Shaw Festival Launches 2007 Education Program

The Shaw Festival today announced details of its 2007 Education Programme, which offers a selection of itineraries, packages and resource tools for educators and students. Designed specifically for younger audiences, The Shaw’s Education Programme promotes a captivating and interactive learning environment that ignites an understanding of and a passion for theatre and the arts.

A visit to the Shaw Festival will have students learning, first hand, a number of complex stage skills such as set and costume design, wigs and makeup preparations, special effects, how to make a prop of their own and auditioning tips. Students and teachers will also gain a unique perspective on life in a repertory theatre with special opportunities to go behind-the-scenes, to chat with members of the Company and to learn about the Festival’s history and its current productions. With Shaw’s Student Theatre Club, high school student members are brought together for a day at The Shaw to learn more about the world of live theatre.

The Shaw’s commitment to educating young people about theatre extends beyond The Shaw’s walls into the classroom. The Shaw’s education department coordinates an in-school program called “The Portable Shaw”. Through workshops and presentations led by Shaw Festival professionals, students are introduced to various techniques and trades of the theatre, including acting, improvisation, choreography, and playwrighting. In addition, teachers can take advantage of comprehensive study guides on select plays, informative newsletters and workshops dedicated to professional development.

“The Shaw is committed to bringing theatre alive for young people,” said Rod Christensen, Senior Manager of Education. “We want to turn-on and tune-in teens to the world of theatre and ignite in them a passion for learning and the Arts. It is our intention with our educational programmes and student-trip packages to make The Shaw experience one that is accessible, appealing, and relevant for students of all ages.”

For example, The Shaw offers students a chance to explore Canada’s rich history with its package “By, George!”, where students visit nearby Fort George and experience the sights and sounds of a 19th century garrison. One package fittingly called “Fall Into Shaw” gives teachers the option of a full day of enrichment for students in the fall season, which includes a backstage tour, a workshop with a Company member, a question and answer period with two actors, as well as lunch and a matinee performance. In addition to student trip packages, The Shaw also offers students other ways to save with reduced ticket prices to regularly-priced performances and special matinees.

To learn more about The Shaw’s education programmes, contact Rod Christensen, Senior Manager of Education, at 1-800-511-SHAW (7429) or 905-468-2172, ext 265. For more information on student trip packages, please call Group Sales at 1-800-511-7429 or visit www.shawfest.com.
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For more information, or to download pictures from our image bank to accompany this release, members of the media may contact:

Odette Yazbeck
Public Relations Director
905-468-2153 or
1-800-657-1106 ext. 222
odette@shawfest.com

Jennifer Murphy
Public Relations Co-ordinator
905-468-2153 or
1-800-657-1106 ext. 224
jmurphy@shawfest.com