Beyond Borders: Arts and Language for Youth
A residency for upper elementary, middle, and high school children this program is designed to supplement standard language arts methodologies with innovative teaching through the performing arts during the regular school day, at intercession, and in summer school.
Beyond Borders is a theatrically-based in school educational program, which seeks to improve language, literacy and life skills. The program is designed to serve at-risk youth and English language learners in the greater Los Angeles area as well as other communities seeking an inventive approach to help address the social and academic challenges faced by many of these students.
Professional dramatic artists from the East L.A. Classic Theatre (ECT) team work with classroom teachers, utilizing innovative educational techniques as they guide students through the program. The Beyond Borders curriculum is aligned to the California Language Arts, English Language Development and Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Educational Standards in an effort to assure that the program compliments and supports the students’ existing educational programming. Students are directed to focus on the development of individual creativity, while simultaneously cultivating community skills through the process of building an ensemble.
Theatrical techniques inspired by Viola Spolin, Constantin Stanislavski and Augusto Boal focus on character development, imagination and improvisation skills; providing students with new skill sets which support the development of advanced social skills. Varying dramatic texts are read, discussed and reflected on through creative writing activities, promoting improved language and literacy skills. Finally, students work together in collaborative playwriting groups to write, edit, produce and perform their own original dramatic works.
Video Feature: East L.A. Classic Theatre and Beyond Borders
