April 23, 2008, (Salt Lake City) – Music, laughter, and smiles await the public at a free “Spell-a-bration” performance on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. in the University of Utah Fine Arts Auditorium.  LEAP students at the University of Utah are working with Salt Lake City’s Neighborhood House to host an event that mixes music, dance, painting, photography, and video. 

“This program will delight and inspire all who attend,” said Dr. Jennifer Bauman, University of Utah professor and LEAP advisor.  “We have had so much fun getting to know the children and their counselors at the Neighborhood House.”

The “Spell-a-bration” performance is the work of the Fine Arts LEAP class.   This project, inspired by Bauman, is the second annual Fine Arts LEAP production in collaboration with Neighborhood House.  The students were responsible for creating a story idea and transforming it into a full-length production that explores the arts in a way for the children to comprehend and enjoy celebrating.  The LEAP students visited the Neighborhood House twice a week for two months to have the children create the story and production.

“We learned as much from the kids as we [taught] them. It has been such a rewarding experience to work with the kids and give them the interaction with the university,” said Rachel Turner, Fine Arts LEAP Peer Advisor. 

Throughout the process the students were responsible for finding the funding and budgeting as well as creating an exhibit and documentary to show the rest of the Salt Lake community what they had achieved.  The final product will be the premiere of the documentary created by the students and will show the work throughout the production process. Following the documentary will be the performance created by the LEAP students and Neighborhood House children.

LEAP stands for Learning Engagement Achievement Progress and is an organization that helps students with the transition from high school into the university lifestyle.  The Fine Arts LEAP is designed to assist students in succeeding in the arts by teaching how to create a full-length production with  all the complexities of behind-the-scenes  work.  During this process, students learn to depend on others and learn the value of fund raising and budgeting. 

The Neighborhood House’s mission is to provide quality day care and supportive services for children and adults based on their ability to pay.  For more information about Salt Lake City Neighborhood House, visit http://neighborhoodhouseonline.org/.

The “Spell-a-bration” performance is free and open to the public.  More information can be found by calling Jennifer Bauman at (801) 585-3266, or e-mailing j.bauman@utah.edu.  Since seating is limited, guests are encouraged to arrive early. No tickets are necessary.  For directions to the Fine Arts Auditorium, visit http://www.map.utah.edu/index.jsp. There is TRAX access nearby or parking at the venue.