BUY TICKETS TO WOODWARD WONDERLAND
One of metro Detroit’s favorite holiday traditions, WOODWARD Wonderland celebrates everything magical about winter in the Motor City, yesterday and today – from from the Thanksgiving Parade, ice skating in Campus Martius, Motown Christmas songs, and the 12th Floor of J.L. Hudson’s.
December 8 & 9th at the DIA Film Theatre - 5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
Showtimes: Saturday @ 7 PM & Sunday @ 4 PM
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR WOODWARD WONDERLAND!
If you're interested in helping out your Mosaic Family, were looking for volunteers for Woodward Wonderland that are available on both shows days. You would help out with front of house duties. There will be a Volunteer training the week of November 26.
All those interested, email Darius at dbuckley@mosaicdetroit.org
Thankful moments
Notes from Mosaic’s Executive Director
Has every month this year past as quickly as November? Maybe it’s just me or maybe seeing Christmas decorations out in stores before Halloween made me feel a certain way. Amazing how the world moves so fast that it’s starting to skip over the built-in pause Thanksgiving brings. Whether or not you agree with the origins of that third Thursday in November holiday, most of us could use a minute to catch our breath and count our blessings.
I’ve kept a journal off and on since I was 10. And for the last few years, I’ve closed each entry with notes of gratitude. They’re nothing fancy, just thoughts of what I’m thankful for. Sometimes they run a few lines, other days a whole page. I distinguish these notes from my musings by writing them in a stand-out gel pen color like magenta or lilac. This way, I can flip through my journal and only read the thank you’s when I need to remind myself why life is grand on days when I forget.
There are several of these “silver lining” purplish paragraphs scattered among my entries. Reminders like, “Good thing the car decided not to start while I was at home or the battery might have died while I was out running errands alone one night.” Or, “You didn’t get that job, but the process let you practice for the right opportunity.” I make notes of immediate insights, lessons learned and delayed gratification. They’re all worthy of thanks. I happen to regard coming to Mosaic to be one of those delayed blessings.
So thank you. I’m thankful that our paths have crossed, whether face-to-face, voice-to-voice, via our social media pages or only through this newsletter. I’m glad you, your parents or a caretaker got you involved with Mosaic. I appreciate that we’re able to reach out to you this way and hope you like staying up-to-date. I also hope that you can find time to pause and say thank you this month and that if gratitude eludes you that you’ll dig deep for the silver linings.
I’ll share with you that my father passed away last month and this Thanksgiving will be far quieter without his presence. Finding joy some days is a deliberate act for me. But I do that by being thankful for the dad God gave me and that my brothers and I get to carry on his legacy. He’d always tell us that time flies whether you’re having fun or not. So I choose to spend these too-short days appreciating rather than deprecating the wishy-washiness of life because I believe (and science shows) that gratitude begets happiness.
Here’s to November. Catch a moment to pause. I’m wishing you many reasons to be grateful.
- Stefanie
Need a little help finding a reason to say thanks? Take a look at a few articles I uncovered on ways to be grateful every day:
129 Reasons to Be Thankful https://www.success.com/129-reasons-to-be-thankful/
8 Ways to Have More Gratitude Everyday https://www.forbes.com/sites/womensmedia/2016/07/08/8-ways-to-have-more-gratitude-every-day/#497299431d54
How to Be Grateful When Times are Tough https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/254199
FRANKENSTEIN WAS FRIGHTFULLY SUCCESSFUL!
1.) Tell us about yourself.
Hello guys!! My name is Jack Williams III and I am a proud product of Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit. I was a Mosaic Main Stage Singer from 2011-2017 and a Next Stage Singer from 2012-2017. I I currently am a sophomore at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance studying Choral Music Education and a graduate of Renaissance High School. I was fortunate to be able to do a lot of the big performances that Mosaic has done in the past couple of years such as both World Choir Games(2012/2014), Josh Groban Tours, Apollo/Carnegie/Public Theater debuts, Live recording with Foreigner and a host of other community performances with Mosaic.
2.) What has your experience been like studying at U of M?
Being at U of M has been no cakewalk but it has been very rewarding nonetheless. I love going to school for music and studying something that I love every day. I get to work with amazing faculty members and students learning and performing beautiful music. I sing in the Chamber Choir led by Dr. Eugene Rogers and we sing a lot of newly commissioned pieces by young composers and it’s been an amazing journey so far. I’ve also been awarded some amazing performance opportunities as well. In my freshman year I was a member of the chorus for the University’s production of Porgy and Bess, I sang with the Men’s Glee Club at the American Choral Directors Association regional conference in Chicago and got to perform during the Who Can Relate mental health concert for the rap artist Logic. Most recently I sang in the Game of Thrones Live Action Concert Experience with some other SMTD singers.
