Alley Theatre Education & Community Engagement 2014 15 Annual Report

2 014 -2 015 Education and Community Engagement Annual Report

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ALLEY THEATRE MISSIONTo deepen the understanding of ourselves, one another and the world we share by uniting theatre artists and audiences to experience the power of stories that illuminate the breadth and complexities of the human condition.

Alley Theatre’s Education and Community Engagement ProgramsApplied Theatre at the Alley (Alley ECE) is a national driving force for innovative arts education. We pioneer arts integration, cultivate the next generation of theatre artists, and foster community discourse.

CLASSROOM HOURS

7,975 8,891GROWTH

12%

2013-2014 2014 - 2015

GROWTH

57%

STUDENTS REACHED

GROWTH

59%

194,954 309,833

42,751 67,102

800 3,219GROWTH

302%

TEACHERS

CLASSROOM HOURS

TEACHERS

CONTACT HOURS

24% of users of U.S. adult social networking sites reported a curious

phenomenon in 2012 — they missed out on a key event in their lives because they were

absorbed in updating their social networking site

about that event.

–Mind Change: How Digital Technologies

Are Leaving Their Mark on Our Brain

by Susan Greenfield

FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

At the Alley, we’re committed to bringing theatre artists and audiences of all ages together to experience the best that theatre has to offer. When it comes to younger audiences, our Education and Community Engagement Department is equally dedicated to creating and nourishing the much-discussed ‘audience of the future’. But, their commitment goes further. In a world where young people average nearly 11 hours of entertainment media use per day, our education staff and teaching artists are responding to a deeper need, finding new ways to help young people better understand and engage with the real world.

Teaming with children and educators, they are exploring the powerful ways in which the ancient art of live theatre can serve as a counterbalance to the seismic impact digital technology has had on our society and personal lives. From conservatory training to cutting-edge in-school workshops that use Theatre Integration to boost student engagement and STEM learning, we concentrate on the very heart of theatre: face-to-face interaction. We provide children with a very special opportunity to cast off the spell of cyberspace and join with others to share stories and become the stars of their own adventures.

Theatre has always valued the art of self-investigation. It is a place where discussions flourish, ideas are examined and the multiple meanings of “play” can find expression. Education at the Alley Theatre embodies that ideal. Through theatre, we strive to open new channels of creativity and offer our youngest audiences an exciting, interactive alternative to the siren songs of digital distraction that have become such an inescapable part of our world.

Gregory BoydArtistic Director

2 | Alley Theatre Education and Community Engagement Annual Report 2014-2015

At the Alley, we’re committed to bringing theatre artists and audiences of all ages together to experience the best that theatre has to offer. When it comes to younger audiences, our Education and Community Engagement Department is equally dedicated to creating and nourishing the much-discussed ‘audience of the future’. But, their commitment goes further. In a world where young people average nearly 11 hours of entertainment media use per day, our education staff and teaching artists are responding to a deeper need, finding new ways to help

Teaming with children and educators, they are exploring the powerful ways in which the ancient art of live theatre can serve as a counterbalance to the seismic impact digital technology has had on our society and personal lives. From conservatory training to cutting-edge in-school workshops that use Theatre Integration to boost student engagement and STEM learning, we concentrate on the very heart of theatre: face-to-face interaction. We provide children with a very special opportunity to cast off the spell of cyberspace and join with

Theatre has always valued the art of self-investigation. It is a place where discussions flourish, ideas are examined and the multiple meanings of “play” can find expression. Education at the Alley Theatre embodies that ideal. Through theatre, we strive to open new channels of creativity and offer our youngest audiences an exciting, interactive alternative to the siren songs of digital distraction that have become such an inescapable part of our world.

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THANK YOU!

The Alley Theatre’s education programs would not be possible without the generous support of our donors.

