Vital Voices is a Founding Partner of Brooklyn Theatre Arts High School (BTAHS) in Canarsie, Brooklyn. Vital Teaching Artists Gwenyth Reitz, Jen Bleier, Harold Lewter, JM Rossi, Leah McVeigh, Margo Boyd, Jad Bernardo, Elliott Kleinburd, Tyrone Robinson, Mariela Novoa, Holly Buczek, Ashley Zaragoza, Yoni Aguilar and Kyle Dixon facilitated student productions and offered residencies that integrate theatre arts into the core academic curriculum in order to fully engage students, while simultaneously building self esteem and teaching the skills necessary for creative expression.

Now in its eight year BTAHS offers two student productions each year, including a full length spring musical. Teaching Artists work with classroom teachers in Social Studies, Math, Science, Playwriting, ELA and Theatre to integrate theatre arts techniques into core curriculum BTA students are invited to Vital Theatre Career Days in their ninth- and tenth-grade years to take workshops with professional artists in a variety of disciplines such as Scenic and Costume Design, Auditioning, Marketing and Development, and Production. Juniors participate in the 11th Grade Playwriting residency and see their plays performed by a mix of professional actors and BTA student-actors.

Visit their website at www.BTAHS.org

clockwise : 1) David Bostic in August Wilson THE PIANO LESSON; 2) Warm up before LITTLE SHOP 3)Shekeiah King in 11th Grade Playwriting Project: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD 4) Cast members in GUYS AND DOLLS