“I loved the cast, the music, and everything; it was the most I’ve ever been interested in Shakespeare!”
(11th G. The Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts)
PTC is bringing its educational programming to the Greater Philadelphia Area. Since our founding in 1974, we have sought to nurture boundary-breaking theatre artists and push our art form forward by supporting artists at all stages of development. PTC’s original educational initiatives ran for over a decade and regularly served between 500 and 1,200 students annually. These programs were enthusiastically received by students, educators, and city officials, and they received a 2008 Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service.
For the 2023-24 Season, we are creating programming that will supplement and enhance the curricula in the classroom and use an adaptable, trauma-informed, and arts-based pedagogy to illuminate a range of skills for students. We aim to creatively engage youth through collaboration, critical thinking, listening for learning, community building, activating self-confidence, tuning into self-awareness, and navigating self-management to practice informed decision-making.
The 2024-25 Season will also expand PTC’s Education Program, revived in April 2023 and growing since. In July 2024, PTC welcomed Josh Campbell, Dale and Richard Levy Director of Education and Public Programs.
PTC’s current program offerings include:
- Pre- and post-show workshops facilitated by PTC Education Staff
- Student Matinee performances followed by a talkback/Q&A with the cast and creative team
- Professional development opportunities for educators, including workshops and curriculum development consultation
- Flexible residency offerings to meet the needs of our diverse school system
- Summer Programming
Photo 1: Macbeth in Stride Student Matinee, Photo by Paola Nogueras
Photo 2: Lady Day Student Matinee, Photo by Paola Nogueras
Photo 3: Lincoln High School Visit, Photo by Erica Swift
ARE YOU AN EDUCATOR OR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR?
PTC invites students from local and surrounding schools to witness the magic of theatre with their peers. Each student matinee includes free pre- and post show in-school workshops, dedicated talkback, and curated educational materials. Tickets are offered on a sliding scale.
PTC knows YOU are the backbone in developing the future of theatre-going audiences. We want to welcome you to preview shows during Educator Night’s with a discounted ticket and a beverage on us! Also if you are interested in learning more about integrating creative imagination and theatre magic into your curriculum, connect with us to learn about professional development opportunities!
Are you interested in engaging PTC in a school residency for your location? We are offering tailored programming that will support you, your students, and your community with access to creative approaches that are created with an awareness of trauma-informed practices and the ability to include social and emotional learning strategies to complement you classroom and school culture for students, adults, and families! Let us know how you want to engage PTC for your school community!
PROGRAMMING FOR STUDENTS OF ALL AGES
Join Philadelphia Theatre Company as we engage the youth of this city in embracing Philly’s flair and rich diversity as we put the ‘Philadelphia’ in PTC! Partnering with Philadelphia Young Playwrights, our summer programs will expose students to Philadelphia’s creative culture and close with a youth-led presentation of how we are all a “Philly thing.”
In the 2024-2025 school year, PTC is welcoming onsite afterschool programming! Stay tuned to learn more about how you can connect your youth to the magic of all the elements that make theatre come alive!
PTC currently provides internship opportunities connected with Drexel University’s co-op program. If you are a university student, or you know one in a local university or within the Greater Philadelphia area, who would be interested in an internship with PTC, let us know!