Rockefeller Foundation Funding Expansion of HAMILTON's #EduHam Program

As reported by BroadwayWorld, the educational program #EduHam, which makes select Wednesday afternoon performances of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway smash HAMILTON available to New York City schools with a high concentration of students from low-income families for the ticket price of only $10, has been an extraordinary success.

Originally funded by a $1.46 million grant by The Rockefeller Foundation, the educational partnership, is not only providing 20,000 NYC public school students with the opportunity to see HAMILTON on Broadway, but provides educational material by The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and the New York City Department of Education to incorporate material from the musical into the American History curriculum.

On the creative end of the learning process, before every #EduHam performance, students are invited to come onstage to present their own musical creations inspired by the experience.

Now, with HAMILTON making preparations for touring companies, The Rockefeller Foundation has announced an additional $6 million grant which will provide 100,000 students in select cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington D.C., the same opportunity. Additional cities will be announced as touring proceeds.

"The HAMILTON student matinees on Broadway have been such a rewarding experience for all of us at the theatre, thanks to the creativity and the passion the students bring to them," says Lin-Manuel Miranda. "The performances that they come up with are unbelievable! It's phenomenal that through the continued support of The Rockefeller Foundation the program will now reach students in classrooms across the country. Who knows what they will create?"

Judith Rodin, President of The Rockefeller Foundation, adds, "Our goal is to not only bring history to life for students throughout the country, but to have them relate to the actors who make this show what it is; demonstrating that everything is possible for them, no matter what neighborhood they live in, what school they attend, or where they come from."

"I am very thankful for Judith and The Rockefeller Foundation," says HAMILTON producer Jeffrey Seller. "Their generosity and their belief in our education program made it happen, and their continued commitment to the next 100,000 students is extraordinary. As the musical begins to tour the country, we are steadfast in our mission to expose students all over America to HAMILTON."

Miranda's father, Luis A. Miranda, Jr. who heads the program's national fundraising effort, says, "Thanks to The Rockefeller Foundation and the gravitas and commitment they bring, it will be easier to find funding partners in every market throughout the country."

The Good Morning America video shows New York City students participating in the #EduHam program.

With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical direction and orchestrations byAlex Lacamoire, Hamilton is based on Ron Chernow's biography of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.

HAMILTON is the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation's first Treasury Secretary. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway, Hamilton is the story of America then, as told by America now.

HAMILTON's creative team previously collaborated on the 2008 Tony Award Winning Best Musical In The Heights.

HAMILTON features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, and casting by Telsey + Company, Bethany Knox, CSA.

The musical is produced by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman and The Public Theater.

The Hamilton Original Broadway Cast Recording is available everywhere nationwide. The Hamilton recording received a 2016 Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album.