Remember Jack, the Magic Beans, and the Giant? Remember how Jack stole the Giant's treasure to feed his poor ole' Ma? Guilty of theft or not guilty? The Big Bad Wolf, guilty of terrorizing Little Pigs and Red Riding Hood? How about the King's horses and men? Guilty of killing Humpty Dumpty? These were the questions put to an audience-jury Friday, May 25 during the end-of-season performance, “Fairy Tales on Trial,” presented by The Bath House Bunch, the students of the Thriving Minds After-school Program at the Bath House Cultural Center.

Mixing equal parts of Mother Goose and “Duck Soup” the play, which was written by lead teacher Kenita Massey, brought familiar characters to the stage: Defendants with their attorneys, witnesses, a cheeky bailiff, and the judge—Mother Goose herself. The audience acted as jury for The Big Bad Wolf, Jack, and all the King's horses and men. During the school year the students, led by their teachers Kineta Massey, Johnny Sequenzia and Rebecca Wells, have integrated the arts, literature, science, drama and the environment into after-school activities.

These youngsters—all 4th through 8th graders— have been engaged, more than most adult patrons, with the art shows at the Bath House Cultural Center. Their art has complemented all the exhibitions in the Bath House galleries. And they have become careful stewards of the Bath House Cultural Center and the parkland and wildlife habitats around it.

The after-school program and the Thriving Minds Summer Camp are made possible through a partnership between Big Thought, Inc. and the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs. The Thriving Minds summer camp session will begin June 4.