In-School Residency Programs

Transform your classroom into a stage for creativity, collaboration, and deep learning.

McCarter Theatre Center’s professional teaching artists partner with schools to create standards-aligned, student-centered residency programs that bring the performing arts directly into the classroom. Each residency is flexible and designed to complement your curriculum while sparking joy, engagement, and discovery in every student.

These offerings are just a starting point—you can mix and match programs, adapt them for any grade level, and even culminate in a performance or showcase. Whether your students are exploring Shakespeare, devising original plays, or diving into musical theatre, our goal is to ignite creativity, build confidence, and foster collaboration.

We look forward to partnering with you to design the perfect performing arts program for your school.

Pricing: Program rates start at $150 per instructional hour, with subsidized rates available for qualifying schools. Contact us for a full quote. 

Contact:
education@mccarter.org

Shakesperience

For: Grades 4-12

Shakespeare Residencies invite students to experience the magic of The Bard! Guided by professional teaching artists, students dive into the language, characters, themes, and history of William Shakespeare’s timeless plays. They actively explore and bring scenes to life, building confidence, collaboration skills, and a deeper understanding of why Shakespeare’s work still matters today.

For schools seeking an even more accessible entry point, we also offer modernized adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays, blending contemporary language with the original text to help students engage with and fully enter the story. Each residency can conclude with a final performance if desired, giving students the thrill of sharing their discoveries on stage.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Builds literacy skills and deepens text analysis

  • Strengthens speaking and listening skills

  • Encourages collaboration and ensemble building

  • Develops confidence through performance and presentation

Why It Matters:

  • Aligns with NJSLS-ELA RL.9-10.1–4 (textual evidence, theme analysis, word meaning) and SL.1, SL.4, SL.6(collaborative discussion, presenting, speaking clearly).

  • Supports NJSLS-VPA (Theatre): Creating 1.1, Performing 1.2, Responding 1.3, Connecting 1.4 by engaging students in performance-based exploration and reflection.

Improv

For: Grades 2-12

McCarter Theatre Center’s interactive Improv workshops help students practice essential life skills, including collaboration, active listening, quick thinking, and creative problem-solving. These engaging sessions promote social-emotional learning and effective communication, providing students with tools they can apply in the classroom. An optional showcase performance allows schools to celebrate student growth in a meaningful way.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Encourages problem-solving, adaptability, and quick thinking

  • Strengthens communication and active listening

  • Develops social-emotional learning and peer trust

  • Builds confidence and supports a growth mindset

Why It Matters:

  • Supports NJSLS-ELA SL.1 (collaborative conversations) and SL.6 (adapting speech for context).

  • Aligns with NJSLS-VPA (Theatre): Creating 1.1 & Performing 1.2 by encouraging risk-taking and collaborative ensemble work.

  • Reinforces NJ SEL Competencies (self-awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making).

Play-WRITING & Play-MAKING

Step into the writer’s room with McCarter’s Play-WRITING & Play-MAKING programs! Students take creative control in these exciting and collaborative residency programs.

Play-MAKING (Grades K–2) brings stories to life! In this interactive residency, students step into the shoes of their favorite characters, explore themes and simple story structure, and create and perform their very own plays. Along the way, they develop empathy, practice collaboration, strengthen reading and public speaking skills, and gain confidence by taking safe creative risks. This joyful, hands-on experience immerses students in the excitement of imagining, creating, and sharing stories together.

Play-WRITING (Grades 3–12) invites students to step into the role of playwright, as they explore the essential elements of drama, including character, dialogue, conflict, and plot, while collaborating to create original plays centered on a chosen theme. Throughout the process, students build skills in creative writing, critical thinking, and teamwork. The residency can culminate in an optional staged reading or full performance, giving students the excitement and pride of seeing their words come to life. Inspiring creativity and strengthening literacy, Play-WRITING empowers young voices to be heard.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Strengthens literacy and writing skills

  • Encourages creative problem-solving and critical thinking

  • Builds collaboration and peer feedback skills

  • Provides authentic opportunities for student voice and choice

Why It Matters:

  • Aligns with NJSLS-ELA W.3, W.4 (narrative writing, clear and coherent writing) and SL.4 (presenting information effectively).

  • Supports NJSLS-VPA (Theatre): Creating 1.1 & Responding 1.3 as students devise, revise, and reflect on original works.

  • Encourages student agency and authentic application of writing skills.

Musical Theatre

For: Grade Levels 2 and up, Lessons are thoughtfully adapted for each age group.

Musical Theatre (Grades 2-12) brings the magic of the stage into the classroom! Students explore acting, singing, and dance, the three essential elements of musical theatre, while working with professional teaching artists. Together, they dive into the themes, history, and characters of a selected musical, bringing a scene and song to life. This residency fosters confidence, teamwork, and performance skills, and can culminate in an informal, optional sharing for an audience.

Residency length: Minimum 5 sessions 

Learning Outcomes:

  • Integrates music, language arts, and movement

  • Builds confidence and presentation skills

  • Strengthens ensemble collaboration and teamwork

  • Enhances cultural and historical understanding of the art form

Why It Matters:

  • Supports NJSLS-VPA (Theatre & Dance): Performing 1.2 & Connecting 1.4 by integrating performance skills and exploring historical/cultural context.

  • Connects to NJSLS-ELA RL.2 (theme analysis) and SL.5 (strategic use of multimedia in presentations).

  • Reinforces 21st-century skills: collaboration, creativity, and communication.

Teacher Workshops: Professional Development

For: Educators of all grade levels and subjects

Strengthen your school community and enrich your teaching practice with McCarter Theatre Center’s professional development workshops!
Created specifically for educators, these interactive sessions use theatre-based techniques to demonstrate how any subject can come alive in the classroom. Through

improv and acting principles, including active listening, creative problem-solving, decision-making, and adaptability, teachers gain practical strategies they can immediately apply.

Led by professional theatre artists, these energizing workshops foster collaboration, communication, and creativity. Educators leave with fresh tools to inspire deeper student engagement and transform learning into a dynamic, memorable experience.

McCarter Teaching Artists

McCarter’s teaching artists are accomplished professional actors, directors, choreographers, musicians, and visual artists. In addition to their artistic expertise, they are highly skilled in delivering exceptional arts education to students of all ages. Every McCarter teaching artist completes our curricular training process and undergoes a full criminal background check, ensuring both quality instruction and a safe, supportive learning environment.