On a field trip to the theatre, students gain valuable social skills and learn theatre etiquette. Seeing a play with the Target Young Audiences Program (YAP) does this and more. Teachers attend a half-day conference on the play – covering content and production values – and take valuable experience and Discovery Guides back to the classroom.
Our Target Young Audiences Program has ended for the 2008-2009 season. We have taken quite a journey this year – traveling from Spring Awakening, to The School of Night, to Taking Over, Pippin, Frost/Nixon and finally Ain’t Misbehavin’. While these plays differed widely in style, time period and genre, certain themes kept appearing: the need for truth and authenticity, the need for our stories to be told, the need for the voiceless to be given voice and the invisible made visible; ideas both universal and deeply personal.
In post-show discussions with our high school audiences we explored being a teenager in Spring Awakening, the role of the artist in The School of Night, neighborhood change in Taking Over and the need for apology in Frost/Nixon. Our middle school audiences reflected upon their own “corner of the sky” in Pippin and shared why humans need music in our lives following Ain’t Misbehavin’. We also had the great pleasure of sharing Darwin with elementary schools and families as part of DouglasPlus, and with our audience, discovered the power of compassion and creativity.
At all the shows, the students had the great pleasure of meeting some of the artists involved. Questions ranged from inquiries about the artists’ training and background to curiosity about the themes in the plays. The artists were so generous – sharing both their art and their passion with our young audience members.
Ain’t Misbehavin’
On Thursday, April 30, the Ahmanson Theatre roared to life with 1500 middle and high school students. They laughed, cheered, clapped in time and danced in their seats. After the show, we asked students: Why do human beings need music in their lives? This is what they said:
• Music speaks for us. It can sometimes say things better than we can.
• It keeps us going during the dark times.
• Music shows who we really are.
• Without music what would we dance to?
Pippin
On February 18 – 20, 2009, over 1500 students, including nearly 500 deaf and hard of hearing students, saw the Center Theatre Group/Deaf West Theatre co-production of Pippin. Here is what some of the students had to say about the experience:
“The play and you guys inspired me so much. I am trying to learn Sign Language. I already know how to spell my name! I hope that I can do something like that one day because that play was awesome.” – Alyse
“…rather than sit in a boring classroom and have a teacher talk about some issues we face as we grow up, you all showed us in a play. I feel this was a great life lesson and I wish more kids [could] experience Pippin.” – Stepan A.
“Thank you for showing us that no matter who you are and what road you take in life, eventually you will find your corner of the sky.” – Emily L.
Requirements: Open to all schools on a first come, first served basis. All teachers are required to attend the educational conference prior to the performance (see dates above).
Fees: Enrollment is $50 for each 30 students, up to 150 students. Enrollment fees defray development costs for the educational materials and conference—theatre tickets are free.
Can't find what you want?
Center Theatre Group offers more flexible dates and a wider selection of productions through its Group Services office. Teachers can arrange for a group of 15 or more students to attend shows at discounted rates.
With an extensive selection of plays and performance dates, this option is suitable for teachers who cannot attend the educational workshops. Teachers can still enrich classroom learning and the theatre-going experience with P.L.A.Y.’s Discovery Guides. Download them for free!
Support for the Young Audiences Program is provided by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
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Photo Credit
Joe Hernandez-Kolski and choreographer Jacques Heim in rehearsals for "The Stones."
Photo by Craig Schwartz.
Inset Photo Credit
L to R: Chastity Dotson and Julanne Chidi Hill in "Flight."
Photo by Craig Schwartz.
Justin Huen in rehearsals for "The Stones."
Photo by Craig Schwartz.
