- Courtesy of Goodman Theatre’s Education and Community Engagement Programs
- Students rehearse for last year’s final GTS production.
The Goodman Theatre’s General Theater Studies program is an anomaly for both high school and the acting profession: it builds confidence and self-esteem instead of tearing them to shreds. Over the course of six weeks, the 80 student participants tell stories and improvise scenes based around a single theme which the adult “teaching artists” craft into a 90-minute performance piece. This year’s theme is “love,” and the show plays tonight and tomorrow at 7 PM at the Goodman.
The program, now in its eighth year, was developed by Willa Taylor, the Goodman’s director of education and community outreach. It’s funded by donations; there’s no tuition, and all performances are free.
“The first week, you feel awkward,” says Ariya Hawkins, 16. “By the third week, you feel like this is home.”
For many of the students, GTS is one of the few places where they feel it’s OK to be themselves instead of living up (or down) to expectations. Foster observes that Williams, as a young black man, felt he had to wear a hoodie and always act smart and tough; during his time in the program, he became comfortable enough to be funny and goofy, too.
