The cost of sixty copies of Irving Shulman's West Side Story is $451, including shipping and <a target="new" href="http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm" onclick="g_openWindow('http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm', 300, 800, 'fulfillwindow');return false;">fulfillment</a>.
I teach at a school located in the heart of the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, New York that was recently designated a School for The Arts based on its transformation from a School in Need of Improvement to a Mentoring program in the Arts (where teachers from around the city come to train).
Our independent play writing program now needs resource materials to continue its improvement by permitting review and discussion of various playwriting techniques and styles and, at the same time, further promoting reading skills. This year's emphasis will be on the classic Romeo & Juliet and its modern-day counterpart, West Side Story.
Our staff will use the plays to support and augment a story and playwriting program that was built upon a storytelling program started 7 years ago. Portions of the original 5-year grant from the Center for Arts Education were picked up by a 21st Century grant which has created several new educational directions, such as independent playwriting. Today, students take one of the student-written stories and make it into a play that is scripted and produced by the students themselves with minimal guidance from a professional playwright. In developing their play (which then becomes the school's Year End show), students learn stage techniques in lighting, positioning, voice, costuming, set design and presentation. Last year, students incorporated dance and our Djembe Orchestra into the Year End showcase with their play as the nucleus. This made the year end production a truly school-wide project.
Through a donation, we have already secured 60 copies of Romeo & Juliet, but require 60 copies of West Side Story to complete the intended program that will cover the entire 7th grade class (118 students). These texts, recommended reading for this grade level, will allow intensive discussion and targeted learning of the many playwriting techniques used in these collateral works.
Thank you.
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