DeloitteEnbridge Energy Company, Inc.GDF SUEZ George and Mary Josephine

Hamman FoundationH-E-B’s Tournament of Champions Charitable TrustHouston Arts AllianceHouston Livestock Show & Rodeo™Kennedy Center VSA ProgramKinder Morgan FoundationMacy’s

Marathon Oil CorporationImmanuel & Helen B. Olshan FoundationThe Powell FoundationWilliam E. and Natoma Pyle Harvey Charitable TrustShawcorShell Oil CompanySpectra EnergyTheatre ForwardTexas Commission on the ArtsWells Fargo

Contact Hours 309,833

S T U D E N T SR E A C H E DClassroomH O U R S

67,107

8,891TEACHERS 3,239

2014 -2015 EDUCATION PROGRAMS STATS


In two short years, the Alley Theatre has developed and implemented a new vision for its Education and Community Engagement programs. From innovative arts-integration programs in multiple subjects to exemplary theatre arts enrichment programs, we hit the ground running and didn’t take a breath until we had brought our department into the here and now.

Since 2013, Alley teaching artists have created a total of 540,887 interactions with 136,463 students. Working in over 250 schools, we found ample opportunity to train stellar teaching artists, meet challenging curriculum objectives and design appropriate program assessments. It’s been an extraordinary period of learning, stretching, envisioning, revising, editing, celebrating, caring, and expressing — all habits of mind that lead to exemplary education, strong partnerships and ultimately an outstanding non-profit that meets community needs on multiple levels.

FROM THE EDUCATION DIRECTOR

We live in worlds that we have forged and composed. It seems to me that one of the

most distinctive features of human intelligence is the capacity to

imagine, to project out of our own immediate circumstances and to bring to mind things that aren’t

present here and now.

– Sir Ken Robinson, Ph.D., international leader in the

development of creativity and innovation in education.

When people ask what it’s like to run an education department in a major arts institution, what often comes to mind is the image of spinning plates. You run to the end of a line of plates, spinning them as fast as you can. Before you can catch your breath, it’s time to rush to the other end to keep them spinning – all teetering, all about to fall. Getting the plates to spin is one thing, but keeping them spinning takes the combined effort of a talented team.

In September, we returned to our newly renovated theatre to open a stellar main stage season – full of new opportunities for our audiences and community. And to return to the metaphor of the spinning plates, we continue preparing to balance even more educational, life-changing arts experiences.

Mary SuttonDirector of Education & Community Engagement

OVERVIEW

In 2014-2015, 71% of the students served through the Alley Theatre’s in-school programs were from

economically disadvantaged communities.

IN OUR SCHOOLS• Staging STEM• School Partnerships• Slam Poets @ Alley Theatre• Alley Shows for Kids

IN OUR THEATRE• Student Matinees• Backstage Tours• Career Day • Professional Development

IN OUR COMMUNITY• Kennedy Center’s VSA Playwriting Discovery Program • Afterschool Programs• Alleyways

TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION• Alley Jr. & Sr. Conservatory• Play Makers• HYPE (Houston Young Playwrights Exchange)• Theatre Internships

COMMUNITY DISCOURSE• TalkBacks• School Nights/ Partnership Ticket Program• Alley Student and Educator Savings Program


167 schools and 25 independent school districts were served by Alley ECE Programs in 2014-2015.

Sealy Brookshire

Pearland

PasadenaLa Porte

Baytown

Humble

Tomball

The Woodlands

Alvin

Liberty

Texas City

Galveston

West Columbia

Van Vleck

Wharton

Cleveland

Sugar Land

10

45

45

10

610

290

29090

59

59

290

59

8

8

288

288

35

145

6

60

60

71

146

6

105

105

146

Katy

Conroe

Magnolia

Prairie View

Navasota

Bellville

Galveston Bay

Trinity Bay

6 | Alley Theatre Education and Community Engagement Annual Report 2014 -2015

STAGING STEM Grows by more than 450% in One Year

They are connecting concepts to vocabulary like never before!

The lessons are fun and engaging.

– Jeannie Gomez, 5th Grade Teacher, Sutton Elementary

RESIDENCIES 39

CONTACT HOURS

Students

45,588

3,799Classes177

Our arts-integration program, Staging STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), has grown exponentially from our 2013-2014 pilot year. We began by offering seven residencies at five schools, covering topics from landforms to place value. By the end of this year, we implemented 39 residencies at 30 elementary schools across Alief, Fort Bend, Spring and Houston Independent School Districts, a growth of more than 450 percent. We have covered core STEM concepts, such as physical properties of matter, math problem-solving strategies, and the process of photosynthesis, as well as literacy topics related to reading comprehension.

