Dear Minneapolis: A Message of Support and Hope for Minneapolis Students
Our students are resilient, bright, and excited to work on their futures. We know that it’s been a difficult start to the new year in Minneapolis with significant challenges to our students and families’ sense of hope, safety, and belonging. Our students asked for inspiration and hope while many were participating in virtual learning options in their homes. When thinking about what we could do beyond our regularly scheduled Workshops, Arts, Expeditions, and Institute programs, the idea of using art as a springboard for conversation and inspiration, as is our foundation, led us to creating something beautiful for our students to enjoy.
On Feb. 6, Project Success partnered with Broadway Unlocked for Dear Minneapolis, a livestream concert from New York City featuring messages of support and hope from Broadway performers, including a special introduction from Lin-Manuel Miranda.
“We want the kids from Project Success and everyone in Minnesota to know that the world has your backs, and that we are all in your corner,” said Miranda. “The work of Project Success is extraordinary, and we are so proud to support it.”
Watch the full video of Dear Minneapolis on YouTube!
Performers included Kate Baldwin (Chicago, Hello Dolly!), Kaila Mullady (Freestyle Love Supreme), F. Michael Haynie (Heart of Rock and Roll, Wicked), Paolo Montalban, (Funny Girl, Descendants: Rise of Red), Morgan Anita Wood (Hamilton), Anne Fraser Thomas (The Queen of Versailles, Titanique), and Eric Michael Krop (Godspell).
Project Success students performed a beautiful rendition of “My Days” from The Notebook. The quartet featured Jack Grauman (Roosevelt High School), Luciano Marraffa (Andersen Middle School), Imani Muthiani (Northeast Middle School), and Adele Valencia (Roosevelt High School), accompanied by music director Haley Garland.
“I just really hope that when people see this, they know that there are people in their community that care for them, that will help keep them safe, and that are praying for them and hoping that they are safe and protected.”
-Imani Muthiani, PS Student at Northeast Middle School
Interspersed throughout the performances were letters to Minneapolis students from third grade students at Brooklyn Arbor in Brooklyn, NY. The students were asked to imagine the students in Minneapolis were great trees standing strong through a bad storm.
Here is one of the notes from Max:
Dear Friend,
There is a storm going on, but try to be like a tree.
There are roots. They support you. You can count on me. I will always support you. I will always be here for you.
The trunk is your inner strength. Always be confident. You are capable. Stay powerful.
Branches help you reach your goal. Don’t give up. Keep growing. Try new things until you succeed.
Leaves make a fresh start. Tomorrow is a fresh start. You will be what you want.
You are sweet like fruit.
So keep in mind whenever a storm is happening – be like a tree.
Our founder and executive director, Adrienne Diercks, shared remarks about how the concert came to be, drawing together so many people so quickly, and how a shared experience through art can be so powerful. “Theater and art go into your soul and go into our hearts,” she said. “And all of us are in this together — New York, Minneapolis, and anyone watching this. We’re together today.”
Thank you to our partners and all of the performers — especially our Minneapolis students Jack, Luciano, Imani, and Adele — for bringing their talents together for this unique event!