Welcome Principals, Teachers, Cultural Enrichment Coordinators and Parents!
The Ridgefield Playhouse, with support from Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation, the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, Newman's Own Foundation, the Philip H. and Christine Lodewick Foundation and Union Savings Bank, is happy to present Arts in Education programming for the 2010/2011 academic year.
The Littlest Pilgrims
Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 10:00am 
Grades 1 – 3, Presented by WestCo Productions
A musical based on the voyage of the first Pilgrims to the new world. Francis and Hester Hopkins are young children afraid to leave their native England but excited to sail on the Mayflower to find a new home. They travel with their father Stephen, mother Elizabeth, and are awaiting the arrival of their baby brother, Oceanus. John Carver is leading the way on the journey to the New World. When the Mayflower finally lands in Plymouth, Massachusetts, we see how the Pilgrims make it through their first year, the struggles and hardships they face, but also the new friendships they form with the Native people of the land. Squanto and the Massasoit tribe help the Pilgrims to learn the ways of the land. The Massasoit teach the Pilgrims how to build their houses, harvest the land, and hunt for food. The Pilgrims, Squanto and the Massasoit Indians form a friendship that we still recognize and celebrate each Thanksgiving holiday.
Curriculum Connections: History, Social Studies, Music, Culture, Language Arts
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
Friday, February 25, 2011 at 10:00am and 1:00pm
A Black History Month Production
Grades 3-8, Presented by Theatre IV
This stirring drama with music is a classic tribute to the great American who freed herself and hundreds of her people from the bonds of slavery. Her courage helped change the world. Share her adventurous life, the joys, sorrows, and challenges faced by this brave woman, with your students in this accurate and deeply moving musical history lesson.
Curriculum Connections: Family Ties, History, Language, Biography, Multi-Cultural, Music, Self-Esteem, Women’s Studies
Click here for study guide
My Heart in a Suitcase
Tuesday, March 2, 2011 at 10:00am and 1:00pm
Grades 4-8, Presented by ArtsPower
 Anne Lehmann and her family no longer feel safe in their Berlin home. Life in Germany is deteriorating quickly; in order to protect their daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Lehmann may have to say goodbye to her forever. Now Anne must struggle to bring meaning out of despair, to cling to love and hope even in a world that seems to be filled with hatred and violence. The result is a gripping and poignant production, a tribute to the strength of the human spirit. ArtsPower hopes to touch the hearts and minds of old and young alike by adapting a survivor’s story, to inspire audiences to read and learn more about the Holocaust by weaving an emotional bond through art. As they show young people what happened in Germany and in other occupied nations prior to and during World War II – and how a heroine survived thanks to her own courage and the generosity of others – ArtsPower will teach them the importance of combating intolerance. The ultimate goal is to motivate children not only to appreciate reading and the theatre but also to love and respect all their fellow human beings.
Curriculum Connections: Family Relationships, Historical, Literature-Based, Values-Based
Click here for study guide
Ellis Island: Gateway to a Dream
Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 10:00am and 1:00pm
Grades 3-8, Presented by American Family Theater
Reflecting the historic realities, excitement, and hopes of Ellis Island, this high-spirited musical captures the courage and challenges of the immigration experience. With wonder, terrific action and heart, this show celebrates the multi-cultural foundations of our nation.
Curriculum Connections: History, Social Studies, Language Arts, Music
This show will also have an essay-writing component.
Click here for study guide
Phenomenal Physics
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 10:00am and 1:00pm
Grades 2-8, Presented by Encore Performing Arts
A renowned circus performer presents astounding tricks that actually have scientific explanations. Using boomerangs, bubbles, bullwhips, balloons and eggs, this program demonstrates velocity, friction, inertia, sonic booms, aerodynamics, arches and more.
Curriculum Connections: Science, Theatre
Click here for study guide
The Arts in Education initiative integrates school curriculum, moral lessons and/or historical perspective through the performing arts. It is our goal to provide students and teachers with a full performing arts experience. Performances are intimate and typically last one hour, with the ability to talk with the performers after the show – a rare and wonderful opportunity for enhanced learning. Study guides are also available, which provide educationally rich lesson for teachers to do with their students before and/or after attending the show.
You may print out the order form which outlines the upcoming performances, corresponding grade levels and dates. This form serves as your formal agreement to participate for the interested performance date and time requested. Each performance is $10/ticket for students, teachers and chaperones. Forms can be faxed to Julie Paltauf at (203) 438-4543 or you can call or email the box office staff at (203) 438-5795/info@ridgefieldplayhouse.org. We certainly hope that you and your students will take advantage of one or more of these wonderful performances.
See you at The Playhouse!
For order form, click here
For Arts in Education policy information, click here
All shows are 55 – 70 minutes in length, but allow additional time for Q & A and entering and departing the theater. |