Each piece of curriculum is designed specifically for the individual schools based on chosen core standards. Pre- and post-assessments are created using STAAR-based questions to evaluate knowledge and vocabulary retention. The resulting assessment data is shared with each campus team and used to improve future curriculum.

During a two-week residency in Fort Bend ISD, second grade classes learned about the properties of matter. Students became molecules bunching close together as a solid, gliding slowly past each other in liquid form and moving around frantically to represent a gas. After reviewing pre- and post-assessments, overall content knowledge retention increased by almost 20 percent and relevant vocabulary retention increased by 46 percent.

The data shows that when properly implemented, high-quality theatre arts integration programs have a powerful impact on young learners.


SPOTLIGHT ON HERRERA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL We had a busy year working in partnership with Herrera Elementary, a forward-thinking school whose leadership values both academics and the arts. Our collaboration with Herrera began during our first Staging STEM residencies in 2013-2014. Encouraged by its success, Herrera implemented four Staging STEM residencies in the 2014-2015 school year, teaching reading comprehension skills, organisms and their environments, and mathematical problem-solving skills to 513 students in 24 classrooms from second through fifth grade.

Herrera Elementary also hosted two performances of our new school touring show, Oskar and the Curiously Colorful Clash! Through Oskar’s wacky world, 850 students learned about diversity and experienced the art of live theatre – many for the very first time.

The learning experience was significant for my class as they

are indeed integrating the knowledge learned as we move forward.

– Robin Westphal, 2nd Grade Teacher, Herrera Elementary

OSKAR AND THE CURIOUSLY COLORFUL CLASH! Alley Shows for Kids’ World Premiere

I feel this presentation effectively addressed the rather difficult issue of cultural/racial diversityat an age appropriate level. It was humorous

and kept the kids’ attention while also reinforcing the important lesson of remaining

true to one’s own identity. Great show!

– Mary Impelman, PTO Cultural Arts Coordinator, Summerwood Elementary

I feel this presentation effectively addressed the rather difficult issue of cultural/racial diversityat an age appropriate level. It was humorous

reinforcing the important lesson of remaining

The Alley was proud to offer Greater Houston elementary schools two Alley Shows for Kids (ASK). Early this season, the Alley remounted its popular, sold-out tour of Oskar and the Big Bully Battle! This comic assembly helped 19,397 students at 32 schools understand the multiple perspectives involved in an escalating bullying incident.

Oskar and the Curiously Colorful Clash! was developed for local elementary schools this winter to help students understand and embrace diversity. The play is set

in Oskar’s hometown, Orange Hat, Texas, where literally everything is orange, from hats to food. Then, Billy, from Blue Hat, Texas moves to town with his big blue hat. Not knowing how to deal with difference, Oskar refuses to associate with this newcomer. As the show unfolds, Oskar must learn to develop empathy skills and appreciate others for their differences when he is chosen as Billy’s teammate for the town’s annual contest. Oskar and the Curiously Colorful Clash! toured 57 schools, serving 33,384 students.

Big Bully Battle 19,397 51 32

Curiously Colorful 33,384 83 57Clash

TOTAL 52,781 134 89

STUDENTS ASSEMBLIES SCHOOLVISITS



RE-SOURCED– a GROUNDBREAKING Web Technology Platform for Theatre Arts Education To bring Oskar’s lessons about cultural empathy and diversity to life in the classroom, we launched AlleyRe-Sourced.com — an online educational and dramaturgical platform that brings interactive study guides directly into the classroom.

This easy-to-use online companion can be accessed using any digital platform, including iPads and SMART boards. Teachers of all grade levels can browse the website to access a wide range of educational resources including creative worksheets and activities, kid-friendly definitions, a sequencing map of the play and articles about teaching diversity in the classroom from trusted experts. The popular Stage Craft page features videos by the cast and crew explaining the play and how it was created.

To assess the efficacy of this new tool we developed an online survey, with 158 principals and teachers responding from 89 schools. Of the teachers who used the platform,

98 percent “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that they

could access the digital guide easily, use the guide with a smart board or available classroom technology and access the links in the guide easily. They also thought the site was easy to follow, targeted students’ educational needs and provided a grade-appropriate experience.

