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YOUTH THEATRE RESIDENCY

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IMAGINATION BECOMES PART OF THE CURRICULUM? 

Youth Theatre Residency is an adaptable program designed for K-8 classrooms that uses collaborative theatre to bring core educational concepts to life through interactive, immersive experiences.

Fully aligned with ELA and VAPA standards, our teaching artists empower students to explore story, character, and perspective while supporting social and academic learning gaps in an engaging, hands-on way.

After learning the foundations of storytelling, students create their own original pieces through guided creative exercises. At the end of the semester, every student’s work is showcased in a live performance for families and the community.

LIVE FROM LA Seating Slideshow (Presentation (43) copy 3
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LIVE FROM LA Seating Slideshow (Presentation (43)

After a semester of participation* in Youth Theatre Residency: 

  • Over 70% of students report learning new skills that they can use in school. 
  • Over 65% of students report that they can communicate with people who are different from themselves. 
  • Over 70% of students report that they like to work with their classmates. 
  • Over 20% increase in confidence speaking in front of a group. 
  • Over 15% increase in ability to edit and revise a story. 
*Surveys are conducted with program participants at the start and end of each semester-long Residency.

Our standard Residency package includes fourteen sessions

(60 minutes in-school or 90 minutes after-school) each semester, 1-2 sessions per week.

Customized options and pricing are available upon request.

WANT TO BRING YOUTH THEATRE RESIDENCY TO YOUR CLASSROOM?

SUBMIT AN INTEREST FORM

WHAT STUDENTS SAY ABOUT YOUTH THEATRE RESIDENCY:

“I learned to express myself in my own way.”
Genesis D.Age 12
“I learned how to work with others.”
Esther R.Age 14
“I learned how to change the tone of my voice, create new characters, and to improv.”
Mario D.Age 12
“I learned to use my body language in front of people to create stories and also to face some of my fears in talking in front of people.”
Litza V.Age 11
“I really enjoyed the program. I like to see the faces of the people who watch the shows we’re doing, and it just feels very special when you see the people smiling and laughing and enjoying the show. It’s a special feeling.”
Angel V.Age unknown

WHAT EDUCATORS SAY ABOUT YOUTH THEATRE RESIDENCY: 

“The Unusual Suspects’ theatre program is a wonderful program for our school. With limited resources, the program allows our students to have access to high-quality performing arts curriculum. Many of our students, including students with disabilities, have found the program to be a safe place to be themselves.”
Mr. Arturo MartinezAssistant Principal, Edison Middle School
“Your programming is excellent for my grade level; I feel like a person knowledgeable in Early Education put these activities together. One of my students gained a lot of confidence. He used to cry whenever I would ask him to do something, and now he volunteers to participate in The Unusual Suspects and sometimes the classroom. Another one of my students has clearly benefitted in terms of physical expression, and another has less sensory-seeking behaviors.”
Ms. Alicia PizzyKindergarten Teacher, Sendak Elementary School
“Thank you and all involved with getting this program to be a part of my class. My students enjoyed and looked forward to seeing Brittany and Mara each Wednesday morning. I sure noticed almost perfect attendance on Wednesdays (and I attribute that to how much they enjoyed the class). My students increased their confidence and speaking skills. It was awesome seeing them describe how they felt each morning using the 1-10 scale. And I am grateful for the time spent in helping my students create their stories. It was good timing because I was teaching them about writing personal narratives and emphasizing the importance of having a beginning, middle, and end. Again, thank you!”
Mrs. RamirezESL Teacher, Markham Middle School

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

There is a fee, and we have options to help make it work for your school!

For our in-school Residency, up to 20% of your Prop 28 allocation can be applied toward our program.

For after-school programming, CAP/ELOP funding is a great fit. Additional sources include Title I (Part A), Title II (Part A), Title III, and Title IV (Part A). Submit an interest form and we’ll help you navigate what works best for your school.

We work within your schedule, not against it! Sessions run 1-2 times per week, either during the school day (60 minutes) or after school (90 minutes). Our program integrates directly into existing ELA or Arts curriculum and is aligned to both ELA and VAPA standards. Teaching Artists can also work in extended blocks (e.g., 4 hours) with classes rotating in to minimize disruption. We can even weave in ELA concepts and texts students are already reading, so class time is never wasted. We’ll coordinate all timing with you once you submit an interest form.

All sessions are led by our trained Teaching Artists – experienced theatre practitioners who specialize in working with young people in educational settings. They bring both artistic expertise and classroom sensitivity to every residency.

Youth Theatre Residency is designed for K-8 classrooms. The curriculum is highly adaptable: our Teaching Artists tailor content, pacing, and complexity to fit your students’ specific age group and needs. We can also adjust session count, length, and focus areas to fit your school calendar and goals.

These are often the students who benefit most from our program. Our Teaching Artists create a fun, safe, and inclusive environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and showing up fully.

The research backs this up:

  • Students are 20% less likely to receive out-of-school suspensions per year of arts studied
  • Arts participation reduces the dropout rate from 22% to 4% among low-income students

Our own post-program surveys confirm: arts access significantly reduces absenteeism. Students show up for what engages them.

You don’t have to choose. The Residency is fully aligned with ELA and VAPA standards, and schools with arts-integrated programs, even in low-income communities, consistently report strong academic achievement. Research shows students who participate in drama score higher on standardized tests, demonstrate improved reading comprehension, attend school more regularly, and are more engaged overall compared to peers without arts access.

Theatre is a great addition to any existing arts program. Exposure to multiple art forms (visual arts, music, dance, and theatre) broadens students’ cognitive, emotional, and social development in distinct ways. Drama in particular builds creative problem-solving, empathy, and academic engagement through a unique, multisensory approach that other art forms don’t replicate.

Submit an interest form using the button below. Our team will be in touch to learn about your school, discuss logistics, and figure out the best program fit. There’s no commitment required to start the conversation.
SUBMIT AN INTEREST FORM

Have more questions? Reach out to community@theunusualsuspects.org