Community Outreach

The Graduate Program in Educational Theatre at The City College of New York utilizes service learning to best prepare candidates for careers as theatre teacher and teaching artist. Community outreach programs include:

Family Arts Engagement

In collaboration, the Applied Theatre, Literacy and the Arts, and Arts Integration classes have worked to develop the Family Arts Engagement series. Family Arts Engagement experiences are 8-10 minute virtual drama lessons and digital theatre experiences to engage families of all ages. 

Spring 2021

• Storytelling
• Foley ‘sound’
• Family Food
• Character Walk
• Juggling
• Mini Musical
• Diphthong crusaders ou ow edition
• The OO Variety Show
• The Mushrooms
• The Lion and the Statue
• Robinita Saves the Neighborhood

After School Drama Program

Collaborating with PS 161 in Harlem, candidates enrolled in EDCE 3700C Fundamentals of Teaching Theatre work alongside their instructor, to direct, choreograph, produce, design and teach a full-scale musical with the 6^th-8^th grade students. Through this partnership middle school students gain self-confidence, learn how to collaborate with peers, and develop theatre skills.

In addition, graduate candidates enrolled in EDCE 3600C Theatre for Youth and Young Audiences create resource guides and facilitate pre show workshops and post show discussions with 3^rd – 5^th grade students.

Past Resource Guides have been for the following productions:

The Jungle Book
Aladdin Kids
Little Mermaid
Lion King

Readings on the Road

Candidates enrolled in EDCE 3600C Theatre for Youth and Young Audiences, develop and perform age appropriate theatre. To supplement the experience candidates develop pre-show lesson workshops, write resource guides, and participate in post show talk back sessions. Performances have been presented throughout the Harlem community including at: PS 161, HELP USA SHELTER, PS 180, and for the Hamilton Heights Parent Association.

Out of My Mind
Fable Talk
Hansel and Gretel
The Princess Who Could Not Cry
Little Red Riding Hood
Busy Bea

Harlem Children's Theatre Festival

Candidates enrolled in EDCE 4400C Arts Integration: Theatre and Related Arts in the Curriculum and EDCE 3600C Theatre for Youth and Young fully produce a community theatre festival for families to come and experience and participate in the joy of theatre. Candidates in the program produce Theatre for Youth and the Very Young while families also enjoy opportunities to build and play with masks and puppets, explore the dress up corner, play musical instruments, participate in sing-a-longs and learn basic theatre skills.

Spring 2016
Spring 2015
Spring 2014

Arts Integration Residency

Candidates enrolled in EDCE 4400C Arts Integration: Theatre and the Related Arts in the Curriculum use drama to teach core content areas or use core content as source material to teach theatre skills, while collaborating with a full time teacher. This residency model is fully implemented in the K-2^nd grade classrooms at PS 161 as well as various other classrooms throughout New York City.

Devising Theatre with the Community

Candidates enrolled in EDCE 7900A Devising Theatre collaborate with community-based organizations to devise original theatre. Partnering organizations have included HELP USA, NYPL and Manhattanville Senior Center. Candidates collaborate with participants and colleagues in class to devise theatre pieces often based on the themes and experiences of their participants.  Participants will gain confidence, works as an ensemble and develop theatre skills.

Summer 2012