Education Outreach

As part of our mission, Northshire Performing Arts brings professional live performance events, free of charge, to children and families of the Northshire, many of whom have never had the opportunity to see such performances.

“It was a fabulous opportunity for my English students to see firsthand how this classic love story can be interpreted with a modern twist. The high-quality performance demonstrated the power of Shakespeare’s words to continue to touch audiences hundreds of years after its original publication.  This was a truly valuable experience for my classes, especially as the eighth grade gets ready to read, analyze, and perform the play this spring. Thank you, Northshire Performing Arts, for making this available to us.”  - Mary Mangiacotti, Upper School English teacher, Maple Street School

“Many schools will be looking to the arts for cost savings, but NPA has stepped in to fill this void…and provided an alternative lens through which students see the world.”–John Suitor, Former Head of Long Trail School

HD Met Live in the Schools Northshire Performing Arts has made a generous contribution to Burr and Burton Academy to help bring the “HD Met Live in the Schools” opera simulcasts to BBA’s Riley Center for the Arts.

“Our investment was made specifically so we could help bring the magnificence of live opera to southern Vermont. We are delighted to see this project come to fruition.” –Jane Gilbert, NPA Founder and Chairman

	On October 26, 2012 ROMEO & JULIET was performed by The National Players. Here are some student comments: “The play was perfectly acted, and it took me on an exciting trip to Verona.” - Hana, Grade 8 “I liked how it had a modern theme because it gave a different perspective of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” – Ian, Grade 6 “I liked how the play incorporated things in modern day. It made me more interested because I could relate to what the characters were doing. Although the language was from the old days, the modernness evened it out. I liked how the characters also wore modern clothing. I liked the play because it still had the original plot but mixed modern with old.” – Alex, Grade 8
	On October 19, 2011, RIOULT thrilled our daytime high school student audience, and provided an unforgettable evening for the adults with “a provocative and technically exquisite performance.” Pascal Rioult also conducted an inspiring master class with a dedicated group of BBA dance students. He later addressed a Holocaust studies class about his signature piece, Wien. All of these events were NPA’s gift to the students and the community.
	On October 26, 2010, NPA presented the PUSHCART PLAYERS in their production of Sergei Prokofiev’s PETER AND THE WOLF to students from eleven schools in the Manchester area.“Pushcart Players has proven how art can transcend cultural barriers.” – Frank Lautenberg, US Senator from NJ
	In 2009, to celebrate “our fifth,” NPA presented the NEW YORK THEATRE BALLET for three performances on Wed., May 27th, 2009. The ballet, CINDERELLA, particularly designed for children, was equally appreciated by adults.“NYTB is a discreet little pearl in the oyster of New York dance.” –Jennifer Dunning, NY Times
	In the fall of 2008, NPA presented …EINSTEIN ALIVE!“Marc Speigel, actor writer, and dead ringer for the man himself, delivers an outstanding performance that captivated our students and incited vigorous conversation in the classrooms and hallways of Long Trail School.” –John Suitor, Head of Long Trail School
	In January 2007, THE ACTING COMPANY’s production of LOVE SHAKESPEARE was appreciated by nearly 400 area students and their teachers at the host venues of LTS’s Riley Levin Theatre and Manchester Elementary School’s stage. A Master Class for Burr & Burton and Long Trail upper-schoolers capped off a day of excitement and learning.
	In October 2007, 22 members of the world-renowned AFRICAN CHILDREN’S CHOIR gave three stunning performances for area school children, plus one singing and dancing workshop involving students from seven schools. A free evening concert was given, filling the First Congregational Church to capacity. Rave reviews from students flooded the NPA office. “Inspirational…the drums were incredible…when you think about their lives before and what they are doing now, it is really amazing…it was great to see their culture expressed in their performance…their music is so different, and they use dance to sing.”“A blur of colorful costumes…held the rapt attention of their audience. The upbeat singing made it easy to forget the grim circumstances all of the performers hail from.” –Andrew McKeever, Manchester Journal