By moving to an online study guide, we are able to use Google Analytics to measure the usage and effectiveness of our support materials, making it an extremely valuable tool for us as well. While the average time in the U.S. spent on any webpage is 20 seconds, our average page view is over one minute. Top Re-Sourced users returned to the site multiple times and spent over 30 minutes exploring content.

With Re-Sourced, the Alley Theatre brings Houston schools the latest in 21st century interactive arts education.

– Screenshot from the Oskar resource page on AlleyRe-Sourced.com

School-wide multi-residency partnerships in middle and high schools deepened this year and will expand by 33 percent next year. And we have a waiting list already! In collaboration with the Alley Theatre’s education staff, drama and English departments at our Partner Schools craft an arts education action plan that complements and enhances academic curriculum. Schools have access to a broad slate of workshops, including the 360° Residencies in Shakespeare, Movement, Playwriting and Slam Poetry. This year we added “Aristotle to Sophocles: The Genesis of Theatre,” and expanded our “Theatre Through the Ages” curriculum to include Theatre of the Absurd, Comedy of Manners, Commedia Dell’Arte, Realism and Neo-Futurism.

PARTNER SCHOOL PROGRAM

PARTNER SCHOOLS

Contact Hours 110,333 Students 4,034 Classes 883 Residencies 113

NON-PARTNER SCHOOLS

Contact Hours 64,662 Students 1,313 Classes 339 Residencies 27

2014-2015 PARTNER SCHOOLS

Carnegie Vanguard High School(Houston ISD)

Humble High School (Humble ISD)George Bush High School

(Fort Bend ISD)Gregory Lincoln Middle School

(Houston ISD)Cornerstone Academy

(Spring Branch ISD) Reagan High School (Houston ISD)Austin High School (Houston ISD)Sharpstown High School

(Houston ISD)High School for the Performing

and Visual Arts (Houston ISD)

Alley teaching artists work closely with school leaders to design and monitor the progress of each Partner School. Our work helps students build self-confidence and hone skills they will use for the rest of their lives, such as effective communication, working as a team, problem solving and conflict management.

The added value to our program is that schools not enrolled can book residencies developed in the program, thereby reaching even more students with core-curriculum based theatre arts education.



SPOTLIGHT ON REAGAN HSReagan High School has been an Alley Partner School for the past six years and has eagerly and fully participated in every program presented. They have been the quintessential “good partner” and were the first to sign on to our new Partner program that includes both the English and drama departments. This year, we provided more than 150 classes to 1,200+ students and 23 teachers at Reagan on Shakespeare, Slam Poetry, Aristotle to Sophocles, Playwriting 360, Improvisation and Monologue 101.

The Alley Partner School Program enhances the creative writing curriculum and provides Reagan High School students with invaluable

opportunities and exposure to professional writers and actors. This is our sixth year in partnership

with the Alley and the programs have put Reagan on a national stage (through Slam 360) and

allowed our students to showcase their creative talents throughout the city of Houston. The

programs offered not only support essential TEKS, but also help educators in their own craft.

– Natalie Martinez, ELA Instructional Coach/ ELA I and Creative Writing,

Reagan High School

One thing I learned from this program: “Don’t be afraid of who you are.”

“Try something new even if you are afraid.

– Cornerstone Middle School Student

Being able to express my opinion through poetry molded a thousand

perspectives for my heart to embrace.– Reagan High School Student

SLAM POETS @ ALLEY THEATRE Our popular Slam Poetry Artist-in-Residence Program helps teens tell their

stories over the course of a 10-12 day period. When shared, these stories deepen mutual understanding and spark community dialogue. Our goal is to teach students the vital skills necessary to nurture and discover their own dynamic voices. We want to instill in students the courage to articulate and defend their most personal ideas and experiences in a public forum. In doing so, the Alley Theatre helps students become effective and creative communicators throughout their lives.

Our thriving partnership with the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department continued this year with Slam Poetry residencies at two juvenile detention centers that delivered 46 classes and 3,174 contact hours for 69 at-risk teens. The feedback from probation officers has been very positive, noting improvements in attitude, self-expression and study habits in particular.

