Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell, MA- Theatre

STUDENT MATINEES

Field trips are easy at MRT! All you have to do is decide which plays you'd like to attend, how many students and adults in your group, and then give us a call. With your advance booking, you have the advantages of early seating, discount rates, our popular curriculum support materials published in playGuide, and the option of bringing a Guest Artist to your school for advance preparation or post-field trip discussion. Morning Student Matinees sell out quickly and some school systems choose an after-school or evening performance as a Special Event hosted by PTOs and other community groups. We're always happy to accommodate your unique ideas for making a field trip to MRT memorable and one you'll want to plan for year after year.

The New Century School Series 1999-2001
We want to help you plan curricula for the New Century by reinforcing the Arts in Education standards and by implementing the Arts as a Core Subject. Our New Century School Series of 14 plays takes an evocative look back at each decade of the 20th century and a provocative view of what the future holds. The list of playwrights we've selected to address the daunting task of representing what we've accomplished as a society in the last 100 years is naturally impressive. Most are already on your reading lists. The few who are not we've judged to be of such excellent scope and vision that their work is destined to become classics of the American theatre. We know you respect live theatre as a powerful tool for learning. The New Century School Series is specifically designed to enhance the teaching of the 20th century by integrating with Language Arts, History, Social Studies and even the Space Program!

1999-2000

September- Picasso at the Lapin Agile by Steve Martin

In 1904, Einstein and Picasso go Id to Id on a wild and crazy comic ride into the 20th century.
Recommended grades: 10 & up
Curriculum integration: Art History, Science, European History

October/November- Awake and Sing by Clifford Odets

1930s in the midst of the Great Depression. A new generation dreams of life "not printed on dollar bills."
Recommended grades: 10 & up
Curriculum integration: American History, labor unions, Judaism

December- The Rainmaker by N. Richard Nash

A romantic comedy from the 1950s! Especially appropriate for the holidays.
Recommended grades: 6 & up
Curriculum integration: Social Studies, Geography, American History

January- Cloud Tectonics by Jose Rivera

A world melting into Gothic excess, perhaps in a dream of the future.
Recommended grades: 10 & up. Contains adult language.
Curriculum integration: Current Events, Social Studies

February/March- Avenue X by Ray Leslee & John Jiler

A gritty and inspiring a cappella musical about friendship when civil rights were at last a catalyst for change.
Recommended grades: 10 & up. Contains adult language.
Curriculum integration: Black History Month, American History, Social Studies

April- The Front Page by Ben Hecht & Charles McArthur

The Roaring 20s! This fast and furious comic classic blithely exposes power, greed and corruption in the Press Room.
Recommended grades: 10 & up
Curriculum integration: American History, Journalism, Politics

May/June- Defying Gravity by Jane Anderson

"I touch the future, I teach," said NH astronaut Christa McAuliffe. A joyous and uplifting tribute to the teacher who would "build a cathedral in the sky."
Recommended grades: 5 & up
Curriculum integration: Art History, Space Program (NASA)

1999/2000 Student Matinee Reduced Rates and Benefits

$8.50 tickets for students.
Series package discounts available.
One complimentary chaperone ticket for every 20 student tickets.
Additional chaperone tickets for only $12.50 each.
Teachers receive a free playGuide prior to attending the play and are welcome to reproduce portions of the playGuide for classroom needs.

To make a reservation, please call the Education Department at 978-454-6324 or email us at mrtlowell@aol.com.

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