Archive: Arts & Entertainment

December 8, 2008 (ITHACA, NY) – For many students of English literature, studying Shakespeare is a challenging task. Homeschooled teens in Ithaca, however, are bringing Shakespeare’s classics to life this Fall—and they are enjoying the process of doing so.

Fifteen teens are participating in a 10-week theatre workshop that is the product of a new partnership between the Hangar Theatre and the Northern Lights Learning Center.  The collaboration has emerged from a shared philosophy of arts-integrated learning that is at the core of both organizations’ missions.

"Creating new learning and outreach relationships in the community is an important aspect of homeschooling, and one that the Hangar Theatre program is helping us forge. We are very grateful for their interest in our teens, and these kids are loving it," said Jacquie Lopez, a parent of a student involved and the coordinator of the Northern Lights Learning Center.

The workshop will culminate in a presentation created by the students and directed by Jesse Bush, associate artist and education coordinator of the Hangar Theatre.  The original piece contains excerpts from several of Shakespeare’s comedies, tragedies and histories that focus on the theme of dreams.  The performance will be held December 15 at 7:00 pm at the Beverly J. Martin Elementary School library and a small donation at the door is suggested.

Hangar Theatre Executive Director Lisa Bushlow hopes to expand this new partnership in the future. “The Hangar Theatre is undergoing a massive renovation that will winterize the facility by 2010 and will enable us to use the theatre during the winter time for education programs like this collaboration with Northern Lights Learning Center.”

While the Hangar’s outreach to this group of homeschoolers is new, the Hangar Theatre’s outreach to Tompkins County schools has been a core part of its mission for nearly two decades.  Over 20,000 youths are served annually through its winter educational programs. This year, teaching artists will collaborate with elementary and middle school classroom teachers throughout the region, helping students to become better learners by embracing different learning styles and encouraging a deeper understanding of curricular material through the use of dramatic techniques.

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