Education

Arts Education

The History of The Pastime Players

The Invisible Theatre’s art education programming has several components. We have been one of the nation’s leaders in arts education for special needs students attending public school. Our Pastime Players under the direction of Susan Claassen started as a workshop in 1984 and has grown into a prototype of innovative art education programming that focuses on ability rather than dwelling on disability.   

 these courageous young people receive standing ovations at each performance and have gained the respect and admiration of their peers and esteemed professionals, including everyone from jazz legends Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth to the award-winning actor, Kathleen Chalfant! The Pastime Players’ Touring Troupe has performed throughout Arizona in such diverse venues as the state legislature, Raytheon Corporation, The City of Hope-National Spirit of Life Dinner and at the Senior Olympics Opening Ceremonies. Audiences have ranged in size from 20 to 5,000. The Pastime Players also help to educate a community about the special gifts we all have to share and showcase the best of America’s public education.  The Pastime Players exemplifies an innovative project that supports the concept that when artists, teachers, legislators, administrators, funding agents, students and parents come together as a community, we really can make a difference! We are only limited by limited expectations: Expect the most and we get the MOST!  Some consider what these young people have achieved as mere dreams, but as Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams!”

SUCH GOOD FRIENDS

A documentary by Cyndee Wing and Film-IT Productions/Susan Claassen Artistic Director
With Theme Song by Amanda McBroom (Composer of “The Rose”) and Michele Brourman

SUCH GOOD FRIENDS is an award winning 2016 documentary chronicling The Invisible Theatre of Tucson’s Pastime Players. For over 30 years, Susan Claassen, then artistic director of the Invisible Theatre, has spearheaded this arts project. She, Gail Fitzhugh and a dedicated group of artists teach theatre, music and dance twice a week to exceptional education students. Verl, Danny, Beth, Janna, Meg and Jennifer have been members of this performance troupe. Their  connections and ultimate friendship tells the story of two very different worlds coming together through the power of the arts. In the documentary, we witness how they have changed the lives of the other individual participants and a community. We also see how this project has changed their lives. We meet their families and follow them as they embark on adulthood. We watch them as they make choices and struggle with the rigors of putting together their theatrical performance –THE ME INSIDE OF ME.

SUCH GOOD FRIENDS is much more than a film about a theatre project in an inner-city public school. It is an unforgettable journey from heart to art. Each story is a triumph over the odds. Some make it to the final performance – others don’t. Some students make it in life – others don’t. Some are defined by their disability and others by their ability. SUCH GOOD FRIENDS is what makes the difference.

In speaking about this project, Susan Claassen says “PROJECT PASTIME exemplifies an innovative program that proves the idea that when artists, teachers, administrators, funding agents, students and parents come together we really can make a difference! It has been my dream to make a film that showed the world that we are only limited by limited expectations – Expect the most and that is what you will get! When I contacted my longtime colleague and award-winning filmmaker, Cyndee Wing, she immediately came on board. As a direct result of working on this documentary, Cyndee went back to school and supplemented her Master’s Degree in Education in a post-graduate program and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. This program has been life-changing for everyone involved.”

This documentary is the culmination of five years of filming. Our most recent collaborators are Amanda McBroom and Michele Brourman. When asked why she would write the theme song for the film, Amanda replied, “First of all, I would follow Susan Claassen to the ends of the earth. I think she is an astounding force for good and for art on the planet. Being able to participate with the Pastime Players is good art! And inspiration. And hope. And most of all, it is an example of the major importance participating in theater plays in the lives of young people. It is imperative that theater be brought back into the schools to feed the imagination and creative inspiration of every student. Theater jump starts the confidence in all young people, especially these fabulous kids in the Pastime Players. I am honored to be included in the project!”

Harriet Tubman said “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” It is the Invisible Theatre’s hope that this film will be an inspiration for other communities around the world to create similar projects and to reach for the stars.”