Education

Theatre West's education programs seek to serve the community by presenting quality theater for younger audiences and using theater skills to present positive and stimulating educational programs that meet California Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) standards.

The in-school theatre education program is designed to introduce pre-school and elementary school age children to different aspects of drama including characterization, emotional expression, understanding story, voice projection and enunciation, body language, and awareness. Through theater games, children learn the importance of teamwork and working together. Their involvement in the arts helps build confidence. They learn basic stage vocabulary, team-building, improve their creativity and use of their imagination, and develop greater empathy and socio-emotional learning.

The program is a 12-week residency with one teaching artist 30 to 60 minutes per week. Theatre West's education programs include:

• adapting classic stories and fairy tales into non-threatening plays and musicals that contain messages and lessons for young audiences
• presenting these adaptations as fully staged productions at Theatre West
• bringing young audiences to these productions from across Los Angeles, even providing transportation from underserved areas when possible
• partnering with schools to bring theatre teaching artists for a 12-week residency into the classroom to use theater as vehicles for teaching storytelling, drama, reading, English, and language
• skills and to teach about theater in accordance with visual and performing arts

This program empowers children by improving their self-esteem and self-confidence while giving them a healthy outlet to express themselves in a safe environment. They also are exposed to world dramatic literature by studying the play The Strongest One by Joseph Bruchac based on a Zuni (indigenous) folk story. The themes of this story resonate as the students learn about the interconnectivity of life through cause and effect in this fun and clever play. It also brings to the fore representation and perspective by BIPOC artists.

All programs are age appropriate for pre-school to elementary school. At one of our former partner schools, Selma Avenue Elementary School in Hollywood, former principal Dr. Michelle Windmuller, described the impact the program as follows:

“Theatre West has been life-changing for our children. I mean that, literally. We have 89% English Language Learners, and over 90% are Title 1. Because of your theatre programs, these children have a renewed sense that someone cares about them, and because of that, they value themselves again. Truancy is down, scores went up in standardized tests….the children are more engaged and excited about working with you.” - Dr. Michelle Windmuller

Plus, there is also an additional option for a field-trip to see one of Theatre West’s Storybook shows. Storybook Theatre is a program at Theatre West that has won numerous awards and recognition by the City, County, State, and US Senate and House of Representatives.

• Adapting classic stories and fairy tales into non-threatening plays and musicals that contain messages and lessons for young audiences
• Presenting these adaptations as fully staged productions at Theatre West
• Bringing young audiences to these productions from across Los Angeles, even providing transportation from underserved areas when possible
• Partnering with schools to bring theatre teaching artists for a 12-week residency into the classroom to use theater as vehicles for teaching storytelling, drama, reading, English, and language skills and to teach about theater in accordance with visual and performing arts