Residency goals include helping students:

"Piti Theatre was instrumental in our class simulation of the proposed siting of a waste incinerator. Students learned technique and had opportunities to practice skills that are critical to both civic engagement and theater: public speaking, collaboration, perspective-taking, improvisation and critical judgement to real-world scenarios. Students learned with a sense of joy as they used props, petitions, art, speeches and even protests to help make their voices heard. Working with Piti Theatre showed that theatre is a powerful, inquiry-based teaching method where dramatic activities engage students' imaginations, develop critical thinking skills, and enriching the learning experience for all involved." - Brennan Tierney, 8th Grade Social Studies, Mohawk Trail Regional School

"Piti Theatre's therapeutic drama and improvisation techniques have significantly benefitted Mohawk Trail Supported Classroom students through identity exploration and refinement, building prosocial behaviors, and directly teaching social skills to maintain and achieve shared goals through games, role playing, improvisation and storytelling drawing on their personal experiences. Our teachers and students have been grateful for their offerings and we are hopeful they can return for a third year!"

- Brett Billings, Clinician, Mohawk Trail Supported Classroom

"The initial series of workshops at the library has given rise to a dedicated group of teenage thespians who delight in writing their own plays and performing them for family audiences . . . The teens involved could not have progressed to this point without the help of Piti Theatre . . . I could never have guided them by myself to the point of success that they have reached. Working with Piti has melded this widely varied group into a supportive, creative, and productive teen cast." - Candace Cross, Wheeler Memorial Library, Orange

Download a Letter of Recommendation

We believe participation in the performing arts enlarges teenager's repertoire as learners, team members and leaders. We work with teachers and administrators to custom-fit our programs to complement what's happening in the classroom. All residencies are adjustable in length and numbers of participants. Funding has come from schools/PTO's, local cultural council grants, the Mass Cultural Council STARS program, the Community Foundation of Western MA, Mass Humanities and other sources. New England residencies outside of MA are eligible for NEST funds from the New England Foundation for the Arts.