Student Programs

ENACT's student programs are designed to promote self-awareness and behavior change within a classroom setting. Ideal for all student populations (Pre-K to 12)our signature method of theatre games, reflective role-play, and guided facilitation, enables young people to recognize, think about, and regulate their emotions and behavior. Improving these skills helps them constructively address obstacles that get in the way of their success in school and the community.

Led by a pair of diverse, engaging teaching artists, our interactive workshops allow students to create scenes and use improvisational drama to act out and understand the many challenges they face and experience themselves from different perspectives. The ENACT teaching artists work to create a safe place for self-expression, within which students learn to:

  • Reflect on and communicate feelings.
  • Identify decision-making moments.
  • Recognize the impact of their actions.
  • Self-regulate their behavior.
  • Navigate toward positive outcomes.

Students programs can be designed from four days in length to full year programs and can be customized to address specific concerns, such as high dropout rates, violence, student engagement, and low attendance, according to the particular needs of each school. Sample topics include:

  • Peer pressure
  • Conflict resolution
  • Anti-bullying
  • Diversity issues
  • Adult-child communication

We will work together with the schools to design a program and schedule that best serves the students needs. We can work in-school, after-school, or on Saturdays.

In 2009-10, based on ENACT’s reputation and ability to work with highly resistant and “hard to reach” youth, for the fourth year in a row, the New York City Department of Education selected ENACT to provide student workshops to Alternate Learning Centers (ALC). ALCs are suspension centers where students attend for a period of 6 to 90 days after having been removed from their original school by the superintendent for serious, persistent, threatening behavior. In total during the 2009-10 school year, ENACT worked with 432 students in 13 ALCs, most of whom have histories of violent behavior and recidivism.

If you’re interested in learning how to bring ENACT’s student programs to your school, please contact Leslie Wright, Workshop Manager, at (212) 741-6591 ext. 214 or leslie.wright@enact.org for more information and rates.