Adopt A School

The Adopt A School Program is a comprehensive four-year initiative designed to provide students with a rich, hands-on experience in the world of theater. This immersive program will expose students to a wide variety of theater roles, from performance to technical production, fostering a well-rounded appreciation for all aspects of the theater industry.
Each year, Paper Mill Playhouse will provide schools with engaging content and experiences to support the learning journey of their students. Below is an outline of the key offerings provided annually to participating schools.

Year 1: Introduction to Theater

Objective:

Introduce students to live theater and provide a solid understanding of the core aspects of the theater industry.

Key Components:

Attend 3 Shows
- 2 shows selected by Paper Mill Playhouse
- 1 show chosen by students
1 Pre-Show Q&A
- Q&A with the Cast: An opportunity for students to engage with professional artists and learn about their careers and creative processes.

Year 2: Skill Building & Foundations

Objective:

Expand student learning with practical workshops and deeper exposure to theater professionals.

Key Components:

Attend 1 Show
- 1 show chosen by students
Workshops (3)
- Acting Workshop
- Dance Workshop
- Voice Workshop
Arts Festival Master Classes
- Intensive performance training with theater professionals, focusing on advanced
  techniques in acting, vocal ensemble, and dance to further develop students’ skill

Year 3: Creative Writing & Performance

Objective:

Focus on storytelling, creative writing, and performance through hands-on application.

Key Components:

Attend 1 Show
- 1 show chosen by students
Workshops (10)
- Collaborative, devised theater workshops where students create original work
Arts Festival
- Performance: Students will showcase their devised theater piece at the festival.
- Tech Talk: A discussion with the tech team about production elements like lighting,
  sound, and costume design.
- Backstage Tour: An in-depth exploration of technical aspects of theater, including
  lighting, sound, and costume design.

Year 4: Final Exploration & Career Development

Objective:

Broaden students’ theater knowledge and explore career opportunities within the industry.

Key Components:

Attend 3 Shows
- 2 shows selected by Paper Mill Playhouse
- 1 show chosen by students
2 Pre-Show Q&A’s
- Q&A with the Creative Team: Focus on career paths in theater, including
  performance, production, and business roles.
- Q&A with the Cast: An opportunity for students to engage with professional artists
  and learn about their careers and creative processes.

Additional Components Available Each Year:

Prologue Video: Introduces Paper Mill Playhouse’s history, mission, cultural relevance,
theater etiquette, and program expectations.
Study Guide: Provides analysis, context, and discussion points to deepen understanding of
each show.
End-of-Year Survey & Writing Prompt: Collect feedback from students to evaluate the
impact of the program.