Expanding STC Education

by Dat Ngo

What is the purpose of an education department at a not-for-profit theatre?

a. Foster the next generation of theatre audiences, artists and professionals

b. Engage audiences in meaningful dialogue and experiences with mainstage artists, scholars and educators

c. Provide young artists with an outlet for creative exploration and expression

d. All of the above

If you’re the Education Department of the Shakespeare Theatre Company, it’s all of the above and much more.

Participants rave about the caliber of artists and scholars who form the backbone of STC’s education programs. Under the leadership of STC’s new director of education, Samantha K. Wyer, we will continue to offer and expand a variety of programs that best serve participants’ interests, needs and goals.

“We hope to expand the opportunities to deepen our audiences’ connection to the work on our stages as well as continue to provide a bridge to the incredibly bold classics with new audiences,” says Chris Jennings, managing director.

Whether you’re a theatre enthusiast or a practicing theatre artist, a business professional or high school sophomore, there will always be a program for you at Shakespeare Theatre Company.

“The greater D.C. area needs to know the full range of classes that are available to them here at STC,” says Andrew Long, a veteran of STC’s mainstage and an affiliated teaching artist since 1999.

Seeking to make Shakespeare and classical theatre exciting both on and off the stage, STC has developed over the years more than a dozen educational programs to reach an ever-expanding base of diverse constituents with a vast array of needs. Serving thousands of participants annually, these programs include:

• The SHAKESPEARIENCE student matinee program, which brings thousands of students from all over the greater metropolitan area to see live performances at Sidney Harman Hall and the Lansburgh Theatre.
• Text Alive! and other innovative in-school residencies empower thousands of students in the District and its surrounding suburbs to perform Shakespeare’s work on our stages.
• Master Acting Classes and Camp Shakespeare provide multiple opportunities for adults, teens and young people to study and train in classical theatre under the guidance of working professionals, award winning artists and veterans of the STC mainstage.
• Fun, interactive and challenging professional development workshops and intensives for classroom teachers and business professionals that provide acting-based strategies and techniques for application outside of the theatre.
• Audience enrichment programs such as Windows, Classics in Context and Symposia Series give opportunities to discuss Shakespeare Theatre Company productions with cast members, renowned scholars and visiting artists.
• Year-long, professional internships and fellowships in artistic, production and administrative roles that prepare a whole new generation of artists and professionals for successful careers.

Want to learn more about our education programs or add to this conversation? Visit us online or email us.