Supporting pupil engagement in dwell theater because it fosters lasting relationships between the 2 is the concept behind the American Repertory Theater’s Lavine Studying Lab. The brand new pupil initiative will, amongst different workouts, carry taking part public highschool college students to a night efficiency of each present within the firm’s season.
Rooted in A.R.T.’s core values of inquiry and collaboration, the Lavine Studying Lab makes use of A.R.T. productions as the inspiration for pupil workshops that bridge the humanities, humanities, and social and emotional studying, fostering lasting relationships between the theater and its younger viewers.
“The theater is the place we develop our muscle mass for inquiry, empathy, and debate,” mentioned Creative Director Diane Paulus ’88. “The Lavine Studying Lab can be a gymnasium the place highschool college students will come to train their humanity to allow them to change into probably the most impactful residents and individuals in our society.”
“The lab’s college students will diversify A.R.T.’s viewers in a number of dimensions, turning our theater into an area for intergenerational dialogue amongst folks with totally different lived experiences and views.”
Dayron J. Miles, A.R.T. affiliate inventive director
For every manufacturing, college students take part in an introductory in-school workshop centered across the manufacturing’s “Important Questions”; a pre-show workshop at A.R.T., held alongside a second Studying Lab college, exploring one of many manufacturing’s themes or components, adopted by dinner and a efficiency; and a post-show, in-school student-led workshop for college kids to unpack their very own views and people of others.
As well as, two educators from every taking part college be part of a Skilled Studying Neighborhood through which A.R.T. facilitates ongoing collaborative studying and supplies skilled improvement.
An vital side of this system is Studying Lab college students will attend night performances of each present in A.R.T.’s season — as an alternative of morning matinees historically designated for varsity teams. College students will sit in teams of two to 4, alongside the overall night viewers.
College students at a pre-show workshop with “Romeo and Juliet” actor Alex Ross.
Credit score A Priori Pictures
“After we attend a efficiency, we aren’t impacted solely by what we see onstage, but additionally by our fellow viewers members,” mentioned A.R.T. Affiliate Creative Director Dayron J. Miles. “The lab’s college students will diversify A.R.T.’s viewers in a number of dimensions, turning our theater into an area for intergenerational dialogue amongst folks with totally different lived experiences and views. Empathy is a essential device for accountable democratic participation, and that’s what we will domesticate with this mannequin.”
Night attendance additionally builds familiarity with theatergoing and sense of belonging on the theater to domesticate a tradition of lifelong theatergoing. To extend accessibility by eradicating widespread boundaries, A.R.T. supplies transportation between the faculties and the theater and a pre-show dinner onsite.
The Lavine Studying Lab is supported by a $5 million present from the Crimson Lion / Lavine Household Basis, which was based by Bain Capital Chair Jonathan Lavine, M.B.A. ’92, and Jeannie Lavine ’88, M.B.A. ’92, to assist nonprofit organizations centered on leveling the enjoying discipline for people and households.
“We’ve been struck by A.R.T.’s dedication to increasing entry to theater,” mentioned Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine in an announcement. “We’re delighted to play an element in partaking Boston’s college students and lecturers within the important questions sparked by A.R.T.’s world-class programming and in supporting A.R.T., whose work evokes folks all all through our metropolis and this nation.”
The Studying Lab exemplifies the kind of community-centered, accessible programming A.R.T. will supply from its new house, the David E. and Stacey L. Goel Heart for Creativity & Efficiency. Presently beneath building at 175 N. Harvard St. within the Allston neighborhood of Boston, the middle is anticipated to be accomplished within the fall of 2026.
A.R.T. facilitated a pilot with six public excessive faculties throughout the 2023-2024 college yr to develop the present mannequin.
“I really feel like a whole lot of my analytical abilities have been bolstered and retaught within the Studying Lab, however I’ve additionally taken the vulnerability that I really feel once I’m within the lab and utilized it to different elements of my life,” mentioned Malden Excessive Faculty pupil and pilot and Studying Lab participant Addison McWayne. “This expertise has supplied me with alternatives to talk up for myself and to share my opinion, which has made me a stronger and extra assured particular person.”
“The lab is without doubt one of the ways in which A.R.T. shares the assets of Harvard College with our group, however the A.R.T. group beneficial properties a lot, too,” mentioned Dinkins. “The scholars carry their anticipation and pleasure, which interprets right into a galvanizing power on the sidewalk, in our lobbies, and within the theater itself that enhances the expertise for everybody. Due to this unbelievable assist from the Crimson Lion / Lavine Household Basis, A.R.T. is positioned to carry our mission into public excessive faculties throughout Boston for years to come back.”
“When the Lavine Studying Lab works in Boston, we hope will probably be a mannequin for different cities, as a result of A.R.T. has led the way in which in so many areas, and A.R.T. can assist paved the way in offering this sort of entry and inspiration to college students all around the nation,” mentioned the Lavines.
