This is a class drenched in stories. We write stories, read stories, perform stories, direct stories, discuss stories, and if possible, EXPERIENCE stories performed live.
Students here have the rare opportunity to study all aspects of theater for three years in a six course sequence.
Our school is a Title I middle school in Southeast Seattle serving kids in grades 6-8.
The student population is as creative as it is diverse with only 3% of the students identifying as White. Over 82% of our kids qualify for free or reduced-price meals and nearly a quarter of them are English language learners.
In our Advanced Theater class, students learn to collaborate by directing each other in scripted plays and in stories they write themselves. They learn to communicate, problem solve, and think critically. They love to create, sing, dance, and be themselves in a safe and creative environment.
Our students are so eager to learn, to be successful, and to prove they can work just as hard as students at any of the schools in our city. Our school is building a culture of learning and a culture of access with access to advanced content, access to leadership experiences, access to learning outside of the classroom, and access to opportunities historically unavailable to many of our kids.
My Project
With your help, our Advanced Theater students will be able to experience some of the best professional live theater at one of the premiere repertory companies in America: the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Students participating in this study tour to Ashland, Oregon will have the opportunity to see and discuss four plays, attend special workshops and tours, and ultimately take these skills and experiences back to our school to share what they've learned with their peers. They would be able to see two Shakespeare plays (including the first time they've ever seen Much Ado About Nothing!), a world premiere, and the classic American musical Guys and Dolls.
The company members of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival are just as diverse as our students, allowing our kids to meet working professionals in performing arts careers who look like they do.
Having the student leaders in our Advanced Theater class experience some of the best live theater in the country will impact our our school's program for years to come.
They will take the knowledge and skills learned on the study tour back to the program, raising the quality of all of the work we do. The hardworking kids who would go on this trip are passionate about plays and storytelling, and this learning opportunity would be unforgettable.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Stuart and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.