Past projects 44
Puppy Mind
Funded Aug 14, 2024Last week, I welcomed Broadway performer George Dvorsky back to the classroom. George met with the first and second graders as part of my Broadway Books First Class program. He is an old friend to the second graders (he visited with them five times in the past) but met with my first graders for the first time. Together, we made magic! It was a visit wrapped in curiosity, kindness, energy, delight, and a few surprises. We learned that George sang in Disney's masterpiece BEAUTY AND THE BEAST! In BELLE, he is the man on the cart singing "Bonjour! How is your family?" We watched the clip and George recreated it for us.
George also read PUPPY MIND by Andrew Jordan Nance. This is a book of mindfulness, which is something we practice everyday. He even led us in taking three deep breaths to help calm our puppy minds. This Donorschoose project ensured that each student took home a copy of the book with a personalized message from George to add to their personal libraries. For some students, the books given through my Broadway Books First Class program are the only books they own. I thank you for supporting this work.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Wellbrock
This classroom project was brought to life by The Gates Foundation and 3 other donors.Broadway Star reads Aaron Slater Illustrator
Funded Mar 31, 2025We did it! This project was fully funded in less than a day and that tells me two things: I have amazing friends who generously support the work I do with my Broadway Books First Class program and there is an unwavering belief in the magic of storytelling. This visit with Broadway star Claybourne Elder is going to be magical! Thank you.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Wellbrock
Richard Thomas reads Fantastic Flying Books
Funded Sep 18, 2024Thank you for supporting this project! I am really excited to welcome Richard Thomas as a guest artist with Broadway Books First Class. There is so much to explore with the students about his work. I'm sure that it will lead to some interesting conversations. He is reading one of my favorite children's books. The book is a beautiful depiction of the importance of words and stories in our lives. I look forward to sharing more with you after his visit.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Wellbrock
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community & an Anonymous Partner and 5 other donors.Gravity Is Bringing Me Down
Funded Mar 14, 2024Thank you for your incredibly generous donation and show of support for literacy and the arts through my Broadway Books First Class program. The first graders were looking forward meeting three time Tony Award nominee Mary Testa. We spent a couple of weeks learning about her career and planning for her visit.
Unfortunately, I had to reschedule her initial visit until the end of June. Then, Mary was offered an exciting project and we had to postpone her visit until this Fall. The good news is this project will now reach more students. My first graders will enter second grade in the Fall, but they will join my new class of first graders to visit with Mary Testa.
In the meanwhile, the books you purchased are stored safely and are ready to share once we schedule a new date for Mary's visit.
I will share photos and stories about Mary's visit and her reading of GRAVITY IS BRINGING ME DOWN on my website broadwaybooksfirstclass.com and on the Broadway Books First Class instagram page.
I apologize for the delay in executing this project. Sometimes, life get in the way of our plans. But, it will take place and will, perhaps, be all the sweeter for the wait.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Wellbrock
Because...Composing a Symphony of Chance, Discovery, Persistence, and Magic
Funded Mar 21, 2024My first grade class of 17 students welcomed Robert Ariza last week. The visits are anchored by the children's books, which provide a theme and focus to our conversations. For Robert's visit, we selected the book BECAUSE by Mo Willems and Amber Ren. This book highlights the dedication, perseverance, and hard work that goes into pursuing a dream and becoming a success in the arts. The story parallels Robert's personal history. My young students were inspired by the spirit of creation and shared their own artistic passions.
Your generous donation made it possible for each student to take home a copy of the book. I believe the excitement and connection to meaningful texts is important for young children. I've witnessed increased motivation to read and discuss these books with peers and family members.
