FUTURE PERFECT WORKSHOPS with 1,300 Chicago area Youth
The five years of Future Perfect Project Workshops (from 2014-2019) were entirely funded by a grassroots campaign generating donations from individuals and local organizations. Thanks to all who supported and participated in this program.
Future Perfect Workshop Details: 2014-2019 Bellissima Opera Artistic Director & Project Producer - Christine Steyer Bellissima Opera is indebted to the amazing poets, musicians, teachers, volunteers and 1,300 students who gave their time and talents to this project.
Nicholas Senn High School, Chicago: 10/24/14 Teachers Diane Piette Artists Maureen Kwiat Meshenberg, poet & writing exercises Christine Steyer, soprano Franco Martorana, tenor Videographers Paul Geiger Rebecca Keehner Typists Jeanette Mancusi Writing Prompts Labels Opposite of Love Speaking One’s Peace Unsung Heroes Pick any Word
Brookdale Senior Center, Ages 7-26, Oak Park: 10/18/15 Artists Maureen Kwiat Meshenberg, poet Juliana Engle, crafts Christine Steyer, soprano Videographers Brian Bator Craft Project Students decorate sashes and armor shapes for costume pieces
Nicholas Senn High School, Chicago: 1/13/17 Teachers Diane Piette Artists Maureen Kwiat Meshenberg, poet & writing exercises Reginald Eldridge, poet D’angelo Robinson, student poet facilitator Imani Brunson, student poet facilitator Christine Steyer, soprano Franco Martorana, tenor Anatoliy Torschinsky, piano Videographers Christine Steyer Typists Jethra Kapp Molly Allsheid Diane Scott Jim Price Susan Huizinga Writing Prompts Every Picture Tells a Story If You Were King, Queen or Ruler for a Day The Colors in Your Life In a World Without Limits I Would… At a Rate of 200 Million Cells Per Minute, I am Becoming... Who am I? I am…
Lane Tech College Prep High School, Chicago: 4/3/17 Teachers Paul Carrera Mark Carrera Artists Maureen Kwiat Meshenberg, poet & writing exercises Christine Steyer, soprano Franco Martorana, tenor Anatoliy Torschinsky, piano Karen Tlusky, sound Videographers Christine Steyer Typists Cindy Senneke Jim Price Catie Withers Susan Huizinga Writing Prompts If I Could Live My Life Out Loud The Most Beautiful Sound The Universe Sings Diversity Heals My Space Capsule Choosing to Transcend A Message to Future Generations Change Begins with Me My Song for Humanity
Lincoln Elementary, 3rd Grade, Oak Park: 5/9/18 Teachers Claire Bartell Julie Anderson Artists MG Bertulfo, poet, author & writing exercises Christine Steyer, soprano Videographers Cory Andersen Typists Susan Huizinga Writing Prompts My Superhero of the Future Crazy Plants Too Much Technology–People Forgot Stadium Invasion Mysterious Mural
Lane Tech College Prep High School, Chicago: 6/4/18 Teachers Paul Carrera Mark Carrera Artists MG Bertulfo, poet, author & writing exercises Christine Steyer, soprano Sugar Blue, harmonica Mark Burnell, piano Videographers Christine Steyer Typists Katie Rub Anneliese Ayers Writing Prompts The Mandala is My Universe I Release My Mandala My Blues Song Is If You Take Time to Know Me, You Would…
Al Raby High School, Chicago: 6/12/18 Teachers Teneisha Huley Artists Carlos Jiménez Flores, poet & writing prompts Christine Steyer, soprano Videographers Christine Steyer Typists Christine Steyer Writing PromptsLove of Self Love for Other Love of Other Things
Unity Temple, Unitarian Universalist Youth, Various Ages, Oak Park: 7/29/18 Teachers Juliana Engel Artists Paul Geiger, narrator Christine Steyer, soprano Peter Storms, piano Videographers Christine Steyer Paul Geiger Craft Project Students discover thechrysalis and the butterflies and create their own
John Kinzie Elementary, 6th Grade, Chicago: 5/9/19 Teachers Shannon Torres Artists Christine Steyer, soprano Videographers Regina Janczyszyn Craft Project Students design costumes for opera characters
Unity Temple, Unitarian Universalist Youth, Various Ages, Oak Park: 7/28/19 Teachers Juliana Engle Artists Susan Sensemann, visual artist Videographers Juliana Engel Craft Projects Students create a flower mandala and study the concepts of impermanence
John Kinzie Elementary, 8th Grade, Chicago: 10/7/19 Teachers Shannon Torres Assistants Regina Janczyszyn Artists Juliana Engel, artist & project workshop leader Christine Steyer, soprano Videographers Christine Steyer Juliana Engel Craft Project Students design costumes for opera characters
“Transcendence”
Transcendence. What we’ve done before doesn’t serve us anymore.
Like a tree’s unwanted leaves my tears fall down. Like broken-heart shaped needles my tears fall down. Transcendence.
I pray for a better day I may never see. I cry myself to sleep, I need help along my way.
Transcendence. What we do today The world is yearning for.