Education & Outreach
The primary goal of Wharton Center's Educational Programs is to
connect students to the performing arts by offering a range of programs
suited to a variety of learner needs.
In so doing, it is our hope that students of every age will find for themselves
that participation in the arts enriches, enhances and broadens one's life.
Programs
geared to specific age groups follow below, with links to downloads and information
in the sidebar.
The Act One Family Series
Ages: Five years and older
Act One Family Series weekend matinee performances in the intimate 600 seat Pasant Theatre provide the perfect opportunity for parents and grandparents to introduce children to the performing arts. Shows are specifically designed to appeal to young audiences by national and international touring youth theatre production companies.
Performances are recommended for children 5 years and older unless otherwise noted. Run times are approximately one hour.
The Act One School Series
Ages: Grades K–8
The Act One School Series provides curriculum linked, performing
arts enrichment activities for students in grades K-8. Shows produced
by nationally touring youth theatre companies bring characters from
history and literature to life in one-hour school-day matinees. The
lecture-demonstration format of selected shows provides a perfect
opportunity to introduce students to cultural music and dance
artists from around the world.
Click
here to download a 2007–2008
Act One School Series Brochure
Jazz Kats: Jazz for Kids
Ages: Grades 5–8
Modeled after Jazz at Lincoln Center's highly successful programs
for youth, performances will feature distinguished artists from Michigan
State University's School of Music ensemble, the Professors of Jazz
at MSU (PJMSU).
Dianne Reeves Vocal Jazz Residency 2008
Michigan State University is proud to host Blue Note recording artist Dianne Reeves as a 2008 artist-in-residence. Expanding on MSU’s commitment to advance arts and culture on campus and in the community, residencies provide unique opportunities to integrate teaching artists into the academic experience. The Dianne Reeves Vocal Jazz Residency will feature three days of clinics, concerts and master classes, primarily for students, but will also provide opportunities for public participation. The program is part of MSU’s Year of Arts and Culture, and a cross-collegiate collaboration by Wharton Center for Performing Arts, the MSU College of Music, and the new Residential College in the Arts and Humanities. View Details
Ages: High school
Michigan high school students are invited to write and submit one-act
scripts to a juried competition. Six scripts will be selected as
finalists to be performed at Wharton Center by MSU Theatre Department
students. All finalists will receive awards.
view details
Registration forms and student packets are available for download
below:
Young Playwrights Slideshow for more
information (click the presentation to advance slides (FLASH)
Adult Learners
Ages: Adults
The Kennedy Center Partners in Education, Professional Development
Series is a collaboration between Wharton Center Ingham County Intermediate
School District and Kennedy Center designed to enhance teachers ability
to teach in and through the arts. Click here for more information.
Wharton Center offers lifelong educational opportunities through
an MSU Alumni Evening College course, "Backstage at Wharton," and
through the Wharton Center Preview Lectures. Wharton
Center Preview Lectures
