Let the tutus help them spread their wings

Seven-year-old Bridget Austin-Weiss dreams of one day being on stage in "Cats," but she's a little shy. She's a "closet performer," said her mother, Judith Austin.

With Austin's help, that could change next year. She and other parents at the King Open School in Cambridge have banded together to raise money for a new after-school theater program run entirely by parents.

"Our new initiative in arts education is in drama and theater," said principal Timothy Groves . "We're strong in that in the curriculum and would love even more opportunities for students to express themselves through arts. It's empowering."

Austin, an actress currently starring in a local production of "Match," polled her cast and crew, and they enthusiastically donated the $500 proceeds of a show to the new program.

Austin said they anticipate needing $8,000 to $10,000 to start, and after that, student performances will support the program.

The parent group is modeling the after-school theater program on one started at Graham and Parks Alternative Public School in 2002 . "It's a wonderful program," said Graham and Parks principal Barbara Boyle . "But it's a huge undertaking."

Boyle said the budget per show runs in the thousands of dollars. They plan elaborate musicals with large casts so as many students as possible can participate. One parent is the program's director, and other parents work on set design, costumes, playing music, corralling cast members when their scene isn't rehearsing, providing snacks, and carpooling. The school's last bus departs at 4 p.m., and the program runs until 5:30 , so parents have to make sure every student has a ride home.

Students in grades 3 through 8 can participate in the Graham program, and anyone can try out, Boyle said. They put on several free daytime dress rehearsals for their peers in school, and charge for the evening performances. Currently, they are rehearsing for "The Wiz."

Austin said her group would like the King Open program to be accessible to all students, and to avoid any student fees.

"We're a very diverse school and equality is a major component of the school," she said. "We want that to be a component of this program, too."

"The high school has a very good drama program," said Jack Haverty , president of the Cambridge chapter of the Massachusetts Teachers Association . "But drama is kind of rare at the elementary schools. Cambridge is very supportive of doing anything after school, so I'm sure it will be a success."

Boyle said the parents' efforts pay off. "Often kids who struggle in other parts of academic life really shine in a play," she said.

By this time next year, or earlier, perhaps Austin-Weiss will be wearing her tutu on stage, rather than just in her room.