The Slam Poets @ Alley Theatre Poetry Slam is traditionally held on the Alley’s Neuhaus Stage. Due to the theatre’s renovation this year, our Fall Poetry Slam was hosted by our partners at HSPVA and our Spring Slam was hosted by Stages Repertory Theatre, giving poets the

opportunity to compete for coveted spots on state and national Slam Poets teams.

28 RESIDENCIES

CONTACT HOURS

Students32,458884

Classes

218



During the final phase of this three-year grant, teachers have begun creating culminating projects at their schools using arts-integration techniques. The Alley was also invited to present multiple professional development workshops at the Houston Arts Partners Conference in September, which was attended by more than 1,000 Houston teachers and administrators.

Growth in Professional DevelopmentDistricts across the city have begun to seek us out for teacher professional development. A cohort of 14 theatre and speech teachers from Lamar Consolidated ISD participated in a full-day session on topics ranging from language and sound in Shakespeare, to an exploration of Viewpoints, a movement technique, to techniques for integrating other core content in their classrooms. Twenty five Cypress-Fairbanks ISD’s theatre teachers hosted Alley teaching artists at an after-school workshop early in the school year. Due to the increased demand for on-campus professional development, we expect continued growth in this area. We also presented workshops on Staging STEM and Absurdist Theatre to 85 visiting teachers from across the state at the Texas Education Theatre Association annual meeting.


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Changing the Face of Education

Yesterday, in my World History inclusion class, we did a similar version of the “Zoom, Bop, Zap” activity that we learned from our Professional

Development Session with the Alley Theatre. The activity was to chronicle the story of Henry VII, discuss the impact of the events, and parallel their

practices to present time… [it] was a story-telling, role-playing and debate activity rolled into one. The activity was very effective

in getting students focused and interested in the topic.

– Houston ISD CAPP Professional Development Participant

Houston Independent School DistrictWith funding from the U. S. Department of Education, the Alley Theatre joined other major arts organizations in offering professional development for HISD teachers from low-arts schools. Groups of 40 to 50 educators in math, history, English and science met quarterly for teacher trainings that showed them how to integrate theatre arts into the classroom. These three-hour sessions were followed two weeks later by a webinar in which teachers

shared their experiences. One participant, who identified himself as “Geek4Sience”, told us, “It was quite enlightening, especially when I allowed my students to act out the life cycle of a star. They really enjoyed acting it out. I believe it will be something that they will remember for a lifetime!”


VSA Playwright Discovery Program

It is a rare, wonderful opportunity for my seniors to interact with an arts expert

from the real world and have their writing taken seriously. It

is wonderful to see the changes when a playwright comes in

the room. They are more adult, more serious, more focused. The teaching artist’s response to their work has really improved their

writing.

– Orlean Anderson, The Briarwood School, Teacher

The 2014-2015 season marked Alley Education and Community Engagement’s first year of participation in the Very Special Artist (VSA) Playwright Discovery Program. A contract from The John F. Kennedy Center allowed Alley teaching artists to provide playwriting instruction to students with learning differences at The Briarwood School and The Joy School. Our work focused on giving students an opportunity to speak about their learning differences or disabilities through metaphoric or literal playwriting. Playwriting residencies culminated in a showcase of the students’ work performed by local actors. We also worked with the UTHealth Mitochondrial Center of Excellence, to help families facing

mitochondrial disease explore their experience through storytelling. Our work with these families culminated in a special camp where they explored the art of storytelling through playmaking and video production.

As part of the VSA Playwright Discovery Program, 16 Alley teaching artists also received professional development trainings to better acquaint them with the disability experience and address issues faced in the creative process. The program’s success has inspired the Joy School and Briarwood School to join our School Partner Program and explore further arts education opportunities with the Alley Theatre.

Students 100VSAClasses 46

Teaching Artists Trained 16

Number of Trainings 5ProfessionalDevelopment Hours 176

Contact Hours 1,400

HYPEHouston Young Playwrights Exchange (HYPE) cultivates and showcases the talents of local teen playwrights. More than 160 students submitted 10-minute plays this year, and six were selected to be part of the HYPE 2014 workshops. Throughout the summer, the HYPE playwrights continued developing their scripts with intensive workshops under the guidance of Alley teaching artist Elizabeth Keel, a professional playwright, and Joshua Hardcastle, ECE Dramaturg and Curriculum Specialist. The workshops culminated with staged readings of the playwrights’ works directed and cast with working theatre professionals.

