New Miami math teacher gets bitten by the theater bug

District to perform 'School House Rock Live' for second annual musical.

Staff photo by Samantha Grier Students at New Miami School rehearse for a performance of “School House Rock Live." The second annual musical will feature the signature songs “Interplanet Janet,” “Just A Bill,” “Unpack Your Adjectives” and the ever-popular “Conjunction Junction.” Performances will be 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 12-13, at New Miami School, 600 Seven Mile Ave. Tickets are $5 at the door.

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By Richard O Jones, Staff Writer 10:42 PM Tuesday, March 9, 2010

NEW MIAMI — In celebration of New Miami’s STEM grant that allowed the district to outfit the entire building with the latest educational technology, performing arts teacher Ben Schneider chose “School House Rock Live” as their second annual musical.

Because none of his students had ever seen any of the vintage Saturday morning cartoons that inspired the musical, the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) stuff came in handy because he was able to look them up on YouTube.

“It was really funny to watch them watch the videos,” Schneider said. “At first, they thought the cartoons were really corny, but once they started getting into the music, they had a better appreciation for it.”

Schneider is directing a “junior” version of the stage musical, trimmed from a two-act show to about an hour’s entertainment, but still featuring some of the signature songs, “Interplanet Janet,” “Just A Bill,” “Unpack Your Adjectives” and the ever-popular “Conjunction Junction.”

Performances will be 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 12-13, at New Miami School, 600 Seven Mile Ave. Tickets are $5 at the door.

High school math teacher Adam Jacob makes his stage debut as Tom, the teacher who’s nervous about his first day of school but gets reassurances from a cast of cartoon characters, played by New Miami students in the fifth grade and older, who tell him he’s going to be a great teacher.

Jacob said that Schneider recruited him after seeing a video of him on — where else? — YouTube.

“I am involved in a ministry called Young Life and we put some silly videos on YouTube, one where I did a beat box and another where we did a ‘Chimpmunks’ thing, speeding up a song.”

Jacob said that being on stage, however, is “a humbling experience” and a lot more intimidating than making videos.

“These kids can sing and act and dance, and I can barely memorize my lines,” he said.

Nevertheless, he’s having so much fun that he confesses he’s been bitten by the theater bug.

“I told Ben after the first rehearsal that if he ever needs help in the future, to just let me know,” Jacob said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2188 or rjones@coxohio.com.

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Who ever said Ben is a joke is jealous as hell. Grow up already. It's funny how people portray themselves on-line and in real life there little nobodies. I am in no means trying to "stir the pot" but as someone who knows Ben, there's no room for negative comments anywhere. Be positive, live YOUR life, worry about YOUR life. For me, I love haters, because they waste their life talking crap about the pople that worry about doing better for themselves. Great Job Ben! Keep up the good work!

C
7:27 PM, 3/12/2010

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Mr. Jacob is going to be amazing in this play. I really wish I could make it to New Miami to see. I bet that on his first day he was already a great teacher.

Josh
2:34 PM, 3/12/2010

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My son is an open enrollment student at New Miami and this is one of the many reasons I choose to send him there. It is nice to see how Mr. Schneider along with many other teachers and administrators in the district take an interest in the kids. Thanks to Mr. Schneider, Mrs. Cook, Mr. Jacob, Mrs. Daniels, and Mrs. Schuckman for all of your time and dedication to make this an enjoyable experience for my son Austin and all of the other students in the musical. You all help make NMS the BEST!!!

Proud to be Austin's Mom
4:54 PM, 3/11/2010

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Way to go, Ben Schneider, Music Man! You are awesome and everyone at New Miami knows it. Those who don't are blind! It's not every day that children are given some new and different opportunities to broaden their horizons. Thanks for making that happen at NMS.

I have a child that is a former student at New Miami...the thing she misses the most is music class. We will be there to watch another awesome performance.

Lisa
9:35 AM, 3/10/2010

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I am in the musical and i know ben. He is not a joke. He has brought great things to this school. All the students have wanted to do something fun and not stand on risors and sing stupid songs and this is his way of making it fun. I was in annie last year too. You must not know him to think he is a joke.

alexis
9:13 AM, 3/10/2010

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