“I called my dad in Mexico to tell him that I was doing Shakespeare. He was really impressed. He wants the DVD so he can show everyone in our town.”
Annandale High School Theatre Without Borders is a unique theatre program for immigrant students and English language learners. TWB offers students the opportunity to study theatre in an environment where English is never a barrier to taking creative risks. Founded in 2003, the program is both a theatre arts class, a production workshop and an ensemble of students devoted to classical theatre, primarily the plays of William Shakespeare.
Shakespeare’s work might be a surprising focus for an immigrant student theatre group. His language and themes challenge even native English speakers. Nonetheless, his plots cross all cultures, and can be reset, refashioned and embellished to represent virtually any country, ethnicity or time period. Most importantly, for our students to act in a Shakespearean play, to know his stories and characters and speak his lines are scholastic achievements, milestones in their education.
AHS Theatre Without Borders productions are student-driven. Students are engaged in all aspects of production-acting, directing, stage management and theatre tech, including set design and construction, lights and sound. Our students design make-up and organize costumes. Though Shakespeare couldn’t feature salsa, tango or merengue in his plays, dancing is as important to our productions as it was in his day. Choreography is also done by our students. Whether you are an actor, a dancer, an artist, a builder or a technician, there is literally something for everyone in Theatre Without Borders.
Theatre Without Borders is fortunate to partner with area theatres to expose students to professional drama and performing arts in the DC metropolitan area. Our students are regular participants in the SHAKESPEARIENCE Student Matinee Program at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. They have also attended workshops at the Synetic Theatre in Arlington.
Theatre Without Borders is funded by grants from the NEA, FCPS, the AHS PTSA and donations. All our productions are free to the public.
Annandale High School Theatre Without Borders is a unique theatre program for immigrant students and English language learners. TWB offers students the opportunity to study theatre in an environment where English is never a barrier to taking creative risks. Founded in 2003, the program is both a theatre arts class, a production workshop and an ensemble of students devoted to classical theatre, primarily the plays of William Shakespeare.
Shakespeare’s work might be a surprising focus for an immigrant student theatre group. His language and themes challenge even native English speakers. Nonetheless, his plots cross all cultures, and can be reset, refashioned and embellished to represent virtually any country, ethnicity or time period. Most importantly, for our students to act in a Shakespearean play, to know his stories and characters and speak his lines are scholastic achievements, milestones in their education.
AHS Theatre Without Borders productions are student-driven. Students are engaged in all aspects of production-acting, directing, stage management and theatre tech, including set design and construction, lights and sound. Our students design make-up and organize costumes. Though Shakespeare couldn’t feature salsa, tango or merengue in his plays, dancing is as important to our productions as it was in his day. Choreography is also done by our students. Whether you are an actor, a dancer, an artist, a builder or a technician, there is literally something for everyone in Theatre Without Borders.
Theatre Without Borders is fortunate to partner with area theatres to expose students to professional drama and performing arts in the DC metropolitan area. Our students are regular participants in the SHAKESPEARIENCE Student Matinee Program at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. They have also attended workshops at the Synetic Theatre in Arlington.
Theatre Without Borders is funded by grants from the NEA, FCPS, the AHS PTSA and donations. All our productions are free to the public.