1812 Education
1812 Education opens up the power of communication and expression for students through the art of comedy and theatre, giving them a new perspective on how to learn and connect with their communities, their education, and themselves.
Meet The Team
History
1812 Education is our unique, in-school theatre-education program that uses comedy's often-overlooked power to illuminate, empower, and unite students through community and joy.
Winner of the 2016 Victory Foundation Barrymore Award and the 2012 George Bartol Arts Education Award, 1812 Education is an in-school arts program that serves students at two Philadelphia public schools: South Philadelphia High School and The Widener Memorial School for Children with Disabilities. In operation since our inception, 1812 Education supplements the academic and the life skills curriculum at our partner schools by teaching students the basics of theater, including playwriting, acting, stage presence, and character development in weekly workshops.
Given the current financial instability of public education, programs like 1812 Education are an essential piece of a well-rounded education for public school students. 1812 Education seeks to bolster the arts for students with otherwise limited access to them. As a result of arts programs in schools, students have been shown to be more confident, more comfortable, and achieve higher grades. In particular, our program that focuses not just on theatre but on comedy works to help students see their world from a new perspective and find common ground with their peers while exploring their own self-expression and boosting their confidence. 1812 Education and our partner schools guide these students to discover the power of the arts, and, specifically, the power of theatre and laughter to open their minds, change their perspectives, and introduce them to new ways of learning.
Currently, 1812 Education serves approximately 100 students at two Philadelphia public schools. Widener Memorial School is composed of 50 young adults, 6 to 21 years old, who possess developmental, physical, or medical disabilities. South Philadelphia High School includes 50 students, 20 of those who are English Language Learners.
For more information about 1812 Education and its programs, please email Tanaquil Márquez, Education Director, at tanaquil@1812productions.org
1812 Productions at The Widener Memorial School
Photos by John Flak
