MKAF’s ArtsReach Program Goes Full STEAM Ahead

Atlantic Coast Theatre Presents ‘The Time Machine’

By Zandra Wolfgram 

It’s full STEAM ahead this fall for the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation ArtsReach program. 

Thanks to generous support from the St. Joe Foundation, MKAF recently engaged the Atlantic Coast Theatre for Youth to stage a two-week residency STEAM-themed outreach program in Walton County elementary and middle schools. 

STEAM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, investigates concepts through inquiry and problem-based learning methods used in the creative process.

September 10 through October 1, the Atlantic Coast Theatre (ACT) staged The Time Machine, a new musical based on the famed H.G. Wells’ science fiction novel. Published in 1895, the work is generally credited with the popularization of the concept of time travel by using a vehicle or device to travel purposely and selectively forward or backward through time. The term “time machine,” coined by Wells, is now almost universally used to refer to such a vehicle or device.

ACT is a touring troupe of professional actors dedicated to arts education. They exclusively stage productions designed especially for youth. Students are provided a study guide that is tailored to their grade level. Before and after the 50-minute show (performed on-site at schools), students can engage in a question & answer session to learn more and meet and greet the actors after the show.  

This staging of the musical will be infused with a “steam punk” theme. 

Steampunk was first coined in 1987 by K. W. Jeter, the author of the novel Morlock Night. He used the term to describe “a genre of speculative fiction in which steam, not electricity, drove technological advancements.” Since then, it has been used to describe an artistic and cultural movement. 

“This is such a cool concept,” says MKAF education director Melanie Moore. “We love how ACT incorporates all kinds of key subject areas that really enhance the educational goals that all of our school partners are working on.”

ArtsReach, MKAF’s community outreach program, leverages the talents of artists to provide hands-on art, theater and music education programs designed especially for K-12 students, children, and adults with special needs, as well as veteran and active-duty military service members. 

Under Moore’s direction, ArtsReach, has served nearly 50,000 in Walton and Okaloosa Counties. Altogether, since it was established in 1995, MKAF estimates its outreach has impacted 337,800. 

And more is on the way.

Despite the obvious challenges of the pandemic, with Fuller’s urging, Moore has grown the program manifold. In fact, 2021 has a record number of education programs underway (108 and counting!)—more than double the previous year.  

“The demand for is huge and I love that we’re able to step up to meet it,” Moore says.