TheatreBridge is a four-year Quest Visual Theatre program funded by the United States Department of Education. Partnering with the Maryland School for the Deaf – Columbia and Gallaudet University, TheatreBridge focuses on the use of visual theatre to enhance the literacy skills of deaf and hard of hearing children. The program employs a multi-dimensional approach involving students, teachers, teaching artist, and parents. TheatreBridge will use a visually – based empirical research approach to assess the impact of the program. Quest will share TheatreBridge’s research findings with the field at the conclusion of the program. TheatreBridge programming includes:
- Summer TAI (Teaching Artist Institute) at MSD Columbia:
- Training in visual theatre technique
- By the end of the 4 years, 95% of the MSD Columbia instructional staff will receive training in arts integration
- Two Summer camps:
- One-week elementary school camp at MSD Columbia
- Two-week overnight camp for Middle School students at Gallaudet University
- Family Sessions:
- Theatre related training for parents will happen twice a month
- Family Engagements:
- Quest and MSD will conduct two family engagements each year
- Arts Advocacy Committee: Teachers, administrators, artists, parents, and community members will develop a vision statement and strategic plan to support arts education at MSD Columbia.
- Quest will participate in the American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) National Conferences in 2011 and 2013.
- QuestFest, Quest’s biennial international visual theatre festival, will serve as an important training and dissemination tool.
For more information about TheatreBridge, contact Quest Education/Outreach Coordinator, Erica Siegel at erica@quest4arts.org.
