Roundabout Theatre is extending its commitment to New York high schoolers and young theatre audiences with "Theatre-Access," an educational opportunity that offers lower ticket prices for specific dates to Broadway shows.
Student groups will pay only $20 for a ticket, which includes study guides for the students, post-performance discussions, and an invitation for the teacher to attend a Preview Workshop, held on the day of the preview performance. (Teachers work with Roundabout Teaching Artists to plan lessons around the production.) Schools with serious financial needs that are willing to incorporate the play into their curriculum will get additional discounts.
Organizations, such as Theatre Development Fund (TDF), who collaborate with the Roundabout in creating a theatre experience for students will pay only $15 per ticket.
"We want to help teachers make the theatre experience meaningful for their students," noted Education Director Margaret Salvante. "Teachers have to be prepared, and that's where we come in. We present the classics, as well as new works, with the best actors of our time -- it's the perfect place to get young people excited about the theatre."
Because of its strong subscription rate, Roundabout had to set aside specific performances for the Theatre-Access program: Nov. 6: The Rehearsal
Dec. 11: Scapin (sold out)
Feb. 26, 1997: Three Sisters
April 2: All My Sons
May 28: London Assurance
July 23: 1776.
Theatre-Access is part of the Roundabout's "From Page To Stage" educational program, which also offers a "Theatre Week" (no connection to the magazine) that tailors a week of school study around a production. "We have over 5,000 students a year benefiting from our programs," Salvante told Playbill On-Line. "And these organizations like TDF and American Theatre Wing are so important, because we want these programs to be more than just a field trip. 'From Page To Stage' is really about helping kids understand the interpretation process, how a production really takes shape."
For more information about Roundabout's Theatre-Access, Theatre Week and overall "From Page To Stage" programs, call (212) 719-9393 or check out the Roundabout's website at http://www.roundabouttheatre.org.
--By David Lefkowitz