The objective of Broadway Books First Class is to build knowledge of the arts and promote all aspects of literacy. I thank you for helping me achieve that goal.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Wellbrock
The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh
Funded Jan 14, 2024This week I welcomed Keshav Moodliar as a guest artist with my program Broadway Books First Class http://www.broadwaybooksfirstclass.com/home.html
Last fall, I saw Keshav perform in a production of Gingold Theatrical Group's Shaw play ARMS AND THE MAN. I was impressed with his performance and learned a bit more about him (Juilliard graduate, born in India, performances in Shakespeare and Shaw plays as well as new works) and reached out to him. He responded immediately to my invitation with warmth and enthusiasm.
We decided on the children's book THE MANY COLORS OF HARPREET SINGH for his read aloud. It is a story about change and friendship. The illustrations are colorful and engaging. Then, the challenging part was purchasing 20 copies of the book so each child could take home a copy with a personalized message from Keshav.
That's where you stepped in and made it happen. THANK YOU! The children were excited to take this book home to read with their families. The books they receive through the program help them curate their own personal libraries. I know, based on student and parent feedback, that the books are treasured by the children. They promote reading and language development in an engaging way.
Your support allows me to continue the vision I have for the program. I am deeply grateful.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Wellbrock
This classroom project was brought to life by Someone who cares about New York City and 3 other donors.B is for BROADWAY
Funded Nov 15, 2023It was a magical afternoon as we welcomed Tony Award Winner, Randy Graff, into our classroom. Randy was as excited as the first grade students! We spent several weeks studying her work (11 Broadway shows including, Grease, City of Angels, Fiddler on the Roof, Class Act, Moon Over Buffalo, and Les Miserables). The children had lots of questions for her, which she thoughtfully answered. They also asked her to sing and she obliged with I DREAMED A DREAM (Randy played Fantine in the original Broadway production of Les Miserables). It was amazing! Randy also gifted us with a one of a kind Fantine doll to keep in the classroom.
Randy read PAMELA'S FIRST MUSICAL by Wendy Wasserstein. It is about the magical experience of seeing your first Broadway show. That book is out of print, so we decided to give the children copies of B IS FOR BROADWAY (thank to your generous donations) as a companion piece to the story. They were excited to see past guest artists Ali Stroker and Mary Testa in the book.
With your support, these visits help children build empathy and an appreciation of the arts and excitement for books and storytelling. Thank you for helping me give these gifts to them. And thank you for believing in the work I do.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Wellbrock
Ocean Meets Sky
Funded Aug 2, 2023Thank you for supporting this work with your generous donation. You have all given so much in the past and continue to lift me up by funding this project. The books you helped purchase for the children are absolutely beautiful and showcase the enduring power of love. I am excited to share them!”
With gratitude,
Dr. Wellbrock
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 3 other donors.Boys Dance!
Funded May 16, 2023"Welcome to Broadway Books First Class". A kindergarten student said this to Jeremy Jordan during his school visit. It was said to let our Tony Award nominated guest artist know that he was now part of our family. And it's true, he is!
Jeremy read BOYS DANCE! by John Robert Allman. Copies of the book were given to each child in grades K, 1, and 3. That was made possible due to your generous donations. I hope the photos give a glimpse of what this visit meant to each of us. Thank you!
During his visit, Jeremy also shared stories, sang, signed over 50 books, and expanded young minds with his openness. It was kind of amazing and a great way to end the school year.”
With gratitude,
Dr. Wellbrock
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Foundation and 5 other donors.Love You Forever
Funded Sep 5, 2022Year Eight of the Broadway Books First Class program kicked off with a visit from actor/singer George Dvorsky. George's charm and heart were on full display as he read the children the sweet (and heartbreaking) book, LOVE YOU FOREVER. He even sang the tender lullaby in the book, which brought tears to the eyes of the adults in the room.
After the reading, George sang for and with the children. It was such a magical time that the children asked George to come back. He responded to the children's requests to return and is planning a second visit soon.
Your kindness and generosity allowed each child to take home a copy of the book signed with a personal message by George. Parents tell me they read the book to their children over and over again by request. The stories live on. The experience lives on. Children are immersed in words, books, and stories because of you. What a gift! Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Dr. Wellbrock