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The Vineyard is committed to serving local students by providing vital programming, affording them creative and professional opportunities, and forging meaningful relationships within the community. Building on our long-standing relationship with Washington Irving High School, we offer a series of arts-in-education initiatives that center around both our season of plays and a year-round curriculum designed to integrate the arts into the students’ academic and social lives.

The Vineyard's goal for its educational outreach program is to empower students to take ownership of theatre as a forum for gaining knowledge and expressing ideas and to help them explore theatre as a viable career path.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

· Mainstage Performance Study Program, which includes pre-show in-class workshops, free attendance to the Vineyard’s productions, and post-show talkback sessions with our artists.

“I really enjoyed the workshops with the cast of [title of show]. It was so surreal to meet them and then perform a number from the musical. That was a highlight I will never forget.” - Fallon Garner, high school junior

“Having workshops before the show helps me get an understanding of what the show is going to be about. The idea of the show sparks up new ideas and opinions in me.” - Anonymous student

· Theatre Boot Camps, which include hands-on activities for students with leading professionals in the field.

“The mime and mask workshops at the Boot Camp were very helpful to my acting (you have to think quick about what you should create).” - Anonymous student

“I like that real professionals came and shared their work with me. Thank you, Vineyard Theatre!” - Ryan Hinton, high school senior

· After-school Theatre Program, which offers weekly instruction on different aspects of the theatre-making process.

“I had a lot of fun!!! I especially liked having the opportunity to perform at the Vineyard Theatre and at the school.” - Anastasiya Panas, high school junior

· Internship Program, through which the Vineyard hosts student interns for the entire season and the summer.

"I’m really glad to have the opportunity to see the inner workings of a show. I’m learning plenty about what happens behind the scenes of a production, both with the actors as well as the people who make it all happen. I’m very thankful!” - Nancy Castro, high school junior

Our commitment to producing groundbreaking theatre pieces offers us an opportunity to challenge students and teachers with important issues and to interact with thought-provoking artists. We have always found that students excel when we set high expectations for them, and we pride ourselves in results that have been positive both for the students and the Vineyard artists. Paula Vogel, Joe Morton, Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros, Robin Goldwasser, Derek McLane, Kirsten Childs, Grant Shaud, Duane Boutte, and most recently, the entire cast of our critically acclaimed [title of show], are among the many artists who have worked with local students.

ABOUT WASHINGTON IRVING HIGH SCHOOL
WIHS is a New York City public magnet school that draws students from all five boroughs of the city. The student body is separated into houses of concentration, and the Vineyard has been working with the Performing Arts House since its inception. At WIHS, approximately 60% of the students are Latino and 30% of students are African-American. More than 73% of WIHS students qualify for free lunch, and 24% of the students speak English as their second language. Through its collaboration with WIHS, the Vineyard is able to reach out to a broad range of students and potential young audience members who otherwise would not have the opportunity to experience live theatre, especially on a regular basis. Their interaction with the Vineyard's artists is invaluable.

To find out more about the Vineyard Theatre's Arts-In-Education program and how you can help, please contact Gad at 212-353-3366 ext. 255 or at gguterman@vineyardtheatre.org