AMERICAN EXCHANGELINK TO PHOTOS This is how it started ....... I have been Head of Drama at Thurston for six years now. Following one of those potentially embarrassing college reunions, I met up with an old friend who is now Head of Theatre at Milwaukee School of the Arts, in Wisconsin. “We should arrange an exchange between our students, “ I said, partly in jest. There was a moment’s silence while the mood changed. “Yes we should” he said. So after much internet correspondence and transatlantic planning – we did! Together we devised an exciting opportunity for our students to share in a project which was much more than a cultural exchange, enabling young people from both communities to live, share work and be creative together. “I see only positive wonderful experiences for both groups of students, ensuring an increased awareness of how other young people live and create art. “ Ralph Janes – Head of Theatre MHSA  PHASE ONE: US to UK:
From Tuesday 4th to Saturday15th November 2008, Thurston hosted a group of Milwaukee School students (aged 17 – 18). The exchange was launched by a professional theatre performance from MULTISTORY THEATRE COMPANY, which included a former director from RSC. They led a 3 day workshop for both Thurston and Milwaukee students, based on their performance BEAST! This led to a performance on the evening of Friday 7th. American students were hosted by Suffolk families.
During the second week, the two groups joined together in some lessons and a programme of day and evening events including performances, theatre and cultural visits and a day trip to London, visiting The Globe and two contrasting theatre performances. The second week culminated in an original devised, performance by final year A Level students, followed by a powerful and emotional piece from the Milwaukee group, A Place in the Heart  PHASE TWO: UK to US
Between 28th March and 11th April, (final week of Spring term and first week of the Easter holiday) Thurston students visted Milwaukee and were able to go to lessons, share their current Drama work and participate in a residency led by a young American director with Broadway experience, again resulting in a performance. We then spent two days in Chicago, prior to our return. Milwaukee families hosted Thurston students in return.
In June 08, I visited Milwaukee and the High School. Milwaukee is a pleasant and safe city with a thriving theatre and arts scene. Johnny Depp was filming while I was there! The Milwaukee High School for the Arts is an inner city school, but in feeling, it is not unlike Thurston. The standards in the Performing Arts are very high. Having visited Chicago again, I was reminded of what a spectacular city it is – stunning architecture and amazing museums, galleries and theatre, right on the edge of Lake Michigan. In many ways it is far more exciting and interesting than New York.
 UK to US
On the 28th March 2009, 13 drama students from Thurston Community College made the long trip to Milwaukee, USA where they stayed with a host family for two weeks, having themselves hosted the Milwaukee students back in November 2008.
The aim of the trip was to show students the significant cultural differences between England and America, as well as experiencing the American lifestyle at first hand. But above all, the exchange was about seeing a range of quality theatre performances. Witnessing at first hand the energy and talent at Milwaukee High School of the Arts (MHSA) made the Thurston students eager to perform their three A-level drama pieces to over 200 students at the school. We also performed a group piece, Dennis Potter’s Blue Remembered Hills. The Milwaukee students gave constructive and positive criticism and were impressed with the level of work we bought over, which gave us a great sense of achievement. We all felt extremely welcome and at home with the Milwaukee students in their school.  We also took part in a hip-hop residency workshop with Kyle Taylor-Parker, an ex-student from MHSA who is currently working as an actor in New York. The workshop gave the Thurston students an insight into the hip-hop culture through dance, music, acting and poetry. It was fascinating to learn about Kyle’s approach and he was a real inspiration to us all. Other highlights of the trip included seeing several American theatre shows, the best being the ‘Blue Man Group’ and our three-day trip to Chicago, an amazing city just two hours away from where we were staying.
Everyone on the exchange agreed that it was a fantastic and rewarding experience and we will never forget the few weeks we spent with the MHSA students, both here and in America. We have made true friends during the exchange and learnt huge amounts about American culture, education and of course, theatre. Saying goodbye was hard for all the students, chaperones and teachers, yet we were thrilled to hear that this exchange will continue, and the 2009 students are already organising a reunion! A massive thank-you to everyone who made the exchange possible. Finally, here are some revealing thoughts from both Milwaukee and Thurston students, about their time in England and America: “I feel I have come back a different person who has a broader view of the world. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and if it hadn’t been for this then I would probably never have visited America. Thank you for this experience.” – UK student. “I can’t believe how close our new friendships are already! I’ll be miserable until we can all be together again. Thank you for a wonderful stay.” – US student. “I am so pleased I came on this trip, as it has boosted my confidence and has really made me think about what I want to do in life!” – UK student. “I think it's safe to say that this exchange has been a powerful and positive experience for everyone involved. Students and adults alike. I'd especially like to thank you for allowing us chaperones the opportunity to experience both sides of the equation. It was a delight to be guests in your homes and school this autumn, because you all were so welcoming of us. And how different -- but equally delightful -- it was to have a student (or two, in a few cases) living in our homes this spring. I agree that all of us involved in the exchange, young and old, have made friendships for life.” US Parent/Chaperone “A fantastic experience – obvious thought went into the matching process – our girls got on fantastically. Loads to do – great variety... even though it was busy the adrenalin kept them going. The performances were breathtaking considering the time to prepare. A massive thank you ... for organising the exchange.” UK Parent If you have 10 minutes or so to spare, please click on this link to WUWM, the public radio station in Milwaukee. Emily Barber and Lucy McCloskey (together with Caroline Jaecks representing our hosts at Milwaukee High school of the Arts) gave an interview about the exchange programme. Scroll down a little way to the Performing Arts Exchange item. http://www.wuwm.com/programs/lake_effect/view_le.php?articleid=691 It was a fabulous experience for all concerned – as I think you’ll hear them express very eloquently. The whole group were marvellous ambassadors for Thurston. Mrs L Davies, Head of Drama & Dance
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