3.) What is the greatest challenge you've faced in your college experience thus far and how did you overcome it?
The greatest challenge that I’ve faced is realizing that I do belong there. In the class of 2021 voice department there are only 2 black students. Luckily we both went to high school together so we were good friends but there have been plenty of times where we have felt excluded from our peers. It’s nothing that they did on purpose but they just had different experiences than we did and could relate to each other better. I finally realized that I had to audition here just like they did and that I was chosen for a reason. Every once in a while, I’ll start to feel that way again and I have to remind myself that I’m here for a reason and that keeps me going.
4.) What lessons did you take from your Mosaic experience that influenced your work at U of M?
Out of all the lessons, biggest lesson I learned from Mosaic is the concept of being a consummate professional. You are always, always, ALWAYS being watched ESPECIALLY in college. College is the time where you make long lasting relationships with people who you could work with in the future. Professionalism is key in everything that you do whether you’re in class or just hanging out in the lounge with your friends. As a young African-American from a predominantly black area, the stereotypes are automatically there and I love the look on people’s faces whenever I prove them wrong. Always remember that you are a representation of so much more than yourself.
5.) What are your plans for the future (post-college)? What is your big dream?
My plans for the future change almost every day. Sometimes I want to try and pursue a performance career after graduation and sometimes I want to go straight into teaching. I have an equal love for both and often times I find that my performance skills enhance my teaching skills and vice versa. Although most of the music that I study is classical, I don’t think I’d want to make a career in classical music. I have a large appreciation from music of all genres and I don’t want to limit myself to just one thing. My biggest dream is to make a didn’t with my gift. Mosaic really helped me see that in the small community bookings that we would do. Singing behind Josh Groban and performing at the Apollo Theatre is fun and all but what really matters is the fact that Mosaic makes a difference in the community. Mosaic has been dubbed “the gem of southeastern Michigan” and they stand true to that to this day. Doing small community performances and also events like Perform-a-thon really show you how much power the arts has on people.
6.) What advice would you give a current or future Mosaic Young Artist?
The main piece of advice that I would give to any current or future YA’s is to keep going!!! Mosaic is gonna push you and at times you’re going to want to give up but stick with it. You will be so much more advanced than your peers in college. The experiences and training that you’re going to get in Mosaic is comparable to that of any professional in the arts. You would think that in college people would be a lot more professional but you’d be amazed at the complete and utter lack of professionalism that I have seen from students and staff members alike. Mosaic is a wonderful place with amazing young people and staff members. Cherish it while you can and always remember to give only the best and nothing less on stage and in life for the rest of your life.(I know it was cheesy but i just had to)
MOSAIC AUDITIONS COMING UP!
DECEMBER 17 & 18, 2018 5:30PM-7:30PM at Mosaic (2251 Antietam Street Detroit, MI 48207)
ENCORE: MOSAIC'S ALUMNI MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
The Mosaic Alumni Partnership (M.A.P.) is designed as a collaborative program where all Mosaic Alums feel engaged, find opportunities for career advancement, and maintain lifelong friendships. Join us today and follow the M.A.P. that leads to connections and success!
LEVEL ONE (APPLAUSE) $60 today or $7.50 monthly
Exclusive Mosaic Alumni Partnership Lapel Pin. Mosaic Alumni Partnership (M.A.P.) Membership Card.15% discount on all Mosaic Merchandise. Name added to list of Alumni (M.A.P.) Members. Access to one webinar and/or in-person M.A.P. Industry Seminar featuring Mosaic Alums and Friends of Mosaic in a variety of industries.
LEVEL TWO (BRAVO) $120 today or $12.50 monthly
Exclusive Mosaic Alumni Partnership Insulated Tumbler. Mosaic Alumni Partnership (M.A.P.) Membership Card.15% discount on all Mosaic Merchandise. Name added to list of Alumni (M.A.P.) Members. Access to two webinars and/or in-person M.A.P. Industry Seminars featuring Mosaic Alums and Friends of Mosaic in a variety of industries.
LEVEL THREE (ENCORE) $240 today or $22.50 monthly
Exclusive Mosaic Alumni Partnership T-Shirt. Mosaic Alumni Partnership (M.A.P.) Membership Card. 15% discount on all Mosaic Merchandise.Name added to list of Alumni (M.A.P.) Members. Early VIP Access to pre-show Alumni mixers before Main Stage Performances. Access to all webinars and/or in-person M.A.P. Industry Seminars featuring Mosaic Alums and Friends of Mosaic in a variety of industries.
*Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Your contribution to Mosaic is tax-deductible to the limits allowed by law for nonprofit donations. No goods and services were provided in exchange for your generous financial donation.