Top 5 Things D.C. Teachers can Do at Ford’s Theatre This Year!
Welcome back to school! We hope you had a relaxing and restorative summer!
Ford’s Theatre wants to be a part of your classroom in 2016-2017. (Can’t come to Ford’s? Here are 2 ways Ford’s can virtually come to you.)
Here are the Top 5 Things Teachers Can Do at Ford’s Theatre This Year!
#1 Attend a Show
Bring your students to a Student Matinee:
Fall: Come From Away
A new musical that tells the true and uplifting story of Gander, Newfoundland, where dozens of planes were redirected when North American air space was closed on September 11, 2001. The story of Come From Away is a wonderful example of individuals with different languages and cultures uniting in times of struggle, and will inspire dialogue and action in your students. Appropriate for ages 12+
Winter: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
A natural choice for 11th and 12th grade ELA classrooms, Edward Albee’s groundbreaking play presents themes on the American family, gender constraints and relationships. Read the play and then see the show! Appropriate for ages 17+
Spring: Ragtime
A dynamic musical about race and class in early 1900’s America that students can relate to today. Assign E.L. Doctorow’s book, Ragtime, and then attend the musical at Ford’s Theatre! Appropriate for ages 12+
Did You Know? We have a limited number of complimentary student tickets for D.C. public schools and area Title 1 schools (and free busing for qualified schools within the Beltway).
[Email Education@Fords.org for student matinee tickets!]
# 2 Discuss and Apply the Show
Ford’s Theatre offers student playbills, post-show discussions, classroom resources and lesson plans to make attending the theatre a lively accompaniment to ELA and Social Studies curricula.
Did You Know? We have Lesson Plans that invite students to step into the shoes of Come From Away’s creators. Students interview an adult in their community about 9/11 and then create an original monologue from their interview. We can’t wait to see what your students create!
[Check out the “For Teachers” page on our website!]
#3 Visit the Historic Site
Students will walk in the steps of Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre. Students will see rare artifacts related to the assassination, view the historic theatre, see the house where Lincoln died, and learn about the hunt for John Wilkes Booth. A field trip to Ford’s Theatre enhances study of the Civil War and Washington history!
Did You Know? We have a limited number of complimentary buses for D.C. public schools and area Title 1 schools within the Beltway. D.C. public schools and local Title 1 schools are also eligible for complimentary tickets and a staff-lead tour.
#4 Get Inspiried!
Let Loose at a Teacher Preview Performance:
Attend a show for free and meet other theater-loving D.C.area teachers! You’ll learn about the show’s themes and how it might apply to your classroom. Dinner, a show ticket and lively conversation are provided!
#5 Network with Us
Evening For Educators:
Join fellow D.C.-area teachers at Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument on September 29, 2016 for a casual, social open house hosted by the Civil War Washington Consortium. Meet staff from Ford’s Theatre, President Lincoln’s Cottage, Tudor Place Historic Place and Gardens, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, and the National Mall and Memorial Parks. This event is free and open to K-12 educators. Appetizers, drinks and new friendships provided!
Jennie Berman Eng is Lead Teaching Artist in the Ford’s Theatre Society Education Department.
