Education and Engagement

_2018 MTI 2

Paris Richardson and ensemble in rehearsal for the final performance (devised and performed) by Goodman Theatre’s Musical Intensive program (August 11, 2018). GoodmanTheatre.org/MusicalTheaterFinal

Author: Goodman Education

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

Category: Publicity Images

_Hansberry Day 4

Mamie Hansberry and students from Hansberry College Prep at Lorraine Hansberry Day on May 19 at Goodman Theatre

Author: Liz Lauren

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

Category: Publicity Images

_Hansberry Day 3

The cast of The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window at Lorraine Hansberry Day on May 19 at Goodman Theatre

Author: Liz Lauren

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

Category: Publicity Images

_Hansberry Day 2

Chuck Smith at Lorraine Hansberry Day at Goodman Theatre on May 19

Author: Liz Lauren

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

Category: Publicity Images

_Hansberry Day 1

Mamie Hansberry (Playwright Lorraine Hansberry’s sister) at Lorraine Hansberry Day at Goodman Theatre

Author: Liz Lauren

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

Category: Publicity Images

_Alice 4

The Walter Family Foundation Lab in the Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement at Goodman Theatre

Author: Goodman Theatre/Erik Scanlon

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

Category: Publicity Images

_Alice 3

The Baskes Rotunda in the Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement at Goodman Theatre

Author: Goodman Theatre/Erik Scanlon

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

_Alice 2

The Clifford Family Lobby in the Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement at Goodman Theatre

Author: Goodman Theatre/Erik Scanlon

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

_Alice 1

Entrance to the Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement at Goodman Theatre

Author: Goodman Theatre

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

Willa Taylor

WILLA J. TAYLOR served as the Walter Director of Education and Community Engagement at Goodman Theatre from 2006 – 2023 where she collaborated with educators and community partners to transform learning and support equitable systemic change using arts-based strategies. She began her career in arts education at Arena Stage where, under founding director Zelda Fichandler, she established the Allen Lee Hughes Fellows Program—one of the first theater-run apprenticeships designed to increase participation by people of color in professional theater. She then went to Lincoln Center Theater where she created The Urban Ensemble, a multidisciplinary project that served at-risk youth. This collaboration between Lincoln Center and New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and The Public Theater was cited by President Clinton’s Council on the Arts and Humanities in its 1996 report, Coming Up Taller. At Lincoln Center, she consulted for New Victory Theatre, where she designed the arts education program for their inaugural season. Ms. Taylor also served as cultural director for Gay Games IV, where she oversaw the production of more than 200 cultural events, including the Broadway production of Sir Ian McKellen’s A Knight Out. In addition to a longtime career in the arts, Ms. Taylor brings to the Goodman a wealth of experience in other areas. For 12 years she served as a Russian and Arabic linguist in the U.S. Navy. While overseas, she oversaw productions for the United Service Organization in Greece and managed Armed Forces Radio and Television in Turkey where she created the Profiles in Black history series. Following her graduation from Kendall College’s culinary program in 2001, Taylor opened Taylor-Made Cuisine, a gourmet catering company as well as Home Café, a neighborhood bistro. In 2005, she helped open and served as the catering chef for Chicago’s EatZi’s Easygoing Gourmet, a chain of gourmet bakeries, take-out markets and restaurants based out of Dallas, Texas.

Author: Goodman Theatre

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

CONTEXT: Discourse & Discussion

A series designed to engage the community in debate, dialogue and a deeper dive into the themes within Goodman productions. Unlike a traditional post-show discussion that centers on the production, CONTEXT explores how issues raised within the play resonate in today’s culture.

Author: Goodman Education

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

Category: Publicity Images

GeNarrations

A writing workshop for adults aged 55+ in which participants develop personal narrative performance pieces based on themes raised by Goodman productions and performed in a public forum.

Author: Goodman Education

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

Goodman Youth Arts Council (GYAC)

A leadership development program that allows youth who’ve previously participated in the Goodman’s education programs (SSS, CBYC or PlayBuild Youth Intensive) to stay involved after they’ve aged out. Members act as ambassadors for the Goodman in their communities and schools and work to expose their peers to Goodman productions.

Author: Goodman Education

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

_2018 PlayBuild 2

(L to R) Gina Rose Pieri, Xochitl Ramirez, Donovan Pittman, Ava Alexander, Matreiya Wedemeyer and Kayla Gilmore in rehearsal for the final performance (devised and performed) by Goodman Theatre’s PlayBuild Youth Intensive program at (August 10, 2018). GoodmanTheatre.org/PlaybuildYouthFinal

Author: Goodman Education

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

Category: Publicity Images

_2018 PlayBuild 1

(L to R) Abigail Aderito and Konstanza Storemont in rehearsal for the final performance (devised and performed) by Goodman Theatre’s PlayBuild Youth Intensive program at (August 10, 2018). GoodmanTheatre.org/PlaybuildYouthFinal.

Author: Goodman Education

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

Category: Publicity Images

PlayBuild Youth Intensive

A comprehensive six-week intensive for designed to further critical thinking, literacy and storytelling skills in 14-18 year-old students. Taylor and her teaching artists introduce participants to theater using storytelling, ensemble building, object work and writing exercises. The program culminates in a student showcase.

Author: Goodman Education

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

Category: Publicity Images

_2018 MTI 1

(L to R) MTI ensemble with teaching artist Breon Arzell in rehearsal for the final performance (devised and performed) by Goodman Theatre’s Musical Intensive program (August 11, 2018). GoodmanTheatre.org/MusicalTheaterFinal

Author: Goodman Education

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

Category: Publicity Images

Student Subscription Series (SSS)

Engages more than 20 Chicago public high schools each year to creatively supplement students’ reading, writing, critical thinking and communication skills. Special matinee performances of Goodman productions are supplemented with exclusive teacher training workshops, educational guides and post-show discussions.

Author: Goodman Education

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

Category: Publicity Images

Cindy Bandle Young Critics (CBYC)

A joint venture between the Goodman and the Association for Women Journalists that introduces 11^th grade girls to the art of theater criticism and professional writing. Participants see productions, interview artists and receive one-on-one mentoring from professional journalists. CBYC is named in honor of Goodman Theatre’s late, longtime press director, Cindy Bandle.

Author: Goodman Education

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

Disney Musicals in Schools

William G. Hibbard Elementary School performing 101 Dalmatians KIDS as a part of the Disney Musicals in Schools program. Disney Musical in Schools is an initiative developed by Disney Theatrical Productions to create sustainable theater programs in under-resourced elementary schools.

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org

Disney Musicals in Schools

Providence Englewood Charter School performing The Lion King KIDS as a part of the Disney Musicals in Schools program. Disney Musical in Schools is an initiative developed by Disney Theatrical Productions to create sustainable theater programs in under-resourced elementary schools.

Email: press@goodmantheatre.org