2014 HYPE PLAYWRIGHTSAspen Graves, BruisesNathan Murphy, EnolaViviel Bohler, The Opposite of HomeDesiree Gonzales, VengeanceScott Lathrom, Finishing the FightKyle Legacion, 24/7

With not a lot of playwriting experience, I first pictured HYPE to be a very serious

and intimidating process, but I soon discovered that it was very open, exciting, creative and fun, while still holding a professional environment. I

loved this experience and would recommend it to everyone, no

matter what area of theatre or art they come from.

–Viviel Bohler, 2014 HYPE Playwright

6 STUDENTS

528 CONTACT HOURS

8 DAYS 2 WEEKSHYPE


ALLEY PLAY MAKERSPlay Makers is a theatre and playwriting camp for children Kindergarten-8th grade focused on integrating science and theatre. Campers rotate through classes in movement, acting, playmaking and crafts taught by teaching artists. In their evaluation forms, 99 percent of parents gave the overall educational experience the highest rating and say they will spread the word to others. Camp enrollments continue to increase, with Spring Break Camp up by 25 percent.

Our model strives to bring playwriting skills and science concepts to life as campers create plays based on curriculum themes such as precipitation, the life cycle of the butterfly and climate change. For example, students created a story called Pac Man vs. the Food Chain, which increased excitement for the theatre and knowledge of how we affect the environment. Children went home

with new vocabulary and gestures for science and theatre concepts. They will be learning in the

classroom, giving them a jumpstart to the school year.

The Alley is encouraging campers to see science in a new light and continue learning new skills when they are away from school. The theatre lessons of confidence and

teamwork will last a lifetime, whether campers grow up to become scientists,

actors or business leaders.

He loved it! And it has ‘soul’ compared to other summer programs he has attended. It

puts a sparkle in my eye.

– Play Makers Parent

It has helped my daughter with her timidity.It has opened up her social skills and reinforced

her love of dance and acting.

– Play Makers Parent



ALLEY CONSERVATORYFollowing the success of last year’s inaugural program, Alley Conservatory 2014 brought together a select group of 31 middle and high school artists from the Houston area — a 48 percent increase in participation from the previous year. These promising young artists auditioned for the opportunity to receive five weeks of intense training in acting, voice, playwriting and movement with Alley Theatre teaching artists and Resident Company members with the goal of creating an original piece of theatre. Guiding these students through the writing, refining and production process, Conservatory trained the next generation of theatre artists to explore and express their views of society and the world around us. The perspectives shared by the 2014 ensemble were as diverse as the members themselves, reflecting different socio-economic backgrounds and family situations. In addition to refining theatre skills, Conservatory students had a chance to meet and be mentored by Alley Theatre directors and professional artists. Conservatory culminated in an original production — EpistemologicalBREAK. Performed in special partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, E-BREAK was an immersive theatre piece that guided large supportive audiences through the MFAH, exploring the role of art in the digital age.

I learned that I have been working on the perimeter of my comfort zone, but now I

am working fully outside the box.

– Monet, Conservatory Student

The best thing about Conservatorywas that it gave me an innovative,

post-modern template for new ideas.

– Peter, Conservatory Student

31 STUDENTS 6,200 HOURS OFI N S T R U C T I O N

25 DAYS 5 WEEKS


COMMUNITY SERVICES

Discussion NightsAs part of its mission, the Alley also provides a forum for theatre’s original purpose—discussion! Over the course of the season, we invited audiences to join us in a series of informal dialogues about our work on the stage. Among the topics discussed were the Wounded Warrior and the American Dream in Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, the geocentric world in Horton Foote’s small town Texas drama, The Old Friends, and the out-of-the box stagecraft in Kneehigh’s Tristan & Yseult.

University of Houston OutreachThe Alley Theatre’s production and artistic staff was very active during our partnership with University of Houston providing the theatre department with master classes in Stage Management and Stage Craft; and Backstage Tours of the sets for: Dracula with Alfred Gory’s remarkable original black and white set designs from the Broadway Production; the Alley’s beloved tradition A Christmas Carol; and Arthur Miller’s extraordinary tale of the American Spirit, All My Sons. Award-winning set designer Hugh Landwehr gave master classes to the graduate design class as did Broadway star, Betty Buckley and renowned English actor Julian Sands. Members from our production staff, from our general manager to our operations director, interacted with the university as we made the campus our home-away-from-home during the landmark renovation of our flagship theatre.

