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Dallas theater students will cap off Hamilton-themed lesson plan with free performance

ArtandSeek.net 19

Performing arts students and teachers in Dallas are taking part in a lesson plan based on the Broadway hit Hamilton.

The curriculum, created by Dallas Independent School District and Dallas Summer Musicals, will be taught at 25 DISD high schools over the course of several weeks in November. It’ll culminate with a performance of Hamilton reserved for participating students and teachers.

Dallas Summer Musicals president Ken Novice says the curriculum includes training and career prep with a focus on STEM.

“So often, education in the theater is limited to training for actors and directors,” Novice said during a press conference Monday. “We are also looking at how to create an opportunity for students to learn about the business of theater, how that works, and to learn about technology.”

Students will get access to software like Adobe Premier Pro and Photoshop to reimagine the marketing campaign for the musical. The T.D. Jakes Foundation helped fund the program, and the nonprofit will provide access to the curriculum as part of its virtual STEAM Academy.

“We recognize that the catalyst to upward mobility for underserved communities pivots around exposure,” chairman T.D. Jakes said. “Exposure to opportunities like this are critical in order for young people to envision themselves beyond the parameters of what they have seen before.”

In all, 3,400 theater students and teachers will get the opportunity to see Hamilton when the show makes a stop at Music Hall in Fair Park from Nov. 16 to Dec. 5.

Additional funding for DISD’s special curriculum comes from Plano-based Frito Lay, The Moody Foundation and The Meadows Foundation.


Got a tip? Email Miguel Perez at mperez@kera.org. You can follow him on Twitter @quillindie.

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