Your input matters. We’d like to know what you think about our productions, Study Guides, talkbacks and whatever else you’d like to discuss. Educators and students alike are invited to fill out our online response form. And please do not hesitate to send student reviews, reports, projects and other responses to the attention of Jessica Greenberg, our head of education and outreach, at 19 Madison Ave, Suite 2-180, Toronto, ON, M5R 2S2 or via e-mail at education@studio180.ca.
What educators and students have had to say about Studio 180’s productions:
STUFF HAPPENS
“Stuff Happens was brilliantly cast and the performance brought some recent history to full life on an appropriately straightforward set with dialogue that held our young audience at all points. As a history teacher, I could not be happier with it. Today’s classes are full of discussion and questions. What an enrichment to our American history curriculum!”
NICK SZYMANIS (Teacher, Havergal College)
“Not only was the production outstanding – my students were extremely impressed by the emotionally engaging, polished, and subtle performances and direction – but the educational environment set up by Studio 180 was extremely rich… Studio 180 is certainly one of the most exciting theatre companies currently working in Toronto.”
DR. LAURA LEVIN (Professor, Department of Theatre, York University)
OFFENSIVE SHADOWS
“My grade 11 drama students and I had the privilege of seeing Studio 180’s production of Offensive Shadows this past semester. The show allowed the students to access one of Shakespeare’s works on a different level, leaving them feeling connected to and inspired by the very raw characters that were portrayed. The sparse use of set pieces gave them a new perspective on what is necessary for an effective performance to exist, and the inventive use of lighting and sound has allowed the students to feel freer experimenting with these production values in their own work. The post-performance Q&A with the actors was more than we could have asked for. The students had an exorbitant number of things to ask the talented actors who had wowed them with their creativity and ability. The actors left my students with a feeling of renewed energy, and further inspired to get back to their own rehearsal and performances.
“After seeing the performance, we decided as a class to produce our very own version of Midsummer for a number of grade 8 students in the Malton community. Our purpose was to give to the students entering high school next year a good experience with Shakespeare and his stories, just as Studio 180 did for them. Thank you for giving my students their initial love of each Hermia, Helena, Lysander, Demetrius and Puck! We look forward to seeing another one of your shows in the near future.”
K. RASHOTTE (Drama Teacher, Lincoln M. Alexander S.S.)
THE ARAB-ISRAELI COOKBOOK
“The production sparked fascinating debates in my class about the political role of documentary theatre and issues of representation. We discussed the problems of representing people from other cultures and strategies used by members of this production to overcome these potential barriers. In this respect, the production fit extremely well into the curriculum of the course, which deals with the representation of gender, sexuality, race, culture and class on stage.”
DR. LAURA LEVIN (Professor, Department of Theatre, York University)
“There was no one story to this play, but 1,000 stories telling one message. If we all just sit down and have a meal together, maybe something astonishing can happen, maybe we can have an ending. The Arab-Israeli Cookbook has every recipe you need to know, and a lesson which you need to learn, and an ending which you need to create.”
YORK UNIVERSITY STUDENT
“Certainly the quality and standards of Studio 180 work are excellent, and I’m eager to be kept on an active mailing list. The plays are topical and informative, as well as being effective and engaging theatrical experiences.”
HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER
THE LARAMIE PROJECT
“Kudos to all involved! This is truly what theatre is all about – its power to move people emotionally and intellectually, to stimulate discussion and open our eyes and, hopefully, its ability to change the world. Thank you, on behalf of all of my students.”
KATE GREENWAY (Head of Drama, Holy Trinity School)
“To my delight, the show was done with such creativity and skill that by the end I found myself wishing there was more. The acting, costume changes and over-all flow of the show [were] absolutely incredible.”
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT
“It was essential for [our students] to see these perspectives in such a dramatic and powerful medium as live theatre, for it allowed them to grapple with the merits of understanding people with differences and vaulted them forward in their understanding of acceptance (as opposed to simply tolerance) of those who are different.”
DEREK POON (Teacher, Upper Canada College)
“I was moved and shaken. [The Laramie Project] raises critical issues and does so in a way that engages, provokes and unsettles… I would certainly wish our students to have this opportunity as a rich extension of their classroom work. Further, I would encourage other schools to take groups of students.”
SUSAN J. DITCHBURN (Principal, Havergal College)
“This particular play is a terrific vehicle to help young people gain insight into a terrible reality in our society – some people are bullied and harassed – sometimes even to death. Stopping this kind of behaviour is critical and The Laramie Project points us in the right direction.”
BILL BYRD (Safe Schools Administrator, Toronto District School Board)
“Many people believe that because ‘gayness’ has gained increased visibility that prejudice no longer exists. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth and this is why The Laramie Project is so important. The play is a powerful tool for education and deserves to be seen by as wide an audience as possible. I am confident that many high school students (and the general audience as well) who are given the opportunity to see this play and then engage in discussion about it will be forever changed.”
LESLIE CHUDNOVSKY (Mentoring and Housing Coordinator, Supporting Our Youth)
“My students have decided to form a ‘Gay/Straight Alliance Against Homophobia’ extra-curricular club at my school with me as their student advisor… Many thanks!”
HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER
“I’m emailing simply to express my gratitude to you for giving me the opportunity to see this play. I enjoyed the play very much – its ups and downs, tears and laughter. Your performance was truly touching and inspiring to me and this experience shall surely stay with me forever. Again, thank you very much for this performance.”
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT (free outreach performance)
