Kids Who Care

Every Friday we take a break from our regular blogging schedule to allow the authors an opportunity to feature a certain topic they are passionate about. In the past you’ve read about art, studying abroad, experiencing culture through food, and the great burger adventure. Through this and other future posts we hope you’ll enjoy reading, we hope to share with you our personalities, passions, and interests on a more personal level.

When you can’t travel overseas, bring the world to you!

Here at From Texas to Beyond, we love to travel overseas; but as we all know, sometimes money, time, and other responsibilities limit these opportunities.  That does not have to stop you from experiencing and learning about our world.  In the DFW area there are hundreds, if not thousands of opportunities to meet people from around the world, feast on their traditional cuisine, encounter art, and experience music and dance performances that introduce you to different instruments and rhythms.

Arrival of the International Students

One organization that brings the world to Fort Worth is the student theater group, Kids Who Care.  Located in Fort Worth’s Cultural District, Kids Who Care hosts an international student exchange program since 1989 totaling more than 700 students.

Charlie Brown & Snoopy

Let me start with a little background.  David and I were familiar with the organization, as some of our friends have children who participate in Kids Who Care.  We had heard some incredible reviews of this group, but had never been to a performance.  A month ago, the Public Relations director invited us to view their latest show, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, The Broadway Musical.”  While originally written for only 6 voices, the staff of Kids Who Care managed to include over 90 children in their production!  Now, I have been to my share of kids musical productions as a performer myself and as a music educator for years…but I had never seen anything like this.  Holy Cow!  The talent!  The quality!  The dedication!  Both David and I were completely impressed!  And they only had 11 days to put this production together!  One student even created an amazing animated backdrop which used cartoon-like drawings that transitioned perfectly with the scenes.  It was so good, and timed so seamlessly, that we thought that the video came with the Broadway production package.

Snoopy vs. the Red Baron on the Animated Backdrop

Now back to the international element…The day we attended the musical, international students were arriving.  People in the community host these students.  They are engaged in English language immersion and leadership opportunities as well as musical theater education.  The summer program includes scheduled events such as visits to local museums, a family soccer day and even line dancing at Billy Bob’s.  In return, the host students and families learn about new cultures, deepening their understanding of the world and the rich gift of diversity.  Students in the Kids Who Care program also have the opportunity to be exchange students as well.  What a unique program and experience!

An Original Musical – Look Up

For this year’s international performance, the Kids Who Care staff have written an original musical called “Look Up.”  showing July 30-Aug 2.  Tickets are available now.  If you are not able to make this performance, there are many other options in the future through the tickets link.  If it is anything like their previous performance, you will be greatly impressed!

This post is sponsored by our friends at Kids Who Care.  I hope you enjoy the musical theater as much as I did.  All opinions expressed are my own.  All event details should be verified with Kids Who Care.  All pictures are given with full permission from Kids Who Care, Inc.