TSA students hope Katy Perry hears their ‘Roar’

Toledo School for the Arts students spell out ‘Roar.’

Students at the Toledo School for the Arts hope their roar is loud enough to make them champions of a video contest that would bring pop super star Katy Perry to the school.

In a two-minute video, the school's high school students danced, played instruments and put on their tiger faces to the tune of Perry's most recent hit. The video is centered around a student contemplating enrollment at the charter school and offers a snapshot of many of the art programs offered at the school, including ballet, percussion, choir, orchestra, guitar and some visual arts programs.

"In the end, she finds her self and her self-esteem through art," said Nick Mariano, TSA principal. "It's pretty amazing."

The Good Morning America "Roar" with Katy Perry contest closed on Monday, with hundreds of schools across the country entering. The competition required students to produce a two minute video with Perry's "Roar" as the soundtrack. No voice-overs were allowed, just Perry's lyrics, and everyone in the video had to be enrolled in the school. The contest encouraged school spirit and positivity.

Contest winners will be announced the week of Oct. 14 and Perry will visit the school with the winning video on Oct. 25, her 29th birthday.

The TSA video was entirely produced by students, everything from the concept to the casting and editing.

"The ran the whole show as far as creation of the video and the shoot," Mr. Mariano said. "For as much as they want to win, I think they wanted to create school spirit and awareness. We don't have a lot of what traditional schools have. We don't have a football team to rally around, so every once in a while, we have these moments of artistic expression."

Throughout the course of the school year, TSA students will showcase their artistic expression through shows, concerts, plays and a variety of other events. This year, students are expected to perform or host about 130 events.

"We topped our number of events and quality again this year," said Lindsay Williams, communications manager for the school. "We're really exciting about all of the events we're working on."

Student performances of "Oliver!" are scheduled through Sunday at Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts. The musical is based on the novel "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens, and tells the story of a young orphan and his attempts to stay good in a society that refuses to help. 

A portion of proceeds from the show will benefit Beech House Family Shelter.

"The show kind of pulled on the students heart strings, because it's about children not having homes," Ms. Williams said. "The students wanted to do more. We've been very fortunate with our ticket sales and community support and they wanted to give something back."

Other shows scheduled for the year include: 

Theatre

"I Hate Shakespeare!" : TSA Attic Theater, 7 p.m. Nov. 14-15.

"Reckless": Toledo Repertoire's 10th Street Theater, 7 p.m. Feb. 6- 8; 2:30 p.m. Feb 9.

Acting Solo Showcase: TSA Attic Theater, 7 p.m. May 29.

Dance

Junior Division Dance: Maumee Indoor Theater, 7 p.m. Dec. 17.

Xhibit Glow: Valentine Theatre, 7 p.m. March 26.

Music

MACCM Young Composers' Concert: Bryan Recital Hall at BGSU, 10:30 a.m. Oct. 19.

Guitar Studio Concert: Flying Pig Cafe, 7 p.m. Oct. 29.

Beginning Music Ensembles: TSA Attic Thearter, 7 p.m.  Dec. 9.

Exhibitions

Junior and Senior Art Exhibition - Gallery on Third, Open Nov. 1 during First Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays.

TSA Celebrates Multiculturalism: Gallery on Third, Open Dec. 6 during First Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays.

Black History Month: Gallery on Third,  Opens Feb. 7 during First Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays.

Kaleidoscope Art: Valentine Theatre, 6 p.m. May 16; 1 and 6 p.m. May 17.

Special Events

Songs for Our Sister: Toledo Club, 4 p.m. Oct. 13.

Studio Scramble: TSA, 7 p.m. Oct. 22.

Steppin' Out: The Funky Shoe Event of the Season: The Park Inn by Radisson, 6 p.m. March 8.

Guitarfest: TSA, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26.

For a complete schedule, visit ts4arts.org.

Contact RoNeisha Mullen at: rmullen@theblade.com or 419-724-6133.