The Prism Project at the Hartt Community Division

Do you have an interest in working with students with disabilities? Would you like to learn what it is like to work with this special population? Consider being a part of the Prism Project at the Hartt Community Division.  We are looking for buddies to work one-on-one with students with disabilities in rehearsals that will culminate in a music and dance performance.

The Prism Project at the Hartt Community Division serves two purposes. First, it is a performing arts program for students with disabilities. Many students with disabilities struggle to develop and maintain social relationships. The Prism Project provides these students with opportunities to learn appropriate social skills through participation in the performing arts with their peers. Second, it serves as an authentic context learning experience for University of Hartford students working one-on-one with the performers during the rehearsals. Through participation in the Prism Project at the University of Hartford students will learn motivational and instructional strategies that may improve their ability and willingness to teach, work, and empathize with children with disabilities.

The project will begin with rehearsals in late January and culminate with a performance in April. The timeline is outlined below. Please stop by the Hartt Community Division Office or contact Dr. Jacqueline Smith, Prism Project Director, at jacksmith@hartford.edu for an application.

Timeline:

• November 15: Deadline for buddy applications
• Thanksgiving break: All buddies will be notified before the start of break.
• January 26: First rehearsal and Training Day for all buddies and directors, 11:00am - 3:00pm (Konover)
• Rehearsals on Sundays from 1:00pm - 2:30pm: February 2, 9, 16, 23, March 1, 8, 29, April 5
• Dress Rehearsal: April 19 1:00pm - 3:30pm (tentative) at Lincoln Theater
• Performance: April 19 at 6:00pm at Lincoln Theater