicating with others, Drama Club has helped me to improve my English and learn about other cultures. Drama Club is my best experience I have ever had in my whole life.

- Nebajoth Jean, Junior at BIHS and DTE Intern

Pictures of DTE Youth Performances!

Take a look at the beautiful pictures of DTE's Performing Arts Program at BIHS (aka Drama Club) and SBCHS and Bailey's Cafe taken by Ally!

Youth Performances A Hit!

Thank you to all of the performers and audience members!

BIHS Arts Retreat

Students from the Brooklyn International High School, Martha's class at NYU, teaching artists Martha and Julia and BIHS Teacher Sheila spent Saturday rehearsing for DTE's upcoming performance.

DTE Youth Performances

Don't miss out on DTE's Youth Performances! Monday, December 17 @ 4:00pm at BIHS. Featuring work by: DTE's Performing Arts Workshop at the Brooklyn International High School, Bailey's Cafe Theatre Troupe, and DTE's Performing Arts Workshop at the South Brooklyn Community High School.

DTE First Benefit Astounding Success

After a day of hanging lights, tasting food, painting walls and hanging up overalls, the DTE Housewarming party and first ever benefit was underway! Thank you to everyone who helped to make it such a huge success! Hundreds of friends of DTE filled our new office space as we honored community leaders:

• Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez (New York 12th District)
• Greg O'Connell (Developer, Harbor View Associates)
• Millie Henriquez-McArdle (Division Director, South Brooklyn Community High School/Good Shepherd Services)
  
• Independence Community Foundation

We munched on delicious food from local restaurants, listened to the lovely accordion ensemble from Angels & Accordions led by Bob Goldberg, and jammed with musicians Akil Dasan and Navigante.

Students from DTE's Performing Arts Workshops at the Brooklyn International High School and South Brooklyn Community High School blew away the audience with previews of their upcoming performance pieces.
The night capped off with DJ Sinton spinning some great music for a rocking dance party!

Don't forget about the Greg O'Connell Overall Art Project - thanks to all the artists who donated time and creativity to help out our organization!

(DTE Staff After the Event)

BIHS Drama Club Working Hard

Dancing with Martha at the Brooklyn International High School's Performing Arts Program.



NYU students participate in the program through Martha's class in Gallatin.



Photos: Ally Milligan