Education & Outreach

Stageworks Education Outreach, as the name implies, reaches out into our community to deliver performing arts programming to underserved populations. Education Outreach programs bridge the gaps between what at risk youth need and what schools and other sites can provide by working with our community partners to create customized programs that address the challenges specific to their unique population, whether it be low-income students, youth in juvenile detention, domestic abuse shelters, foster care or youth with mental health challenges.

Supported by grants and donations to Stageworks, these programs are taught by professional teaching artists with the goal of fostering healthy communication, positive social interaction and improved mental health.

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Math Music Bucket Drumming

A Stageworks teaching artist teaches percussion to young students by using a method that conveys the concepts of rhythm through mathematics. This creative and educational outlet reinforces basic math skills and channels youthful energy, improves focus and interpersonal skills, improves focus and interpersonal skill of participants. 

Focus Area(s): Educational institutions 

Ages: Elementary – Middle School

Duration: 8-12 Weeks

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Heart Beat Bucket Drumming

Drumming, taught by Stageworks Master Teacher, can be a therapeutic outlet as well as a means of self-expression. Research suggests that certain mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms can be improved by drumming.  Among children and young adults, drumming improves self-control and the management of anger and aggression. It can improve mindfulness and interpersonal connection.  Anyone can benefit from this drumming program, but it is especially effective with at risk youth.

Focus Area(s): Juvenile Detention Centers, Veterans, Mental Health Facilities

Ages:  Elementary, Middle, and High School, Young Adult 

Duration: 8-12 Weeks

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Improvisation Drama

Working with a master teacher and professional actor, students learn the basics of dramatic improvisation and stage acting. to create, develop and stage their own theatrical performance. This specialized training fosters the development of important social skills (communication and conflict resolution skills).

Ages: Elementary, Middle, and High School, Adult

Duration: 12 Weeks

Community Partners: Academy Prep of Tampa, Academy Prep of Lakeland and East Tampa Academy

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Storybook Drama

It all begins with a book. A Stageworks teaching artist, using imaginative play, and acting, guides youngsters into creating their own theatrical version of a favorite book. A fun program that fosters creative problem solving and reinforces literacy skills.

Ages: Elementary, Middle, and High School

Duration: 12 Weeks

Community partners: East Tampa Academy

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Team Challenge Youth Team Building

Team building is a natural benefit of both drama and drumming. The Team Challenge workshop explicitly cultivates collaboration, communication and leadership development through exercises rooted in the performing arts (rhythm, drama, music dance) as well as more traditional team building challenges.

Ages: Elementary and Middle School

Duration: 8-10 weeks

Community partners: Academy Prep of Tampa

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Share Our Stories

Telling your own story can be powerful. Our teaching artist guides participants in the writing process, helping them shape their personal narratives into a performance piece centered on a collective theme. These pieces are then staged and performed by either the author or a professional actor.

Ages: Elementary, Middle, and High School

Focus Area(s): LGBTQIA+, Mental Health and Foster Care Support

Stageworks Touring the Schools

In addition to performing arts workshops, Stageworks is also able to offer educational touring shows through the Hillsborough County Schools Artist is Schools Program.

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Hispanic American Greats (Available Fall semester)

This program features two professional actors who will perform monologues as the following notables of Hispanic American History: Ellen Ochoa, Sonia Sotomayor, Jaime Escalante, and Jose Marti. These exceptional individuals struggled to overcome prejudice and racial barriers to excel in their chosen fields: the judiciary system (Sotomayor), education (Escalante), science and research (Ochoa) as well as using their talents to promote democratic revolution and advance civil rights (Marti) After the program, there will be a “talk back” during which the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions and share their reactions with the actors.

 Grade Level: 6-12

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African American Greats (Available Winter semester)

This program features two professional actors who will perform monologues as notables of African American History: Mary McLeod Bethune, Dr. Charles Drew, Madam C.J. Walker, Berry Gordy, Mae Jemison, and Garrett Morgan,. These exceptional individuals struggled to overcome prejudice and racial barriers to excel in their chosen fields: education (McLeod Bethune), science and research (Drew), invention (Morgan), business and philanthropy (Walker), and music (Gordy) as well as using their talents to break color barriers and advance civil rights. After the program, there will be a “talk back” during which the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions and share their reactions with the actors.

Grade level: 6-12

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Central Avenue (Available Spring)

Experience the history of Tampa’s Central Avenue Business District through the stories of notable community leaders.  Perry Harvey, Sr., Blanche Armwood, Henry Joyner, Sarah Jackson Robinson and Robert Saunders share their stories and life insights as the play explores the importance of education, entrepreneurship, entertainment and civic engagement in the growth and development of Tampa.   

Grade level: 4-6

Become a Community Partner

Please fill out the form below to get in touch about becoming a community partner with us. After submission, someone from our team will contact you as soon as possible. Thank you for your interest in Stageworks Theatre.

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