In-School Workshops

Want to explore acting exercises with your students?

Learn about set or sound design?

Find out about theatre movement or fight choreography?

Dive into the text through improvisation and writing?

Prime Stage now offers in-school workshops to meet your needs. Prime Stage artists come to your classroom to show and teach their craft. Topics are tailored to each individual show and are subject to availability.

“Read-Discover”

Motivate your students to read fluently and dynamically!

The Prime Stage “Read-Discover” Program is designed to help teachers transform their reluctant, struggling an and gifted adolescents into students who can read, will read, and find value and enjoyment in reading literature. 

Your students will:

• Discover new ways of reading to quickly comprehend, connect to, and enjoy literature

• Read dynamically and fluently by using punctuation, key words, and conflicts 

• Create “plays in their minds” of the action and images in text

• Critically and creatively respond to literature.

As a teacher, you will:

• Observe quick strategies that improve comprehension, fluency and enjoyment of reading

• Use theatre-based exercises and methods to improve your effectiveness for teaching reading

• Connect with a local resource for theatre-based literacy strategies and experiences.

What you receive through participation in the “Read-Discover” Program:

• An in-class, seated reading presentation of literature by two local actors

• A resource packet of strategies, standards, and materials used in the presentation

• Access to an on-line resource of theatre-based lesson plans and best practices

• Complimentary tickets to a theatrical performance of literature by Prime Stage discounted ticket to a Professional Development workshop by Prime Stage.

What does a presentation look like?

Each presentation is designed to fit within your class period in your classroom. The presentation can be on a work of literature you are currently reading in class, one that will be coming up, or one that Prime Stage is presenting. The literature can be novels, short stories, non-fiction, or plays.

In the classroom, two actors do an activity to introduce themselves and the story, and then bring the selected excerpts to life by using specific strategies that stimulate comprehension and enthusiasm.

Following the presentation, the actors share how easily the methods can be used. Students and the teacher are invited to read an excerpt with the actors. Their accomplishments are celebrated in the classroom. The presentation closes with questions from the students and teacher. Teachers receive a Resource Guide with the strategies and links to additional resources.

While it’s preferable for the classroom to be set up with students sitting in a half circle, the traditional classroom set up can work. We ask that the teacher has the students wear a nametag or post their names on the desks so the actors can communicate easily with them.

How do I prepare for a presentation?
You are asked to let Prime Stage know what work of literature you and your students are reading within two weeks before the date of the visit. Also let us know the number of students in the classroom and the number of presentations requested.

What is the cost of a classroom presentation?
Each classroom presentation by two actors that are designed specifically to meet the needs and interests of your students is only $300 for a 45 to 60 minute program that fits within your class time.

How do I book a presentation?Y
You can complete the enclosed form or contact the Prime Stage Education Director, Monica Stephenson at mstephenson@primestage.com.

Our Education Programs are funded in part by:

The Grable Foundation, PNC Charitable Trust, State Farm and Equitable Gas

You can support our education programs and make sure students see theatre and read - click here.

Prime Stage Theatre is eligible to receive EITC Funding.