Reading Residency
Reading Residencies bring the English Language Arts curriculum to life by using theater to create strong, engaged readers. The curriculum utilizes a Milwaukee Rep production to strengthen reading comprehension and literacy skills, along with teaching theater understanding and social-emotional competency. By bringing the production to life in the classroom, the residency has consistently yielded positive increases in text analysis, social-emotional skills and theater participation.
Rep Education programs are designed to engage students in meaningful experiences that explore interdisciplinary topics and concepts connected to the art seen on Milwaukee Rep stages. All programs work to develop student’s skills in three primary areas:
- Reading Comprehension (e.g. text evidence, reading enjoyment)
- Social-Emotional Learning (e.g. relationship skills, social awareness)
- Theater Participation (e.g. understanding of and involvement in the theater)
Because these three areas are based largely on English Language Arts and theater, Rep Education program objectives and curriculum are aligned to Wisconsin Academic Standards, National Arts Standards and the CASEL Social Emotional Framework. View the Reading Residency Final Report to see how Milwaukee Rep programming can support existing grade-level curriculum. The Education & Engagement team is happy to work with you to determine how our programming can best support your curriculum.
The in-person Reading Residency program consists of 14 in-school workshops with a Milwaukee Rep teaching artist. Residencies include:
- Workshops covering topics related to the production, such as historical context, literary elements, theater and stage craft, cultural connections and ensemble-building;
- One Rep Immersion Day, a full-day experience including a performance, lunch and behind-the-scenes demonstrations about how a piece of literature is brought to life on stage;
- A post-show workshop with an actor from the production, who will come to the classroom for a personalized discussion on the performance, a career in the arts and more;
- A final project, allowing students to share their learning and experiences creatively!
If you are interested in any of our Reading Residency programs, please email education@milwaukeerep.com or call 414-290-5393.