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Honoring the inspiring partnership of two Philadelphia educators, Andrea Green and Teresa A. Maebori, who are celebrating the 30th year of On the Other Side of the Fence, a musical created to break down barriers between students from the HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy in West Philadelphia and elementary students from Germantown Friends School.
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WHEREAS, Andrea Green is a playwright, composer, lyricist, musical director, professional jazz pianist/vocalist and music therapist. She is nationally known for her work creating musicals for children and family audiences. A musically-talented but shy teenager who was always in the chorus in the musicals at her huge suburban Philadelphia high school, it was in the intimate setting of a patient's room that Green uncovered her flair for spontaneously composing tunes that both entertained and encouraged; and
WHEREAS, The positive response she experienced gratified and motivated Green in return, and launched her toward her life's work in music therapy, which she studied in a masters program at Hahnemann Medical School in Philadelphia. Ms. Green has written fourteen upbeat Broadway-style musicals for children and families characterized by heartfelt messages on themes of tolerance and understanding. She should be applauded for her creativity in the staging of productions that showcase the joyous capabilities of children with cerebral palsy; and
WHEREAS, Teresa A. Maebori is an insightful and extraordinary Philadelphia educator who deserves gratitude and respect, as she prepares to retire, for her profound commitment to character education and the messages of inclusion and tolerance embedded within her classroom and musical On the Other Side of the Fence which has proven durable across three generations of Germantown Friends School students and their families; and
WHEREAS, On the Other Side of the Fence, is a tuneful show set in two barnyards, side by side and with the theme of taking down the fence of misunderstanding between the animals in the two barnyards. The show was initially conceived as a way to forge an emotional connection between students at a mainstream school—Germantown Friends School—with those at a special services school for children with cerebral palsy, HMS School in West Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, On The Other Side of the Fence was an immediate success with performers and audiences, and productions of the show continue to be staged throughout the USA as a celebration of breaking down barriers of all kinds --- not only physical challenges, but among students who are economically and socially distanced. It also launched the model Green would apply in the creation of many more shows, each with original songs and pro-social themes that children understand and their teachers and families appreciate; and
WHEREAS, Anti-bullying programs are recognized as essential components of character formation in our schools and musicals have the ability to make more of an impact than lecturing to kids. When children carry the message of tolerance themselves, through song, there's a better chance they'll internalize it; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby recognize, honor, and thank Andrea Green and Teresa A. Maebori in their inspired mission to break down walls, build bridges and create open minds among countless young Philadelphians.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Andrea Green and Teresa A. Maebori as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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