Residencies
Write On!, Writers’ Theatre’s Residency Program, pairs students and teachers with professional artists who use writing, theatre and ensemble-building exercises to enhance creativity, imagination and curiosity.
Writers' Theatre will tailor the residency to your curriculum. The residency program uses the arts to explore ANY subject. Science units, novels and literature, social studies and history can be enriched by infusing the arts into the curriculum. Including theatre and literary arts in your unit compliments the learning experience using visceral and energizing hands-on activities.
A Write On! residency:
- can be created for any school or classroom
- can be for any length of time
- can fit into any budget
- can be during school or after school
Contact Director of Education Nicole O'Connell at noconnell@writerstheatre.org for more information. Or look at examples of Write On! residencies below.
All residencies are customized and adhere to the Common Core State Standards.
Hear what teachers have to say about how easy it is to work with Writers' Theatre:
For more information or to bring a WRITE ON! class to your school, please contact Nicole O'Connell.
Examples of Write On! Residencies include:
- CUSTOMIZED SUMMER WRITING PROGRAMS AT MAINE EAST AND HIGHLAND PARK HIGH SCHOOLS
- AFTER SCHOOL POETRY AND PERFORMANCE PROGRAM
- ADAPTING AND PERFORMING MYTHS AND FABLES
- WRITING FOR PERFORMANCE
- DISTRICT 28 AFTER-SCHOOL KID CARE
In collaboration with the District 28 Kid Care Program, Writers’ Theatre offers after-school creative writing and theatre classes that focus on literacy, imagination and performance. First through fifth grade students explored fairy tales, myths and legends using their bodies and voices to create their own stories. This past year we resided at Meadowbrook, Westmoor and Greenbriar Schools in Northbrook.
- EXPLORING MYTH AT NEW TRIER HIGH SCHOOL
After studying Homer’s The Odyssey in English class, students of the freshman class collaborated as actors, writers, assistant directors and technicians to create an original piece, Journey into a Dream. The piece used storytelling, performance and themes of courage and bravery to tell a hero’s journey for the 21st Century. Support came from the parents of the New Trier Fine Arts Association.
- TIME TRAVELING AT WEST SCHOOL
Using facts they learned about people, places and events in Illinois’ past, seven 3rd grade classrooms created and performed a short play threaded together to tell an unforgettable story about the Land of Lincoln. From the early-European settlers to Barack Obama, more than 120 students used theatre to share their knowledge of Illinois’ past. Generous support was provided by West School’s Parent and Teacher Organization.
- PAGE TO STAGE AT NEW TRIER HIGH SCHOOL
Writers' Theatre worked with three groups of freshman at New Trier High School to adapt short stories into pieces for the stage. Students collaborated with the Writers' Theatre Teaching Artists to bring three different stories to life on stage.
- STUDYING NOVELS AT ALCOTT ELEMENTARY AND BELDING ELEMENTARY
At Alcott Elementary, students studied the non-fiction novel We Beat the Street, which focuses on encouraging teens to make the right choices. Expanding on that theme, students created their own original performance piece. At Belding Elementary, students studied The Devil's Arithmetic--a book about a young girl trying to connect to her Jewish heritage. Students adapted and performed scenes from the book and wrote original monologues about discovering their own identity.
"Thank you for spending time with our class on making our Illinois play. It was very fun to do those cool exercises. I would love to do these kinds of plays every year!" - Thank you letter from a 3rd grade student, West School
“The students loved the teaching artist instantly and seem very excited about their class. I was so pleased with the response of the students, and several came up to me today already to thank us for hosting the workshop. Thanks for everything!” – Jay Howe, Assistant Superintendent, Glencoe School District 35
"Writers’ Theatre created an environment that stimulated the imagination, promoted self-expression and nurtured an appreciation and love of literature. Their unique literature-based program used stories as a launching point for creative drama. Students were challenged to retain information from these stories and use it in new ways encouraging both self-expression and an understanding of the written word. The feedback from students, parents and staff was tremendous." - Lauren Bondy, parent, Meadowbrook School
"The residency was invaluable to helping the children understand the complexities of playwriting and performing. I know for a fact that students loved Tuesdays because it allowed them another avenue to explore the novel in a new way!" --S. Lee, teacher, Belding Elementary
