About the Program
Florida Rep's Education Programs have grown exponentially in the past five years and are overseen by Education Director, Rachael Endrizzi. The program continues to grow under her creative and innovative direction. Associate Producer Carrie Lund laid the foundations tens years ago, and it was under former Associate Director Bari Newport that the current program began to take shape. Some of Newport's original plays for kids about Thomas Edison and Dr. Seuss are still talked about today, and her influence in the formation of the many different components of the Education Program is unparalleled.Since then the Rep staff, with the help of Associate Directors Jason Parrish & Rachel Burttram, has continued to cultivate and adapt the education program, and has created a very active and sought-after education arm of the Florida Repertory Theatre. Education at the Florida Rep now offers programming for kids and adults, performance opportunities and is active all year long.
And now, at the beginning of a new decade, Florida Rep stands ready to move into the next ten years. The Education Program is poised for greatness as it moves forward as the only program of its kind in Southwest Florida, ready to break new ground by bringing theatre its most important audience.
Educate. Excite. Enlighten. Florida Rep Acts Up!
Education at Florida Rep is a multifaceted program that features Children's Touring Theatre, a Saturday morning Lunchbox Theatre Series, onsite theatre classes, in-school theatre residencies and Camp Florida Rep – the region's most popular summer camp for kids ages 5 to 16.
Join Florida Rep's Education Department in 2008-2009 for some of the most fun you'll ever have! Educate. Excite. Enlighten.
2008 World Classic Initiative and Student Matinees
In October, Florida Rep was proud to bring Tennessee Williams' timeless drama, The Glass Menagerie to vibrant life as its 2008 World Classic Initiative Production. Written by one of America’s finest dramatists, Florida Rep partnered with the Lee County Library System in presenting The Glass Menagerie in conjunction with the One Book One Community project. In 2007, Florida Rep partnered with The Classical Theatre of Harlem to present William Shakespeare's classic, Romeo and Juliet, as the 2007 World Classic Initiative production, and combined brought over 8,000 young people to the theatre.
In addition to the matinees connected to the World Classic Initiative, Florida Rep offers opportunities throughout the season for students of all ages to see its work on the mainstage, in the Historic Arcade Theatre. There are specific dates set aside for each of the following productions: Indian Blood by A.R. Gurney (Dec. 11) and Irish playwright Brian Friel's masterpiece, Dancing at Lughnasa (Jan. 22).
Florida Rep's Education Department is now accepting bookings for each of these special performances, and the cost of admission is only $10 per student. Study Guides are available that are packed with information about the plays, discussion prompts and activities for the classroom.
Three Great Plays for Children and Families
The Education Department is proud to present its first musical, Schoolhouse Rock LIVE! For the first time in history, Florida Rep will be rocking your classroom and the River District with its Children’s Touring Program and Lunchbox Theatre Series. Based on the popular TV series, Schoolhouse Rock LIVE! is a musical treat for all ages, and features the hit songs, Conjunction Junction, I’m Just a Bill and Interplanet Janet!
The Touring Program and Lunchbox Series also feature two more fun, exciting and educational productions – both penned by Florida Rep’s favorite playwright, Eric Coble. Cinderella Confidential tells the true story behind the classic fairy tale, and gives audiences the full scoop. and...ZAP! is back for more this season, too! In cooperation with LCEC, Florida Rep is bringing its specially commissioned piece about electricity back to life in Southwest Florida.
The Many other Ways to ACT UP! with Florida Rep...
In addition to the World Classic Initiative, Children's Touring Theatre Program and Lunchbox Theatre Series, Florida Rep's Education Programs encompass a wide variety of classes, activities and performance opportunities that can be tailor-made for your school, group or even brownie troupe.
Discounted Student Matinee Performances for A.R. Gurney's Indian Blood and Brian Friel's Dancing at Lughnasa
Artist in Residency Programs for Elementary, Middle and High School
Babysitting Nights at the Rep, so parents can have dinner and a show
Lunchbox Theatre Series & Children's Touring Theatre
The World Classic Initiative
Classes for Youth and Adults
Camp Florida Rep
