Since 2009, Galileo’s AP Literature class has had the opportunity to experience going to various plays and musicals at the SF Playhouse. This has been made possible through the “Rising Star Program”, where generous donors help 10-50 students from high schools around the Bay Area attend 4 shows during the school year.
AP Literature teacher, Ms. Maroun, who was one of the first educators to participate in the Rising Star Program, believes attending these plays helps students more clearly see the elements of drama in action and themes being played out, rather than simply being implied by reading.
“It [The plays] offers students an opportunity to see the plays we read in AP Literature, and see them in action, since plays are typically meant to be seen in performance. I just can’t imagine anything better than to see a performance in action and the words come to life,” says Ms. Maroun.
The program was specifically introduced to help Bay Area students who aren’t familiar with attending theater productions in a professional setting be able to attend them without any costs, especially individuals who were interested in theatre. Ms Maroun says, “It was like for a new generation, I was so excited to apply and miraculously I got accepted.”
These students are funded by grants from The Michelson Family Foundation and The Kimball Foundation, along with donations from SF Playhouse subscribers who pay an extra $100 to sponsor a student. After the show, students are required to write and mail their thank you letters to their donors within a week of attending the show.
When an opportunity to attend a play happens, students are first given information about the content of the play/musical in their class and prompted to sign up before a certain date, then actually attend the performance, and lastly are able to have a talk-back or a Q&A with some of the actors/actresses.
Senior Megan L. says, “I always get an increase in nostalgia going to these plays, since I used to enjoy doing theater a lot, and I miss the stage work. My favorite part of the plays is the dedication that shows through the actor’s performances.” Another student, Shepard P. says, Going to the plays is something I personally had no experience with before attending the Rising Star program. Having this much exposure to so many amazing productions has been really eye opening and has made me see theater in a whole new light.”
