The Annenberg Middle School Program is designed to provide unique educational opportunities that expand students’ knowledge and appreciation of live theatre. Students and teachers have deepening encounters with plays and arts education, culminating with the performance of student writings.
The Annenberg Middle School Program has created a partnership between Center Theatre Group and 5 middle schools to provide unique education opportunities that deepen the knowledge of theatre, develop creative and critical writing skills and explore age-appropriate issues. Toward these goals, P.L.A.Y. and partner schools together do the following:
- Bring students to two theatrical productions a year
- Create a sequential curriculum in theatre and English to connect seeing plays to the acquisition of skills and to enrich the theatre-going experience
- Train/mentor teachers to integrate this theatre curriculum into their classes
Center Theatre Group and P.L.A.Y. hope the Annenberg Middle School Program can serve as a working model for other professionals seeking to develop similar youth theatre experiences.
Dissemination of Findings
On Saturday, May 12, 2007, P.L.A.Y. hosted a local conference of theatre professionals, arts educators and members of the philanthropic community to share the results of the Annenberg Middle School Program. Results were also disseminated at the ASSITEJ-USA One Theatre World 2007 Conference on May 31, and via a panel discussion at the Theatre Communications Group Artistry in a New Century National Conference on June 7, both in Minneapolis, MN.
Support for the Annenberg Middle School Program is provided by the Annenberg Foundation.
Main Photo Credit
Joe Hernandez-Kolski and choreographer Jacques Heim in rehearsals for "The Stones."
Photo by Craig Schwartz.
Inset Photo Credit
Justin Huen in rehearsals for "The Stones."
Photo by Craig Schwartz.
