The Kilroys Class: Teen Edition! is an opportunity for teens to take a deep dive into the Kilroys List, a curated selection of new plays by women, trans, and non-binary playwrights.
About the Class
What to Expect
New works from the Kilroys List will be paired with an “established” play to stimulate conversation about themes and develop a better understanding of the U.S. theater landscape. In each class, the group will read an entire play out loud together, taking on roles to practice acting and public speaking skills in a supportive environment. Students will get the opportunity to play characters their age, experiment with characters they would not normally play, and have fun in an ensemble environment.
This class is a way to practice text analysis, strengthen reading and public speaking skills, discover new contemporary playwrights, and meet fellow actors/artists in a non-competitive environment.
All classes will be closed captioned.
Who is this class for?
This class is for teens ages 15-19 who enjoy theater! No previous experience is required. For students looking toward a career in theater or preparing for college, previous participants have said that this class has better prepared them for their college-level coursework.
Tuition
Individual sessions are Pay What You Choose, for as little as $0. Our suggested donation is $30 per class session. No one will be turned away for lack of funds!
Schedule
Sundays: April 11, 18, 25 & May 2, 9
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. PT
As there will be supplemental reading between sessions that will deepen your experience with each class and the class discussions will build on each other, we recommend attending as many class sessions as possible.
CONTENT WARNING
This class will read plays that include mature themes, including profanity, violence, sexuality, and interpersonal and systematic oppression.
Week 1: Lynn Nottage, Sweat Week 2: Lauren Yee, Hookman Week 3: MJ Kaufman, Sagittarius Ponderosa Week 4: In class script development with Annalisa Dias and Grace McLeod Week 5: Dipika Guha, Yoga PlayFull Class Reading List
Supplemental reading: Caryl Churchill, Far Away
Supplemental reading: Watch Hedwig and the Angry Inch; Listen to "Intermission Song" from A Strange Loop
Supplemental reading: select pages of Annalisa Dias' 4380 Nights and Grace McLeod's Herland
Supplemental reading: Vickie Ramirez, Pure Native
Meet the Teaching Artist
The teens learn a lot on many levels because they are being exposed to new stories as well as understanding analysis for the first time.
Teen Testimonials
"Erin Murray's [Kilroys Class] is an essential source for understanding contemporary American Theater."
“[Erin's class] was soul-nourishing. It breathed new life into my quarantine."
Emma Blessing in Well (2017). Photo by Alan Alabastro.