Playhouse on the Square Department of Theatre Education Creates A New Virtual Learning Program On Demand

Feb. 2, 2021 – Memphis, Tenn. - Playhouse on the Square’s Department of Theatre Education, due to restrictions with the Coronavirus, has temporarily halted education and outreach programs that meet in Mid South area schools.  However, enriching a student’s educational experience is vitally important to Playhouse on the Square’s mission.  Therefore, the Education Department has created play-shop <online>, a virtual learning program for students K-12, available on demand, through the streaming platform Showtix4U.com.

play-shop <online> is a series of virtual drama workshops that can be shared with students in the classroom or while they are learning from home online.  Lessons include, but are not limited to, learning how to sew on a button, design a set, write a play, or how to warm-up their voices for the stage.  There are lessons about how the Greeks originally staged plays and the birth of musical theatre. 

play-shop <online> videos range from dance to puppetry, from stage management to theatre history, and much more!  The videos are 20-30 minutes long.  A handout with supply lists, pre and post activities, and discussion options to engage teachers and students beyond the video, accompanies each workshop.  Video options are priced for small, medium, and large class sizes.  The Tennessee Arts Commission Ticket Subsidy program can be used to purchase the workshops.  Information regarding ticket subsidy can be found at http://playhouseonthesquare.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/TACTicketSubsidy.pdf

Educators or parents interested in purchasing a workshop, should contact Jason Gerhard, Director of Theatre Education at (901) 937-6475, or by email jason@playhouseonthesquare.org.  Additional information regarding play-shop <online> can be found at http://playhouseonthesquare.org/play-shop-virtual-drama-workshops.html.

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