Arts & Cultural Initiatives - Collaborations & Arts Access

All The World's A Stage... and everyone's a player

Friends of the Arts and Arts Initiatives at Abilities!, are collaborating with the Henry Viscardi School, Herricks Middle School and Stages of Learning for an exciting and innovative arts-in-education inclusive project - All The World's A Stage... and everyone's a player.

Now in its third year, this collaborative arts-in-education project involves sixth-graders from the Henry Viscardi School and sixth-graders from Herricks Middle School working together in a ten-session residency to bring scenes from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet from the page to the stage. Under the guidance of an artist-in-residence from Stages of Learning , students from both schools are learning to speak Shakespeare's language with meaning and understanding. The residency is taking place at the Smeal Learning Center at the Abilities! from October through December, and will culminate with a student presentation for parents and selected classes from both schools.

All The World's A Stage. is designed to use the performing arts as the vehicle to build a sense of community among the students, foster understanding and respect, teach students to accept diversity in thoughts and abilities. This unique arts experience provides students with different learning styles and abilities the opportunity to interact, communicate, and learn together while meeting NYS Learning Standards and expanding knowledge.

The rehearsal technique employed by Stages of Learning (formerly the Chekhov Theatre Ensemble) is unique in that students work in choral character teams, speaking the lines in unison. This technique develops confidence and provides the opportunity for all children to participate. According to Floyd Rumohr, Artistic Director of Stages of Learning, "Theatre is the most collaborative of art forms, and there's nothing like it for building community and increased understanding among seemingly different groups of people." The mission of Stages of Learning is to improve the educational success, social well-being, and potential for happiness of children, ages 8-13, through fun, kinesthetic theatre based activities.