The Culture House is a very deep well of quenching in a dry and post-modern, fractured and broken world. It meets people where they are,
artists, children, and parents, and takes them professionally with excellence on a journey of discovery and release through the arts and
integrity into the public square. The Culture House makes a difference.
-Nigel Goodwin
A year and a half ago having just relocated to Kansas City, we were searching for a place where our 13 year old son could take acting and singing classes. This had been his passion for a very long time and we had not had a very positive experience finding good classes where we had lived before. A person we had met at our church here, who had worked with our son doing skits for Vacation Bible School, mentioned that The Culture House might be a great place for him. Frankly, it sounded too good to be true, but wanting to find something for him soon, we went the next day to check it out. We were greeted by wonderful people who answered our questions and gave us a tour. We found out that the last camp of the summer would be starting the next week, so we signed him up. This camp was the beginning of something great for our son. That camp introduced him to really quality instructors who were positive and supportive and who provided a safe and encouraging environment to learn. It also gave him an opportunity to meet kids his age that share his same interests. These kids have become his friends. Over the past year and half we have seen his confidence grow in every aspect of his life. His performance in school has improved and he feels better about himself. Even if things don't go well with the kids at school, he always knows that he has friends waiting for him at The Culture House. He has had the opportunity to be in 3 Musicals at The Culture House and has enjoyed every minute of it. It's hard work, but he doesn't mind because he is doing what he loves with people he loves to be with.
-Parent
The five years that I worked with the Culture House have been some of the most meaningful years of my life. When Mona Enna asked me to work with Störling Dance Theatre I was only seventeen and had no idea how much it would affect my life. I was a young dancer not really knowing what to do with my art and training in regard to my commitment to Christ, and the Culture House provided an outlet that I never expected to exist.
Not only were Jeremiah and Mona highly skilled and professional artists, but they also had such giving and loving hearts that they extended to me in their leadership. One of the most meaningful things that I learned was in the daily relationships with the dance company members. Those relationships are life-long, and have survived the tests and struggles that continually occur in daily life. The way that the Enna's focused on people and relationships instead of just the latest project was what taught me how important people really are.
- Jeanene Winston
Debbie, my "Flying Monkey" was grinning from ear to ear last night when she came home. And not just because she returned to play practice. It was pure joy and delight to share all the great stories of her cast members, and how well they were all doing. Tales of munchkin antics, and the Jitterbug dance "Mom you have just GOT to see it, its so awesome!!" And more. After having gone to a wake last Sunday for a friend's 4 year old who died of cancer, seeing her so full of life and all of the kids last night smiling and happy reminds me again just how sweet and precious this gift of life truly is. We are really lucky to have them all. Have a good rest of the weekend.
- Karen.
Since our daughter started participating in activities at TCH we've been very impressed with the faculty, staff, students and programs.
I helped with security during the Lord of the Jungle production and was quite pleased with what I observed. From where I stood during the performance I could watch the children having their makeup applied and costumes adjusted. The children were very orderly and well behaved. Even though it was very hectic, at no time did I hear a cross word or witness anyone being impatient. The organization was excellent.
The show was great, but one incident stands out, making it a wonderful experience. Prior to the Saturday afternoon performance, a little girl arrived with her grandmother. Her grandmother didn't have a pass to the Green Room and the girl didn't want to go down without her grandmother or a friend. Unfortunately, the friend was late and the girl began to cry.
Meanwhile, Christiane was buzzing all over trying to do a thousand things before the performance all while holding an ice pack to her neck. Christiane saw the girl crying and stopped. She talked to the girl and hugged her until the friend arrived. Then everyone was happy and the girls went down to the Green Room to get dressed. For me, this was the highlight of the show and why we're so pleased our daughter is at The Culture House.
We're looking forward to another year at TCH. May God bless you, your family and The Culture House.
-Parent
Jamal's Story
Jamal was 14 years old when we first met him. He was in a juvenile lock up facility because he had gotten in trouble with the law. At 14 he had already fathered a child and been involved in drugs. His grades were very low and he was behind in his education. Like many of the troubled youth that the STAR Program has helped, Jamal had little to no confidence in his ability to learn, succeed or have a productive life. Many of the young people with his background have a hard time imaging life past 20 as so many in their circumstances are dead or in prison by that age.
Jamal was encouraged to take performing arts classes when The Culture House started offering them at the juvenile confinement center. As it turns out, he had a great gift for drama and creating characters.
He discovered that he could also sing and dance as well. He thrived so much in these classes that he signed up for as many as he could during the school year. He took dance classes, performed in small dramas in a variety of characters that he crafted with the help of his teachers, and sang in a recording studio. As Jamal began to experience success in the performing arts, his confidence to learn successfully also grew. His grades improved and his overall enthusiasm for learning was enhanced.
After 2 years of these classes, Jamal had a chance to 'graduate' out of the juvenile delinquency program. With much improved grades, successful testing, and a consistent history of positive growth in the program, Jamal auditioned for the elite performing arts high school in the city. He was accepted into the program with the proper grades and the ability to share his performing arts talents. He was one of a rare group of students who had ever graduated from the youth program that not only left the program successfully, but was integrated back into the normal public school system.
