A little over 20 years ago, an unusual educational institution opened in the Bronx. This is Bronx Theatre High School. It combines basic and theatrical education. Thus, talented and creative young people can realize themselves in their favorite area, while simultaneously gaining knowledge in basic school subjects. Discover more about the main principles, features of training and leisure at Bronx Theatre High School in this article on bronx-trend.
School’s goals and mission
Bronx Theatre High School is an educational institution specializing in theatrical and performing arts. At the same time, it does not lose the vector for obtaining basic secondary education. In addition to core subjects, students study basic sciences, mathematics, history, physics, etc. The teaching staff is focused on meeting the diverse needs of students: intellectual, social, emotional and physical, creating an environment that provides favorable conditions for the development of stage skills.
The main goal is to provide students with an active learning environment where mutual respect and exchange of ideas prevail and learning goes beyond the classroom. At the school, learning takes place not only in the classroom but also in theater studios, in the community and at various locations outside the institution. This allows one to diversify the educational process and increase interest in it.
The main goals of Bronx Theatre High School are:
- encouraging students to explore theater and the performing arts
- developing leadership qualities in students, creating conditions for leaving their comfort zone to temper strength of character and activate the ability to adapt to external conditions
- promoting academic success through activities that stimulate creative thinking and the development of cognitive skills
- supporting the professional development of teachers and administrators to improve the quality of teaching and involve students in discussions
- providing students with access to technologies used in theater production (costume sewing, set installation, lighting and sound equipment)
- providing the Regents/Advanced Regents diploma so that students have all the knowledge they need to enter college and build a successful career
- forming partnerships with the local community to create new opportunities for students and increase the school’s reputation.
Bronx Theatre High School is located on the border of the Marble Hill district in Manhattan and the Spuyten Duyvil district in the Bronx. Therefore, children from both these boroughs study here. The total number of students is about 450 and girls comprise the majority (70%).
The school opened in September 2003 with the support of the Roundabout Theater Company. Debi Effinger became the first director. At that time, 100 children were enrolled in classes. In 2007, the first Bronx Theatre High School graduation took place. Nowadays, the number of people wishing to study at this combined educational institution is several times greater.
Read the article about the development of theatrical art in the Bronx here.
Features of study at Bronx Theatre High School
How do teachers manage to combine boring and difficult sciences with the creative impulse of students? The secret is in a special approach to teaching the material. When drawing up the curriculum, teachers are guided by the production.
First, students start to prepare a certain performance. They work on the script, costumes, lines, choreography, etc. At the same time, during regular lessons, students study other disciplines, drawing parallels with the performance. In English, they analyze the features of the script text, repeating grammar, vocabulary and punctuation. In history, they return to the era in which the actions in the play take place. In geography lessons, they explore countries, continents and other geographical aspects in view of the plot of the production. Of course, not all lessons are always based purely on current productions. However, a lot of parallels are drawn between sciences and creativity, so students are always interested in the lessons.
The theater part of the program is divided into 4 main classes:
- Acting.
Mostly directors and acting teachers teach here. Children learn to control their body, emotions, facial expressions and feelings on stage. These lessons also include vocal and physical warm-ups, various games and activities.
- Costume design.
Studying human proportions, the basics of fine art, drawing, studying the laws of color, getting acquainted with different fabrics and sewing techniques are just a few aspects that students study. The creation of each costume is accompanied by studying the history of a particular era, drawing sketches, selecting colors and fabrics, making patterns, designing and sewing.
- Set design.
Students learn to create the most accurate visualization of the director’s idea. They work with space, light, sound and dynamics. This course actively develops spatial, abstract and logical thinking. It activates imagination and creative potential.
- Theater business.
Making a good production, sewing costumes and recreating harmonious scenography is good but not enough for the performance to become truly successful. After all, the main thing is to bring the audience to the theater. This is the art that is taught in this class. Students master skills to write a marketing strategy, calculate a budget, make advertising layouts and determine channels for promoting information about the performance. What is very valuable is that in the future they will be able to use this knowledge, adapting it to any other field.
The school’s tolerant policy
Shoundel McIntosh is the current principal of Bronx Theatre High School. She is a native of Guyana. The McIntosh family immigrated to the United States when she was 10 years old. Shoundel knows well what it is like to be different from others in terms of skin color, social status and nationality. Therefore, in her school, the principal places special emphasis on a tolerant attitude towards all minorities.
Shoundel McIntosh has extensive experience in various fields. Moreover, her path in education began with a position of increased complexity. McIntosh taught adults with developmental disabilities. Then, Shoundel taught health, biology, earth science, psychology, aerobics, ecology and epidemiology. She also served as dean, student affairs coordinator and assistant principal for nearly 10 years. She holds a bachelor of science degree in public health education and biology, a master of science degree in science education and a master of science degree in school administration and supervision. In 2002, Shoundel McIntosh was named Teacher of the Year. The principal of Bronx Theatre High School demonstrates that nothing is impossible and that an ordinary black immigrant girl can achieve great success.
The school’s tolerant policy was established even before McIntosh took over as principal. In 2013, the Black Pearl Program debuted here. This is an initiative aimed at educating and encouraging women of color to understand and accept themselves for who they are.
Within the framework of this program, various educational and practical classes are held: a study of the image of women in music videos, the key to healthy sexual relationships, the image of women around the world, the art of makeup, self-care rules, etc.
Leisure and partnership programs at Bronx Theatre High School
The school holds various optional classes every day. Among them are football, a social media club, guitar lessons, an anime and video game club, step aerobics, etc.
In addition, Bronx Theatre High School has many partners and friends in the city. Therefore, students often visit various theaters, cinemas, exhibitions, festivals, fashion shows and other interesting cultural events.
Read the article about the top theater venues in the Bronx here.
There are also separate long-term programs that involve Bronx Theatre High School’s students in various processes. An example is the school’s cooperation with the Enchanted Garden. It is a true oasis in the city, located on Tibbett Avenue south of West 230th Street in the Bronx. Bronx Theatre High School students explore the ecology of the garden and help maintain it. They grow fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers.
This is how students at Bronx Theatre High School learn in harmony with nature, art and science.
