Finding Joy Again

The pandemic has proven to be incredibly challenging for the education sector. The flip-flopping between in-person and virtual, cancellations, staffing shortages and loss of connection have been difficult for educators and students alike. Given so much uncertainty during this time, First Stage has remained committed to being a certainty for those we serve through our Theater in Education Programs.

First Stage 2019/2020 Theater in Education workshop

Julia Magnasco, First Stage Director of Programming

First Stage’s professional teaching artists facilitate our drama-based Theater in Education Programs in classrooms and centers throughout Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin—integrating the arts into the traditional curriculum while teaching students the drama process. As First Stage Director of Programming Julia Magnasco explains, “our goal with our Theater in Education Programs is to bring academic enrichment to life, to nurture school climates through the arts, and help students find pathways to be able to get involved in everything First Stage has to offer.”

First Stage has made a really strong commitment to deepen our relationships with our community here in Milwaukee, and the past two years hasn’t changed that… in fact, it has only deepened our commitment to help meet educators and students where they are. Magnasco shares, “When the pandemic hit and suddenly we weren’t in schools the way we used to be, my team said ‘Okay. We’re going to figure this out because we know we are important to the audience that we serve.’ So we adjusted and we were flexible.” Whether that meant we provided our virtual programs to educators so they could engage in our workshops when it made sense to them, or our teaching artists safely visited classrooms to engage students through in-person workshops, First Stage’s goal was to make all of our programming flexible and responsive to the needs of the school communities we serve.

First Stage 2019/2020 Theater in Education workshop

First Stage 2020/2021 virtual Theater in Education workshop

Through this, First Stage found that our relationships with schools grew even stronger and the trust deepened. “Being able to take the time to listen these past couple of years to what our schools and educators needed in this moment and then provide them with a variety of options to fit their needs has been just so critical in the development in these relationships.” Magnasco explains. She adds, “No one has been immune to the uncertainty the past two years have brought. Adults have felt it, and our young people are certainly feeling it. I think it’s more crucial than ever to be able to come alongside schools and community organizations to work with their young people through an art form that encourages collaboration, ensemble, and finding joy again.”

Thanks to the generosity of our funders, First Stage has been able to do just that. Through our Theater in Education Programs, young people are finding their voices, validating their feelings, and finding joy in connecting with one another as well as with the characters and stories highlighted on stage through our Theater Productions. Finding those connections and meaning is so important. Magnasco shares, “We have had some incredible feedback from educators and community organizations this season—acknowledging that as well as thanking us for bringing them a moment of joy—something that everyone needs now more than ever.”

 

To learn more about First Stage’ Theater in Education Programs here.