Learning Through Drama

Learning Through Drama uses drama as an entry point into important conversations with high school students. With a focus on social and emotional learning (SEL) and critical thinking, our team of Actor Teachers creates curriculum that explores the issues most relevant to the young people in our school communities. In the past, such issues have included healthy and fulfilling relationships, consent, LGBTQIA+ identity, social media, misogyny and sexist double standards, racism and policing, sex education, college and career readiness, and time management.

Our work has its roots in a number of socially-engaged theatre traditions including Applied Theatre, Theatre of the Oppressed, Drama-in-Education, Theatre-in-Education, and the many innovative techniques developed by CAT staff over the decades. We are a team of 10 artist-facilitators with a diversity of backgrounds in education and theatre.

We currently partner with 15 public high schools in three buildings around the city: the Franklin K. Lane, Erasmus Hall, and Christopher Columbus campuses.

Also Available: NYC Student Shakespeare Festival, CAT Youth Theatre (grades 6 and up), Professional Development

Students will:

• Develop and strengthen their communication and literacy skills
• Improve their critical thinking and social-emotional skills
• Through DYCD partnerships, achieve higher grades or English Language Arts test scores

Participating teachers reported improvements in students’:

• Literacy skills - communication, participation in literacy activities
• Academic skills - viewing/observing, interpreting, distinguishing cause from effect
• Social-emotional skills - stating clear purpose, presentation
• Grades or ELA test scores (DYCD partnership schools)

Participating teachers experience creative, interactive ways to support the NYS Common Core Standards in English Language Arts 

“With CAT this year I learned how to work better with others. I also learned to be more confident with my writing. The program helps develop good listening skills. Thank you for teaching our class this year. I had a blast!” — After-School LTD Participant

• Identity and self-esteem
• Literacy
• Peer/family relationships
• Communication
• Positive alternatives to violence and bullying
• Cultural sensitivity/awareness
• Test prep/college prep/life goals
• Positive alternatives to substance use/abuse

FY19 LTD In-School Team

FY19 Social-Emotional Learning Team

FY19 LTD After-School Team