The donor newsletter of Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Issue 5 • Spring / Summer 2017
THE MAGIC OF THEATER At The Rep, we believe the transformative power of theater goes beyond the performances on stage. Our education programs inspire the lives of Milwaukee youth by developing an appreciation for theater and understanding of the arts. These programs are designed to take middle school and high school students beyond the experience of watching a live performance to learning about the art form, connecting it to their school’s curriculum, and developing life skills as they immerse themselves in the magic of theater. Through various programs, Rep Education works to improve three areas: literacy skills, social-emotional learning, and theater appreciation. READING RESIDENCY PROGRAM
High school students participate in a Rep Immersion Day.
Now in its seventh year, this powerful in-school program uses an arts-integrated approach to teach literacy skills by engaging students in classroom activities developed around a specific Rep production. For example, this past fall, students studied Man of La Mancha in the classroom and absorbed key concepts through various methods, including class discussions, dramaturgical research, acting out scenes, and written assignments. “The skills that are developed and used in theater – such as empathy, self-confidence, creative problem-solving, communication and collaboration – can be applied and translated across the rest of their world, in all career pathways and everyday situations,” says Associate Education Director Hope Reed-Johnson. As one Milwaukee Public School (MPS) principal reaffirms, “Our goal for the Reading Residency program is to use drama to support the Common Core Standards in Reading and English/Language Arts. Additionally, the program helps build problem-solving skills, teamwork, and collaborative skills among the students. These are necessary skills for success in career and college.”
Students gather in the Quadracci Powerhouse during their Rep Immersion Day focusing on Man of La Mancha.
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