TEACHING STRATFORD PROGRAM
PROGRAM DETAILS
The Teaching Stratford Program (TSP) is a three-part program is open to K-12 teachers in both Canada and the United States. For just the cost of a student matinee, teachers work with Festival teaching artists to explore how active and innovative approaches can make the work on our stages accessible and highly engaging to students.
- Part 1: FREE Professional Learning & Previewing Performances (August 17-19 in Stratford)
- Part 2: Student Matinees + FREE InterACTive Preshow/Post-Show Chat (September-October in Stratford)
- Part 3: FREE Pre- or Post-Show Workshops (September-November in your Classroom)
Key Dates:
- February 26: Early Bird pricing ends
- July 8: Registration Closes
- August 17-19: Professional Learning & Preview Performances in Stratford
- September 23: Student Matinee Booking Deadline
To Register:
Book your spot in the program with a deposit ($299 I $279 Early Bird) no later than July 17. Your registration deposit is used to reserve your spot and will be applied to your ticket order once you have booked the school matinee for your students.
If you do not book a field trip for your students, the deposit will be applied as an auditing fee for your professional learning and previewing performances in August.
A day rate of $149 is available for the Professional Learning & Previewing Performances on August 17, 18 or 19. To participate in just one day, please select your desired date when booking the program. Day rate participants are not eligible for Parts 2 and 3 of the program.
COST: $299 + tax
Early bird rate ends February 26: $279 + tax
Day Rate: $149 + tax
Register by July 8. Space is limited.
Available Performances for August Previews and Student Matinees:
All in the Telling, Anne of Green Gables*, Almighty Voice and His Wife, Chicago, Hamlet, Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, Mary Poppins, The Merchant of Venice, Playing Shylock, and The Taming of the Shrew.
*Begins previews September 2, so is unavailable to preview August 17-19, but can still be included in the program.
TSP Professional Learning and Previewing Performances Itinerary:
August 17
9:15 to 10 a.m. Registration & Welcome
10 a.m. to noon Choice of Workshops:
- Musical Theatre I: Building Confidence
This stream is designed for educators newer to working in musical theatre and is applicable to all levels. Learn foundational techniques and practical exercises for building ensemble, trust and visual storytelling, focusing on teaching musical theatre to students with limited dance and vocal experience. Leave with ready-to-use resources and techniques to guide students through the engaging world of musical theatre.
- Musical Theatre II: Building the Craft
With a focus on leadership, assessment and a more expansive approach, this stream is designed for experienced musical theatre educators looking to deepen their expertise in directing and/or music directing musicals. Elevate your approach to collaboration across your leadership team with a focus on how to best support student leaders in key onstage and behind-the-scenes roles.
Noon Lunch (provided)
1:30 p.m. Choice of performances: Mary Poppins OR The Taming of the Shrew OR All in the Telling
5 to 7 p.m. Social
7:30 p.m. Choice of performances: Chicago OR Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang
August 18
9:30 to 10 a.m. Plenary Session & Coffee
10 a.m. to noon Choice of Workshops:
- From Text to Table:
Led by a professional director, this workshop invites participants to work through the earliest stages of a rehearsal. With a focus on artistic process, collaboration and clear storytelling, learn key skills about how to approach Shakespeare from a text-first, actor’s perspective with the aim of then sharing these with your students.
- Exploring Shakespeare Today:
Using examples and excerpts from the three 2027 Shakespeare productions – Hamlet, The Taming of the Shrew and The Merchant of Venice – this workshop invites participants to explore some of Shakespeare’s most complex, debated and – in some cases, villainized – characters and to examine how they appear in our lives today. With an emphasis on Shakespeare in performance and an actor’s approach to understanding, we explore why we still tell these stories and how young people might see themselves reflected today.
Noon Lunch (provided)
1:30 p.m. Choice of performances: Hamlet OR Playing Shylock OR Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang
5 to 7 p.m. Social
7:30 p.m. Choice of performances: Chicago OR The Merchant of Venice OR Almighty Voice and His Wife
August 19
9:30 to 10 a.m. Plenary Session & Coffee
10 a.m. to noon Choice of Workshops:
- Careers in Technical Theatre:
Engage with professionals to gain a behind-the-scenes perspective on the technical side of theatre including lighting, sound, scenic artistry, automation and stage management. Through a combination of demonstration, practical exercises and backstage touring, learn more about the training and practices involved in this work with the aim of deepening understanding and finding ways to open up these pathways for students.
- Student Voice through Playwriting:
Designed for both novice and experienced writers, work with professional playwrights to discover tools to find creative voice, develop story structure, move through “writer’s block” and build confidence. Experiment with different writing styles and genres and learn new creative writing pedagogy to bring back to your teaching practice.
Noon Lunch (provided)
1:30 p.m. Choice of performances: Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang OR Hamlet OR Almighty Voice and His Wife
7:30 p.m. Choice of performances: Mary Poppins OR All in the Telling