Millard West to open first high school production of ‘Great Comet’ in region – WOWT

Report on Millard West High School’s Musical Production and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Executive Summary

This report analyzes the production of the musical “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” by students at Millard West High School. The analysis focuses on the initiative’s contributions to several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting its impact on education, well-being, community, and equality.

Advancement of SDG 4: Quality Education

The production serves as a practical application of inclusive and equitable quality education, promoting lifelong learning opportunities through the arts.

• Skill Development: Students engaged in a complex, sung-through musical featuring diverse genres from electro-pop to opera, thereby developing advanced technical and artistic skills.
• Ambitious Curriculum: As the first high school in the Midwest to perform the show, the program demonstrates a commitment to a high standard of educational achievement and artistic excellence.
• Interdisciplinary Learning: The musical connects students with historical literature (Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace”), music, and theatrical arts, fostering a comprehensive cultural education.

Promotion of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

The initiative strengthens community fabric and promotes well-being through cultural engagement.

1. Mental Well-being: The production’s central theme, that “it’s never too late to start over and to begin again,” promotes messages of resilience and mental well-being, which are crucial for healthy lives.
2. Community Cohesion: By offering an accessible cultural event, the school fosters community engagement and strengthens local identity, contributing to the creation of inclusive and sustainable communities.
3. Youth Empowerment: The project showcases the significant contribution of young people to the cultural vitality of their community, highlighting the hard work of students, technicians, and orchestra musicians.

Support for SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

The narrative and collaborative nature of the production align with goals related to equality and peaceful societies.

• Gender Representation: The story focuses on the complex journey of its female protagonist, Natasha, offering a nuanced character study that contributes to the goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
• Themes of Peace: Derived from the epic “War and Peace,” the musical provides a platform for exploring themes of conflict and resolution, indirectly supporting the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies.
• Collaborative Institutions: The successful execution of the musical is a testament to the strong, inclusive partnership between students and faculty, reflecting the principles of effective institutions as outlined in SDG 16.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • The article discusses a high school musical production, which is an integral part of a quality education. It highlights how students at Millard West are engaged in a complex artistic endeavor, developing skills and appreciating culture. The student’s quote, “it’s really a testament to the hard work of the people we have in our program and the technicians and the orchestra musicians,” underscores the educational and skill-building nature of the activity.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The performance is presented as a local cultural event for the “Metro” area. By staging a significant musical and making it accessible to the public (with information on purchasing tickets), the school contributes to the cultural life and vibrancy of the community, which is a component of making communities sustainable and inclusive.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults with relevant skills

   • The article points to the development of relevant skills. Performing in a “sung-through” musical with “electro-pop” and “operatic” styles requires significant artistic, technical, and collaborative skills. The mention of “technicians and the orchestra musicians” further indicates the development of a broad range of technical and vocational skills among the youth involved.

2. Target 4.7: Ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills for sustainable development, including appreciation of culture’s contribution

   • The production of “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812,” a musical based on Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel “War and Peace,” directly fosters an appreciation for global culture and history. It allows students and the community to engage with a major cultural work, aligning with the goal of promoting culture’s contribution to sustainable development.

3. Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage

   • By adapting and performing a story from a classic piece of world literature, the school is participating in the safeguarding and promotion of cultural heritage. Making this performance available to the local community is an effort to strengthen local cultural life.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Indicator for Target 4.4 & 4.7: Participation in and quality of arts education

   • The article implies this through its focus on the student performers and the complexity of the show. The fact that “Millard West is the first high school in the Midwest to perform the show” serves as a qualitative indicator of an innovative and high-quality arts program that provides students with unique opportunities for skill development and cultural engagement.

2. Indicator for Target 11.4: Number of local cultural events

   • The article provides a concrete example of a cultural event available to the community, complete with performance dates (“Nov. 6-9”) and information on how to “purchase tickets.” This specific event can be counted as part of the total number of cultural offerings that contribute to the community’s cultural vitality.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wowt.com