Language Arts

Artist: Cheryl Capezzuti

Cheryl Capezzuti's Puppetmaking residency connects puppetry to language arts, including creative writing and storytelling, as students make puppets and perform original works. Cheryl is an exhibiting visual artist and educator best known for her work creating giant papier mâché creatures that appear in theatres and parades both locally and nationally. She has conducted visual arts workshops and created multi-disciplinary programs for students and educators through many of Pittsburgh's cultural organizations.

Artist: Liz Berlin

Join Liz Berlin- performer, recording artist, entrepreneur, educator- as she guides students through a study of songwriting, recording, performance and the music industry from the inside out. After years honing her skills in the music business, Liz shares her unique insights with aspiring musicians. The workshop culminates with a CD of a collaborative song and a student performance. Residency offerings include: Elementary Songwriting (2-5), Middle School Songwriting & Recording (6-8), High School Songwriting & Recording (9-12). After many years with her band, Rusted Root, Liz Berlin has put her experience and success to good use in her other ventures—Mr. Smalls Theatre, Recording Studios, Skateparks and Creative.Life.Support where she’s been teaching and mentoring young musicians and students through the development of Community Songwriting & Recording Classes, Real.Life.Music & Skate Camp and the Mr. Smalls College Internship Program.

Artist: Shakespeare-in-the-Schools

Artists Residencies and Pre- and Post-Performance Workshops are essential components of Shakespeare-in-the-School's (SITS) mission. Whether during a single workshop or an extended residency, we always aim to empower, and challenge.

The “classics” conjures up images of old books, stuffy language, and boredom for many students. “Adapting the Classics” invites students to delve into the great masterpieces of literature to make their own discoveries and conclusions. Using Brown University’s ArtsLiteracy Project (www.artslit.org) as a model, Shakespeare-in-the-Schools’ Teaching Artists lead students through the process of exploring and dramatizing classics using writing exercises, improvisation, creative drama, and text analysis and comprehension strategies. The ArtsLiteracy process makes classical works relevant to today’s students. Shakespeare-in-the-Schools' "Adapting the Classics" residency enhances students’ literacy development through creativity and drama techniques around challenging texts such as William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club or any work of literature from the school curriculum. Residencies typically consist of 6-12 sessions based on a text chosen from the school curriculum. They are preceded by joint planning meetings where the teaching team creates the unit by exploring the text and themes.

“Students were able to visually and kinesthetically connect to Hamlet in a way different from discussion. Sam Turich, our teaching artist, did an absolutely wonderful job with the students and connecting with them!”
- Katie O’Lare, Trinity High School

Artist: Tom Breiding

Tom Breiding will help students to write their own historically accurate folk songs within the structure of verse, chorus, and bridge, tailoring historical connections for your school's specific needs. Pointing out several research strategies that he has used for his own work, Tom will asssign students to select an historical event or character about which they would like to write, list important facts from their research, and then assist them in constructing sound lyrics to be performed with traditional or original folk melodies. With his voice and instruments, he will give all students the opportunity to share their work, including those with little or no musical background. He can also engage students in open conversation about a wide range of industry topics that include: various approaches to the songwriting process, studio engineering, production, innovative recording techniques, tracking and editing on ProTools software, press and radio promotion, touring strategies, and performance techniques.

Artist: Jennie Stephens

Jennie Stephens combines the exciting world of children's literature with visual art in this fun-filled residency. Each session brings a new theme, book, and hands-on art-making exploration. From picture books to poetry, this program explores the possibilities and connections between literacy and art in themes such as Rhythm/Sound, Feelings, the Ocean, Imaginary Animals, and Gardens. Each theme will have a list of 5-10 age appropriate books from which to choose. Using a variety of art materials and techniques, children and teachers will discover new ways to bring learning to life!