Spacey to Lead Workshops for 180 High School Students

The Theatre Development Fund and The Old Vic Theatre in London are partnering for a unique arts education outreach program to provide an exciting opportunity for 180 New York City high school students.  Through this partnership, six classes of 30 students from six NYC high schools will attend Wednesday matinee performances of the Old Vic's Broadway production of Eugene O'Neill's A Moon for the Misbegotten during April and May. A few days after they've attended the play, they will participate in one of six special workshops led by the show's star, Kevin Spacey, who is also the Artistic Director of the Old Vic Theatre.

"When The Old Vic began thinking about replicating our successful education workshops in New York, we knew we needed a partner organization that understood young people and who would be as enthusiastic as we are about getting them involved in theatre," said Steven Winter, Education Manager for The Old Vic. "Theatre Development Fund was the natural choice with a reputation for giving people amazing, accessible opportunities. We are very grateful that they have worked so hard to make our time in New York so rewarding and hope this is the first of many partnership projects in the future."

"TDF is thrilled to have been asked to participate in this exciting program," said Marianna Houston, TDF's Education Director. "It's gratifying that someone of Kevin Spacey's stature understands the value of working directly with our next generation of theatregoers. This is certain to provide a life-altering experience for them."

Approximately 30 students from each of the six schools will see a Wednesday matinee of the production.  They will then participate in a 2.5 hour follow-up workshop with Kevin Spacey. TDF teaching artists will join Mr. Spacey during the workshop that will consist of an in-depth discussion of the play and theatre exercises, culminating with the students performing select scenes from the show in their classroom. 

The schools involved and dates of the workshops are: Forest Hills High School (4/24), Young Women's Leadership Academy (4/26), All Hallows High School (5/10), LaGuardia High School (5/22), Edward R. Morrow High School (5/24) and Stuyvesant High School (6/5).

For more information about TDF go to: www.tdf.org.  For more information about the Old Vic Theater go to: www.oldvictheatre.com.

Photo of Kevin Spacey by Retna Ltd.