-Nigel Goodwin
A year and a half ago having just relocated to Kansas City, we were searching for a place where our 13 year old son could take acting and singing classes. This had been his passion for a very long time and we had not had a very positive experience finding good classes where we had lived before. A person we had met at our church here, who had worked with our son doing skits for Vacation Bible School, mentioned that The Culture House might be a great place for him. Frankly, it sounded too good to be true, but wanting to find something for him soon, we went the next day to check it out. We were greeted by wonderful people who answered our questions and gave us a tour. We found out that the last camp of the summer would be starting the next week, so we signed him up. This camp was the beginning of something great for our son. That camp introduced him to really quality instructors who were positive and supportive and who provided a safe and encouraging environment to learn. It also gave him an opportunity to meet kids his age that share his same interests. These kids have become his friends. Over the past year and half we have seen his confidence grow in every aspect of his life. His performance in school has improved and he feels better about himself. Even if things don't go well with the kids at school, he always knows that he has friends waiting for him at The Culture House. He has had the opportunity to be in 3 Musicals at The Culture House and has enjoyed every minute of it. It's hard work, but he doesn't mind because he is doing what he loves with people he loves to be with.
-Parent
The five years that I worked with the Culture House have been some of the most meaningful years of my life. When Mona Enna asked me to work with Störling Dance Theatre I was only seventeen and had no idea how much it would affect my life. I was a young dancer not really knowing what to do with my art and training in regard to my commitment to Christ, and the Culture House provided an outlet that I never expected to exist.
Not only were Jeremiah and Mona highly skilled and professional artists, but they also had such giving and loving hearts that they extended to me in their leadership. One of the most meaningful things that I learned was in the daily relationships with the dance company members. Those relationships are life-long, and have survived the tests and struggles that continually occur in daily life. The way that the Enna's focused on people and relationships instead of just the latest project was what taught me how important people really are.
- Jeanene Winston
Debbie, my "Flying Monkey" was grinning from ear to ear last night when she came home. And not just because she returned to play practice. It was pure joy and delight to share all the great stories of her cast members, and how well they were all doing. Tales of munchkin antics, and the Jitterbug dance "Mom you have just GOT to see it, its so awesome!!" And more. After having gone to a wake last Sunday for a friend's 4 year old who died of cancer, seeing her so full of life and all of the kids last night smiling and happy reminds me again just how sweet and precious this gift of life truly is. We are really lucky to have them all. Have a good rest of the weekend.
- Karen.
Since our daughter started participating in activities at TCH we've been very impressed with the faculty, staff, students and programs.
I helped with security during the Lord of the Jungle production and was quite pleased with what I observed. From where I stood during the performance I could watch the children having their makeup applied and costumes adjusted. The children were very orderly and well behaved. Even though it was very hectic, at no time did I hear a cross word or witness anyone being impatient. The organization was excellent.
The show was great, but one incident stands out, making it a wonderful experience. Prior to the Saturday afternoon performance, a little girl arrived with her grandmother. Her grandmother didn't have a pass to the Green Room and the girl didn't want to go down without her grandmother or a friend. Unfortunately, the friend was late and the girl began to cry.
Meanwhile, Christiane was buzzing all over trying to do a thousand things before the performance all while holding an ice pack to her neck. Christiane saw the girl crying and stopped. She talked to the girl and hugged her until the friend arrived. Then everyone was happy and the girls went down to the Green Room to get dressed. For me, this was the highlight of the show and why we're so pleased our daughter is at The Culture House.
We're looking forward to another year at TCH. May God bless you, your family and The Culture House.
-Parent
Jamal's Story
Jamal was 14 years old when we first met him. He was in a juvenile lock up facility because he had gotten in trouble with the law. At 14 he had already fathered a child and been involved in drugs. His grades were very low and he was behind in his education. Like many of the troubled youth that the STAR Program has helped, Jamal had little to no confidence in his ability to learn, succeed or have a productive life. Many of the young people with his background have a hard time imaging life past 20 as so many in their circumstances are dead or in prison by that age.
Jamal was encouraged to take performing arts classes when The Culture House started offering them at the juvenile confinement center. As it turns out, he had a great gift for drama and creating characters.
He discovered that he could also sing and dance as well. He thrived so much in these classes that he signed up for as many as he could during the school year. He took dance classes, performed in small dramas in a variety of characters that he crafted with the help of his teachers, and sang in a recording studio. As Jamal began to experience success in the performing arts, his confidence to learn successfully also grew. His grades improved and his overall enthusiasm for learning was enhanced.
After 2 years of these classes, Jamal had a chance to 'graduate' out of the juvenile delinquency program. With much improved grades, successful testing, and a consistent history of positive growth in the program, Jamal auditioned for the elite performing arts high school in the city. He was accepted into the program with the proper grades and the ability to share his performing arts talents. He was one of a rare group of students who had ever graduated from the youth program that not only left the program successfully, but was integrated back into the normal public school system.
