Lakeview Elementary is fortunate to have a local world-class performing arts center partnering with us in the education of our students. The Highland Center for the Arts (HCA) in Greensboro has sponsored Lakeview Elementary events such as Cirque Us and an Artist in Residence with No Strings Marionette Company. The HCA also partnered with OSSU in 2023 as the venue for our inaugural OSSU Art in Bloom fine and performing arts showcase.

In March 2022, Barbara Paulson, a puppet maker, marionette puppeteer, and teaching artist joined us as an artist in residence for a multi-day experience. One half of No Strings Marionette Company, based in Randolph Vermont, Barbara and her partner Dan Baginski have created original puppet performances to the delight of audiences for twenty plus years. Bravery, flexibility, grit, and joy are essential to her creative process. She encourages students to fearlessly examine the cycle of creation and revision as they make meaningful connections to original and inspired work. Lakeview’s students had a chance to make puppets at school, and further explore many facets of puppetry with an Interactive Puppet Immersion at the Highland Center for the Arts later that week.

In April 2023, Lakeview students were delighted by Cirque Us, a Boston based circus entertainment and education company, as they performed One Man’s Trash at the Highland Center for the Arts. This performance was the culmination of a Circus Smirkus Artist in Residence at the school.