Prime Stage Theatre - Matinee Feedback

The Prime Stage Theatre Adopt-a-School Program is designed to help teachers in underserved districts of our region transform their reluctant and struggling adolescent students into students who can read, are motivated, find value and enjoyment in a variety of literature.

By the end of the program, students will be able to:

Discover new ways of enjoying literature and theatre
Ask and address questions to peers and adults preceding and following each book and production
Critically and creatively respond to what were unfamiliar works of literature and their supporting productions
Comprehend, visualize, and connect to stories and elements within stories read and seen " Apply their improved skills of reading and responding to works of literature and the theatre
Make personal decisions to read and use more literature on their own

By the end of the program, teachers will be able to:

Observe and assess alternative classroom strategies to effectively address adolescent literacy
Co-lead, design, and test these theatre-based classroom strategies in their own classrooms
Closely monitor their students' progress throughout the program and beyond
Effectively prepare, monitor, and stimulate proper theatre etiquette behavior for all arts events.

Criteria for eligible schools:

Up to two teachers and 50 students from a middle or high school from the Western Pennsylvania area
Statement of need for literacy resources and enrichment and minimal opportunities to include multiple arts and theatre programs in the curriculum.
PSSA Reading scores that need improvement
Stated need to improve their students' reading proficiency levels from the administration.
An agreement to implement the literature, the interventions, and the field trips as designed for a period of two years.

What schools receive through participation in the Adopt-a-School Program:

Books, materials and supplies to participating teachers and students.
Access to our Education Social Network website.
Ten in-school experiences which utilize authentic, alternative classroom strategies
Complimentary tickets to three quality theatrical performances of the literature by Prime Stage
Interactive Professional Development opportunities which address teachers' challenges in the classroom.
Published findings from the program in national theatre and education journals.

Would you like your school to be a part of the Adopt-a-School Program? You've completed the first step by reading about our program! Next, contact the Education Director at aherzog@primestage.com or mail a letter of inquiry to:

Prime Stage Theatre
PO Box 99446
Pittsburgh, PA 15233

The Education Director will get back to you within one month to discuss the Adopt-a-School Program at your school.

Participating schools and districts include:

Keystone Oaks School District
The Wilkinsburg School District
Sto-Rox in McKees Rocks
Pittsburgh Lincoln K-8
Pittsburgh King Pre K-8 Accelerated Learning Academy
Pittsburgh Schaeffer K-8 in Crafton

Comments from participating teachers and students:

"I would like to say that this partnership with Prime Stage has been invaluable for my students who have come from other countries and for whom English is not their first language. They have beginning reading skills, but seeing the play as well makes the literature comprehensible to them and increases their confidence in their reading ability.

Many of these students also have NEVER seen professional live theatre since they came from refugee camps with thatched huts and no electricity or running water. I think that this is a wonderful way to introduce young people to American theatre and culture.

In my classes, the students often come from many different religions. We were able to discuss how the different religions view death and the afterworld when we read Tuesdays with Morrie. Students found out that they have more in common than they have differences.

Thank you again for giving the children this opportunity!"

(Keystone Oaks School District, 2010)

"Words cannot express the thanks I have for Prime Stage to make literature come alive for my students. Because of the Adopt-a-School Program, my students progressed with their reading. Tests scores continue to improve on the PSSA, 4Sight, and Curriculum Benchmark Exams based on the skills that are incorporated into pre- and post lessons of each play studied. These experiences give me the opportunity to teach a novel or piece of drama in another way that has not been done before"

(Pittsburgh Lincoln, 2009)

"The teens enjoyed the play; they have never been to a play before. They especially enjoyed the "chat session" with the director and the actors. What a rewarding time. Thank you for making this possible"

(Bradley Center, 2009)

"Today I attended a student matinee of 'The Westing Game' with 200 sixth grade students from Jefferson Middle School. The play was magnificent and well received by students and adults! I do not know of any other theater organization that goes to such lengths to accommodate and educate"

(Jefferson Middle School, 2009)

"The entire play helped me understand the book better. Once I saw the actors, it put so much more life into the story. It was a lot more meaningful and dramatic"

(Student)

"Parts of the book were confusing when I had to read it, but when I saw it the characters became alive and I now can understand why they did what they did"

(Student)

Adopt-A-School Sponsor
The EQT Corporation is proud to sponsor the Adopt-A-School Program at Prime Stage.
Learn more about Equitable Resources Help support our education programs - click here

Adopt-A-School Sponsor