Cotter Smith as Howard Ratliff, Betty Buckley as Gertrude Hayhurst Sylvester Ratliff and Jay Sullivan as Tom Underwood in The Old Friends.

2014-2015 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND VOLUNTEERS

These PROGRAMS SERVED 12,923 college students, individuals

and patrons through 338,277 hours of contact with Alley Theatre

programming.Josie de Guzman as Kate Keller and James Black as Joe Keller in All My Sons.

The Company of As You Like It.


ALLEY INTERNSHIPSOur thriving internship program offers current students and recent graduates valuable experience in theatre, arts administration or non-profit marketing and management. Over the course of the 2014-2015 season, 22 interns worked at the Alley to increase their skill-sets, sharpen their business acumen and absorb professional theatre techniques.

As a theatre education major, I left the Play Makers camp with so much more experience

and confidence than I could ever have imagined. I became the leader that I never knew I could be.

– Mason Patterson, University of Houston, Education and Community Engagement Intern

The internship was a unique experience that taught me a lot about the world of theatre; I learned about

fundraising, created professional relationships, and broadened my

knowledge of the arts world from a business standpoint.

– Emily Elmore, Emerson University, Development Intern


ASSESSMENTS AND MEASUREMENTSThis year, we added some valuable tools to our assessment process. Feedback (both verbal and written) from teachers, students, teaching artists and community partners plays an important role in shaping the content of each Alley Theatre Education and Community Engagement program. To measure student engagement, skills, collaboration and classroom climate, we continue to align our teaching rubric with Project Zero’s Qualities of Quality Report, Studio Thinking’s 8 Studio Habits of Mind, Thriving Mind’s 6 Dimensions of Quality and the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. With these tools we are able to assess anecdotally as well as statistically.

For each visit and residency, our Alley teaching artists convey a clear understanding of their expectations in the classroom and work in tandem with teachers to design curriculum that aligns with the Texas Education Agency (TEKS) curriculum guidelines. We gather feedback from teachers and students, teaching artists, and administrators through pre- and post-assessment questionnaires, testimonials

Curriculum New to Students2nd Grade Science Classes

All Teacher-Identified Review Curriculum5th Grade Math and Science Classes

and artifacts (e.g. pictures and portfolios) that demonstrate learning. Last year, the ECE staff designed assessments that complement the new HISD TIFF 4 STEM curriculum. Our work was reviewed to ensure that the objectives met district and state requirements. Pre-and post-assessment on core curriculum vocabulary and abstract concepts, such as the example below, is essential to the critical success and rapid acceptance of the Staging STEM program. For each of our 39 Staging STEM residencies we administered a pre- and post-TEKS assessment and provided each teacher with a graph of their students’ growth during the residence. We also compute a whole school average that is shared with everyone including the principal.

To gauge their effectiveness in meeting the TEKS requirements for high school curriculums, ECE staff relies on project evaluations by students and teachers as well as anecdotal evidence, such as testimonials from educators and audience responses from readings of student plays.

Pre-Assessment Post Assessment

70%

89%

51%

66%59%

84%

62%

77%

MATH TEK 5.6A-

Calculating Volume

MATH TEK 5.3J-

Dividing Fractions

MATH TEK 5.6A-

Volume withMissing Values

SCI TEK 5.6-Light

Refraction

TEK 2.5C-Materials

84%

60% 60%

14%

TEK 2.5A-Physical Properties

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

Photos by: John Everett, Josh Hardcastle, Diana Mumford, and Cressandra Thibodeaux

Alley Theatre helps students bring subject area content to life using interactive games and

exercises to increase student learning as they make connections with real life experiences

– Shenique Spears, Principal, Quail Valley Elementary SchoolFort Bend ISD Pilot site for Staging STEM

Applied Theatre at the [email protected]

713.315.5424

Alley Theatre Education & Community Engagement 2014 15 Annual Report

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