Wed. November 29, 2017
Chicago, IL -
The innovative education program that debuted at HAMILTON on Broadway, in partnership with The Rockefeller Foundation, continues its second school year in Chicago. On November 29, 2017, 1,900 students and teachers from 25 Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will attend the matinee performance of the musical at Broadway In Chicago's CIBC Theatre (18 W. Monroe Street).
The November 29th performance is the ninth out of 10 all-student matinee performances in 2017 that will provide 20,000 Chicago high school students the opportunity to experience the musical HAMILTON after having spent several weeks in their classrooms studying American history through a special integrated curriculum about Alexander Hamilton and the nation's Founding Fathers.
In addition to seeing a performance of HAMILTON, the Chicago students will participate in a Q&A with members of the HAMILTON cast. As well, students representing various schools in attendance will perform an original work they created based on their classroom studies – songs, rap, poetry, scenes, monologues – on the CIBC Theatre stage in front of their peers.
The Hamilton Education Program is one of several history education programs at the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Its president, James G. Basker -- who devised the education program in New York in tandem with HAMILTON creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, producer Jeffrey Seller, The Rockefeller Foundation and the NYC Department of Education -- adds, "This project is transformative. HAMILTON has struck a chord with our nation's students because it embodies what great history education is all about: bringing the past to life, and fostering connections with the exceptional individuals and moments that have made us who we are. This program empowers students to reclaim their own narrative and empowers teachers to bridge classroom learning with the stage."
HAMILTON producer Jeffrey Seller, who was instrumental in developing the HAMILTON Education Program, says about the program in Chicago, "Our goal is to ensure that students have a shot to see HAMILTON and use its words, music and staging to further their understanding and enjoyment of American History, music and drama. We've had the pleasure of expanding the education program outside of New York in Chicago and other cities around the country."
Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool states, "We are thrilled that so many CPS students are learning about one of our nation's Founding Fathers through the HAMILTON Education Program, and that they will have the opportunity to see this acclaimed musical. By combining the study of American history with an appreciation for the arts, we are giving students the well-rounded education they need to become successful thinkers and leaders. Huge thanks to HAMILTON, the local funders and Gilder Lehrman for providing Chicago's youth with this unique opportunity."
Funders of the HAMILTON Education Program in Chicago include:
The Crown and Goodman Family
Ken Griffin
The Joyce Foundation
Polk Bros. Foundation
Pritzker Foundation
Pritzker Traubert Family Foundation
Robert R. McCormick Foundation
Schools participating in the November 29, 2017 event include:
Amundsen High School
Auburn High School
Broad Ripple Magnet High School for the Arts and Humanities
Carl Schurz High School
Chicago Tech Academy High School
Clay High School
Curie High School
Fenger Academy High School
George Washington Carver Military Academy HS
Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep
John F. Kennedy High School
John Hancock College Prep HS
Mississinewa High School
Noble - Noble Street College Prep
Noble - Rowe-Clark Math and Science Academy
North Lawndale College Prep High School- Christiana Campus
North-Grand High School
Perspectives Charter Rodney D. Joslin
Perspectives IIT Math & Science Academy
Prosser Career Academy
South Newton High School
United Township High School
Waukegan High School
Wendell Phillips Academy High School
?William H. Wells Community Academy High School
The Rockefeller Foundation provided an initial grant of $1.46 million that funded the educational partnership in New York City. After the resounding success of the partnership in New York, The Rockefeller Foundation committed an additional $6 million to the effort to support the national expansion of the program. The Rockefeller Foundation has a long history of supporting the arts and humanities, fueled by a belief that the cultivation of aesthetic sensibilities through literature, music and other fine arts is essential to the well-being of humanity. The HAMILTON Education Program underscores the Foundation's commitment to nurturing the vitality of American cultural institutions and the role of the arts as a catalyst for social change.
Dr. Rajiv Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation said "After the initial success of the partnership in New York City we could not throw away our shot to ensure students across the United States had the opportunity to witness living breathing history. We look forward to seeing the creativity and engagement this program continues to spur."
The HAMILTON producers are making tickets for this educational partnership available for $70, $60 of which is subsidized by funders. Tickets will cost $10 for each student.
ABOUT HAMILTON
With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, directed by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical direction and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow's biography. HAMILTON, winner of 11 Tony Awards including Best Musical, is the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War, and was the nation's first Treasury Secretary. HAMILTON's score blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway – the story of America then, told by America now.
For information on HAMILTON, visit www.HamiltonOnBroadway.com, www.facebook.com/HamiltonMusical, www.Instagram.com/HamiltonMusical and www.Twitter.com/HamiltonMusical.
ABOUT THE GILDER LEHRMAN INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN HISTORY
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is a nonprofit organization devoted to the teaching and learning of American history. To provide resources and programs for educators and students, the Institute draws on top scholars, an unparalleled collection of original historical documents, and a network of more than 11,000 Affiliate Schools across the country. As a leading provider of K-12 programs, the Institute supports tens of thousands of teachers and millions of students in elementary and secondary schools in all 50 states and 39 foreign countries.
For information on The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, visit www.gilderlehrman.org, www.Facebook.com/gilderlehrman, http://gopride.com/Zdom and https://twitter.com/Gilder_Lehrman.
ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 17 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining well up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago's Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, Oriental Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
**From a press release**
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