PYT’s community outreach supports children and their families through numerous initiatives, all of which are made possible through contributions from corporations, state, and local agencies, as well as through the generosity of individuals and private foundations.
Literature-based Theatre for Schools While the ticket revenue from PYT’s MainStage productions is sufficient to cover the expenses of those shows, the cost to bring these professionally produced shows to the stage for schools far exceeds the modest amount charged for school children.
PYT’s MainStage literature-based productions augment the Language Arts curriculum for the 13,000 school children that attend their shows annually. In fact the State of Pennsylvania has designated these productions as eligible fro the state’s Educational Tax Credit Program, affording certain corporations tax advantages for contributing to this program.
Teachers receive production specific study guides with educational activities for them to use before and after the production thus extending the benefits of the theatre experience to the classroom.
In a short prelude, the director of the show offers background about the author and insight into any special challenges in staging the production, heightening students’ understanding of both the literature and the aesthetic challenges inherent in live theatre.
The Pegasus Project
This inclusion program serves community children and theatergoers who have a wide range of physical, emotional or cognative challenges:
Children with physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges are served either through inclusion in PYT’s integrated program or through residencies conducted by youth theatre specialists in their schools. This initiative is in its 8th year.
The venues for all MainStage performances are handicapped accessible.
Reaching Out!
This inclusion program provides scholarships to underserved children through the following alternatives:
PYT’s after-school integrated, dance and voice programs and SummerStage summer camp are essential components of Reaching Out!. Approximately 150 Scholarships are awarded on a need and merit basis.
The Fountain Hill/Donegan Project provides inclusion in PYT’s SummerStage summer camp to children from economically challenged families on Bethlehem’s south side. This initiative is in its 4rd year and serves about 20 children and their families annually.
Raising the Barre is an initiative that integrates children into PYT’s after-school dance program based on talent and need. Children from underserved area elementary and middle schools audition for the opportunity to participate in this program. This program is currently serving 15 children.
The Broughal Project provides twice-weekly dance instruction during the school day to Broughal Middle School students at PYT’s studios, with culminating performances for their peers. This initiative is in its 4th year serving 15 – 20 children per year.
Theatre on Wheels:
This program reaches out creatively to children and seniors and represents the cornerstone of Pennsylvania Youth Theatre’s plan to develop new audiences:
Clean Getaway is a popular play about conservation and recycling, comprised of 5 adult professional actors. This educational play was toured to 20,000 Lehigh County and Northampton County elementary school children during January and February, 2004. This was the 4th tour.
Little Red Riding Hood will introduce kids and seniors to the magical world of opera by exploring its three major elements: music, drama and visual arts. Three professional actors and an accompanist will perform this one-act opera by Samuel Barab.
The Cookie Company will present little plays for little folks and milk and cookies, too. With a magical trunk of costumes and props, talented teens will travel and bring wonderful stories to life.
Girl Scout Collaboration
PYT offers a special ticket price for the Great Valley Girl Scout Council at specified performances. Two workshops are offered for Girl Scouts this year. They include backstage tours and post-performance talk-backs with the actors. This collaboration serves about 700 Girl Scouts annually.
Outreach
Reaching Out!
Theatre on Wheels:
Pennsylvania Youth Theatre,