WILMAGINATION

WILMAGINATION provides theater-based classroom residencies with the School District of Philadelphia that integrate theater into the academic curriculum at the middle and high school level. The program is designed to increase and support the classroom curriculum through interactive and creatively engaging theatrical techniques. Each WILMAGINATION lesson is carefully crafted to meet multiple learning objectives simultaneously. As students learn to appreciate, critique, and ultimately create their own theatrical performance, they acquire skills in reading, writing, speaking, problem solving, and critical thinking that are outlined under Pennsylvania Academic Standards. For many students in our program, this is their first introduction to attending and/or making theater, the newness of which generates an invigorated attitude toward learning as a whole.

In keeping with its classroom-specific approach, WILMAGINATION is uniquely flexible in timeline, grade level and thematic content, all of which are negotiated with the classroom teachers before the start of the project. Sample unit plans are developed around Wilma plays that possess particularly valuable educational opportunities for students. These units are then modified by the teaching artists to meet the specific curricular needs of the classroom teacher. The average Wilmagination residency is twelve sessions, but we also do some mini residencies that focus on preparing students to see a show at the Wilma and discussing it afterwards, as well as  more extensive 24 week and year long residencies that culminate in more developed original works by students showcased on the Wilma’s stage. For more information, please contact Anne Holmes at 215.893.9456 ext. 101 or akh@wilmatheater.org.

Program Elements:

• 2 Wilma teachings artists work with a class 1-2 days a week for the duration of the residency.
• Teaching artists begin by introducing students to some of the basic elements of theater and performance.
• Teaching artists introduce relevant themes, historical/cultural background, etc. in preparation for the students seeing a performance at the Wilma.
• Students attend a matinee performance at the Wilma followed by a Q & A with the actors on stage.
• Students write original pieces (usually in the form of dramatic monologues or poems) inspired by a chosen theme that ties the classroom curriculum to the play they saw at the Wilma.
• Teaching artists work with the students to develop their individual pieces into a group performance.
• The program culminates with the students staging an original performance or reading for an invited audience either at their school or at the Wilma.