Theatre Espresso

CONTACT:

43 Boynton St. #1L
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
617-524-3222
www.TheatreEspresso.org

Wendy Lement, Artistic Director

DESCRIPTION:

How is electronic communication affecting students’ abilities to discuss and debate substantive issues?. The NYTimes reports (Oct. 5) that collegiate debate competitions have deteriorated into theatrical exchanges of sound bites rather than reasoned arguments using evidence. Without strong knowledge of history and civics, students can’t articulate informed opinions on current issues, yet often traditional classes on these subjects fail to engage them. Theatre Espresso rises to this occasion by offering students personal connections to history and a forum for discussion. The key to its approach is interactivity. TE creates, produces, and performs 150 plays and workshops annually, founded on historical events and linked to school curricula. In these performances, history goes live—students ask questions of the actors, take roles that require critical thinking, debate issues, and make decisions. Their performance piece, “Nine Who Dared: Crisis in Little Rock”, begins with the expulsion of one of the nine, casts the audience as members of the Little Rock community, and plays out what should happen next. It doesn’t take participants long to see connections with current social justice issues. In fall 2010, the company’s new interactive drama, American Tapestry: Immigrant Children of the Bread and Roses Strike, will be in residence at the Lawrence Heritage State Park, in addition to touring to schools. The play and accompanying study guide will help students relate the plight of mill workers in 1912 to modern day issues of immigration and child labor. This year TE reached over 3000 students. Teachers and the press both praise its work. You can strengthen civilization with this one.

(2008: CULTURE: Arts: Education: Theatre)