NORTHLIGHT STUDENT SERIES:

Northlight On Campus

Northlight On Campus is a one-stop-shop for theatre engagement at school. Our goal is to make theatre accessible, build students' confidence and collaboration skills, increase participation in the arts, connect students with professional artists and raise the profile of Northlight in our community. Combining an on-campus residency program with visits to Northlight and guest artist workshops, students will experience theatre arts from all sides - as a performer, as an audience member, and as a designer/technician.

Northlight On Campus is geared towards schools that are lacking theatre programming altogether or need to supplement their current programming. Each residency is custom-designed with the school to suit each school's specific goals. Download a brochure to find out about customizing your school's package.

Northlight On Campus programs are custom-made with the school.  So, each program is unique.  Here are a few examples of current programs:

FAIRVIEW SOUTH SCHOOL

In 2010 Northlight Theatre's received a TCG, Met Life Do It! Grant to implement extensive theatre programming at Fairview South School with the middle school grades (Grades 6-8). Fairview had not had a theatre program on campus in over 15 years. NOC provides in-class and after-school programs as well as a commissioned play for the school and student attendance at Northlight's production. In the fall, Northlight hosts an 8-week after school theatre club with professional theatre artists, including master classes with artists from Northlight's main stage productions. In the spring, the program grows to a 12-week rehearsal process in which the students work on a play written just for them by a professional playwright. Along with these after-school opportunties, 8th grade students attend Northlight productions and have in-class pre and post-show workshops taught by Northlight artists. We are currently in our second year of NOC at Fairview.  Read a post from Fairview South Principal David Russo.

EVANSTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL

Northlight on Campus: Speak Up! is specially designed for Evanston Township High School (ETHS) students to supplement current theatre programming while maintaining the high artistic quality set by ETHS. Speak Up focuses on Theatre for Social Change. It includes a 16-week residency taught by a Northlight teaching artist for students to create original performance pieces of theatre with a social message. Students choose the topics, write the scripts and perform. Student voices drive this program to create theatre about the social issues most important to young people. The program culminates in performances for both their peers and for the public.

ARLYN THERAPEUTIC SCHOOL

This residency combines a year-round after school theatre games club, with a summer school class in theatre design and performance. Students participate in a variety of theatre games throughout the school year to develop collaboration, confidence and public speaking skills. During the summer, these concepts are broadened by a daily class on all aspects of theatre - design, staging, performance, puppetry, mask and text analysis.

"This is something that I grew a love for. I didn't have any theatre experience, I was just coming to explore my possibilities. It was a great experience in general. We discussed issues that meant a lot to us - we didn't discuss things that matter to everybody else, but the things that matter to US. We were all able to open up to each other without worrying that anyone was going outside the room and telling other people our business. I still have so much to say!" - ETHS Student

For more information or to register for programs:

Contact Devon de Mayo via email or by calling 847.324.1607, or download a Registration Form.

For additional programming, click here.