East LA Classic Theatre
Presents…
Beyond
Borders:
Literacy
Through
Performing
Arts
The East LA Classic Theatre began in 1992 with the idea either a minority or bilingual. The ratio of students to educa-
that professional, minority artists could create interpretation tors is 10:1 in order to allow more in-depth participation and
of classic theatre into culturally specific production. Beyond guidance. Loyola Marymount University’s recent studies have
Borders, the program at the East LA Classic Theatre supports shown that the program at East LA Classic Theatre signifi-
the efforts of public schools to assist in the available oppor- cantly increases reading and writing proficiency as well as
tunities for challenged students and the surrounding dis- communication and language skills. Students who have par-
tricts. The program addresses the academic literacy needs of ticipated in the Beyond Borders program show an average of
the students who participate by engaging them in student- 13 and 17 points improvement on their Stanford 9
written, performed and produced plays for their families and Achievement test scores.
friends. Another successful element of Beyond Borders is the men-
The 16-week program uses performing arts as a way to torship. Disadvantaged students who take part in this educa-
improve communication skills that many minority students tional program are exposed to professionals who motivate
often have difficulty with. Students attend twice weekly, two- and stimulate them educationally to develop their own
hour classes with classroom teachers and trained actors to visions for the future. These actors and educators become
give the class structure in its curriculum. Founder Tony Plana the student’s role models by empowering them to bring out
states that students in this program are engaged in holistic the intelligences, skills and talents that each student has
education, “It teaches the whole person, stimulates within them.
Gardner’s seven intelligences and gives content to use those For more information or to make a donation visit
skills in the way they interact with the world, themselves and
www.eastlaclassic.org or email
contact@eastlaclassic.org
with each other, allowing more possibilities for them.”
Each classroom has one classroom teacher and two bilin-
East L.A. Classic Theatre is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization bringing classic theater and education-
al programs into the schools.
gual actors, usually one male and one female each that are
Source: East LA Classic Theatre
WWW.HNMAGAZINE.COM Celebrating over 15 Years of Embracing Diversity 49
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