Chicago’s Got Talent: CPS Students Take Center Stage at Free RE·VER·BER·ATE Festival

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CHICAGO - The Chicago Cultural Center has turned into a student arts hub as Chicago Public Schools (CPS) launches RE·VER·BER·ATE, a free, four-day arts festival celebrating creativity from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The annual event started today and brings together more than 1,400 students for a dynamic showcase spanning dance, music, theater and visual arts, transforming the city into a vibrant stage for emerging talent.

"Arts education is where students find their voice, tell their stories and connect with one another in powerful ways," said CPS' Interim CEO/Superintendent Dr. Macquline King. "RE·VER·BER·ATE reflects the energy, diversity and imagination of our students, and it's an open invitation for the entire Chicago community to experience the incredible work happening in our schools."

The four-day event, which runs from May 5 through May 8, has extensive and immersive programming that includes exhibitions, performances, workshops, masterclasses, and academic and professional collaboration opportunities. Partnering with the Chicago Cultural Center and the Design Museum of Chicago, RE·VER·BER·ATE serves as a testament to what happens when students, teachers, and arts professionals of Chicago come together to create a truly unique event for CPS artists.

"These students are thinking critically, collaborating and shaping new ways to see the world through their work," said CPS Executive Director of Arts Education César Torruella. "Over the past decade, our District has made a sustained commitment to expanding access to high-quality arts education by growing programs, strengthening partnerships and ensuring more students can participate in every discipline. RE·VER·BER·ATE is a reflection of that progress and a powerful celebration of the skill, vision and voice our students bring to the arts."

It is the fourth year for RE·VER·BER·ATE, which is held annually in the spring. The festival brings together students, teachers and professional artists across Chicago to lift up youth expression, draw attention to emerging artists, and highlight the vibrancy of the city's cultural landscape.

This year's lineup includes Owen Scholastic Academy, which is taking the stage at the festival for the fourth year to showcase a rock band performance, concert choir, a solo pianist, and a dance duet.

"It's entirely student-led. They choose the songs and what instruments they want to study," said Zanneta Kubajak, who leads the music program at Owen, adding that the program has fostered significant student development. One long-time student has grown in charisma and confidence, while another progressed from playing nothing to pushing out renditions of Beethoven.

The philosophy is "student voice, student choice," with the learners choosing their own style from the classics to more modern tunes. On Tuesday, Owen's student rock band gave their performance of the hit song, Die with a Smile by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.

"These students deserve the chance to perform for their peers and the community," Kubajak said. "I love watching them grow and come out of their shells to become amazing performers."

The full line-up for this week's festival is available on the RE·VER·BER·ATE website. The many events happening include:

Arts Fair

The Arts Fair gives attendees the opportunity to explore interactive activities from local arts organizations and partners of the festival. This is a great opportunity to connect with creatives, try something new, and learn about more opportunities and resources rooted in Chicago. Participants include:

• 2nd Story
• After School Matters
• Art In Motion
• Arts + Public Life
• Bollywood & Culture Groove
• Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education
• Chicago Children's Theatre
• Chicago Public Library
• Columbia College Chicago Photo Club @columphotoclub
• Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)
• Gerber/Hart Library & Archives
• Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
• Illustration Student Group CCC
• Merit School of Music
• Northeastern University
• PCCCArts
• The Chicago High School for the Arts
• The Chicago Mosaic School
• Urban Growers Collective
• VanderCook College of Music
• We Rock! Chicago

Workshops

Workshops are 50-minute, pre-scheduled creative experiences led by professional artists. The hands-on workshops include: jewelry making, song writing, shadow puppets, improv, audition prep, painting, hip hop, video game music, and devising theatre.

Upcycled Garments | Paper to Fashion

Turn newspapers and magazines into wearable art! Working in small groups, participants will transform 2D materials into creative paper fashions using folding, cutting, and layering techniques. The workshop ends with a mini fashion show to celebrate designs and creativity.

Collograph | Printmaking

Design and create relief print using upcycled materials! Students will receive a brief intro to printmaking, make a printing plate with textures and patterns, and print an edition of three. They can trade one, leave one behind, and take their favorite home.

Creative Collaging

Inspired by LA Visual Artist Vakseen, who uses collage as a source material for his realistic paintings, participants create an abstract portrait using magazine cutouts and geometric shapes.They can start with a colored background, collect faces, and play with juxtaposition alongside CPS teaching artist Wendie Bloxsom.

Poetry Slam

In this workshop, students will read poems by Chicago writers past and present, break down their techniques, and try them in their own work. They then share their poems with the group, give each other feedback, and collaborate on a group poem to perform together.

Dance Workshops with Old Town Folk Music

Get moving with Chicago's iconic dance styles! In this workshop, expert instructor Marchello Lee will introduce participants to house music, breaking, and stepping culture through group dance and movement practice. Students build skills, learn the history, and connect with these powerful art forms that shape our city.

Improv Workshops with Chicago Children's Theater

Take the stage as a collaborative and confident performer! In this improvisational theatre workshop, participants explore the basics of improv through theatre games and ensemble work.

Songwriting Open Jam with Columbia College Chicago

Join Emcee Andre Daniels from Columbia College Chicago and his "Songwriting 1" class as they present original music. Participants can bring a song they've written that they'd like to perform, or learn more on how to workshop one based on their ideas.