"What I would consider the best experience of the (Primary Voices) residency would be the part where every single student actually became inquisitive to conjecture and to know more about the curriculum."

"From this experience I learn that life may seem different through a lens.  Also, it helps me understand and get to know my classmates better."

"This was an incredible experience for my students and one they will never forget.  They grew and gained confidence in themselves.  A few expressed interest in careers in theater and film that they never knew existed.  This is what learning is all about!" 

-Comments from Primary Voices participants

In 2007, Primary Stages expanded its Arts Education Program to include on-site workshops in New York City public high schools.  Through Primary Voices, students create a video documentary based on the play they will see at Primary Stages theater.   

This documentary process, drawing on the students’ interest in film and television, inspires the students to study the written play.  In addition to promoting a greater understanding of dramatic works, through the process of creating a video documentary; Primary Voices exposes students to potential careers in theater and video that they may have no knowledge of.

 
The teaching artist conducts several in-school sessions both before and after the students attend the Primary Stages production.  Initially the students are instructed on how to use the lighting, sound and camera equipment needed to create the video documentary.  Then, after reading the script, the students meet in a roundtable forum to discuss all aspects of the play and begin to formulate a storyboard for the documentary.  

A key element of the documentary is filmed interviews with the students, where each student alternates the role of interviewer and subject.  The act of formulating challenging questions and appearing on camera as a knowledgeable subject motivates the students to further study and analyze the play in depth.

In anticipation of attending the student matinee performance, the students prepare for the talkback session.  They formulate stimulating questions to ask the cast as well as plan the placement of the cameras to film the session from the audience.  During the next in-class session following the performance, the students film themselves in another roundtable setting discussing their reactions to the performance and how their opinions may have changed since reading the script.  Finally the students meet as a group to review the rough footage and learn about the editing process.  An instructor edits the footage and includes each student’s name in the video credits and on the cover.  The final class includes a screening of the completed documentary.  All the students receive a personal copy of the DVD.