Classroom Connections
Classroom Connections is a four-part arts education experience offered by the Sunset Center to introduce students to the performing arts in a significant, hands-on process. The pre-performance workshop introduces students to the specific art discipline of the artist and prepares students for the artist visit. During the artist’s classroom activity, the students interact with the artists and participate in parts of the artistic process. Then they come to the Sunset Center for a special matinee performance, where the artistry they shared in the classroom is presented in a state-of-the-art theater. A final classroom visit will facilitate performance critiques and discussion.
How it works:
Visit 1. Preparing the Students
The Sunset Center Arts Education Outreach Coordinator discusses appropriate theater etiquette, prepares students for the artist's visit and presents a lesson of activities which include artistic perception, creative expression, and historical and cultural context.
Visit 2. Artists Visits the Classroom
The artist will illustrate the process of creating art in an interactive presentation which includes inspiration, conception, rehearsal and discussion.
Visit 3. Students and teachers go to Sunset Center
1-hour performance followed by a question-and-answer session.
Visit 4. Follow-up Lesson
Program coordinator returns to classroom to lead post-performance discussion of aesthetic valuing and follow-up lesson, as scheduling permits.
Additional information:
- All classroom lessons are approximately 45 minutes in length for grades K-5; 55 minutes grades 6-8; and 75 minutes grades 9-12.
- All Classroom Connections events are offered on a first-come, first-served basis including classroom visits and seating at the theater.
- Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before curtain time.
- Please plan for 1 teacher and 1 aide per classroom.
- All workshops are conducted in single classrooms with no “doubling up” permitted.
- There are no performances in schools.
- Schools are responsible for duplicating lesson plans and other support materials.
