IN-SCHOOL RESIDENCIES
PLAYLABS
are restorative arts programs that augment public school education.
Playlab residencies are offered full-classroom-takeover style during the school day. Participating classrooms explore an existing story through performance, bringing the action to life in a short play.
We offer customizable in-school residencies.
MiStage Teaching Artists visit participating classrooms once per week, fitting seamlessly into an enrichment block and leading a specialized workshop right in the classroom.
Residencies range from one 90-minute workshop session to more in-depth three- to eight-week residencies.
We believe communities thrive with more opportunities to create, witness, and be part of live theater.
Our Approach
- We use theatre to bring stories to life!
- Our interactive, asset-based lessons promote student voice and creative play.
- We work with schools to choose a curriculum-aligned, grade-appropriate, and culturally relevant text.
- We teach and reinforce common core literary components through rehearsal and performance.
- We utilize improv and theatre games to establish teamwork, nurture healthy social and emotional learning (SEL), and model conflict resolution.
- We begin every session with a traditional actor warm-up to connect mind, breath, and body.
Curriculum-aligned arts enrichment that brings learning to life
What happens when students step inside the lesson instead of reading about it?
Playlabs Classroom Takeover transforms classrooms into immersive learning environments where students actively engage with curriculum through theater, improvisation, collaborative role-play, and creative problem solving. Every program is designed to support academic standards – strengthening literacy, communication, critical thinking, and social-emotional learning.
By combining arts enrichment with classroom content, Playlabs boosts student engagement, increases participation, and helps learners make meaningful, memorable connections to what they’re studying.
WHY PLAYLABS?
Curriculum-aligned instruction
Increased student engagement and participation
Stronger literacy and fluency skills
Collaboration and conflict resolution practice
Enhanced critical thinking and communication
On-the-job professional development for teachers
When students become participants instead of spectators, learning sticks.
That's the Playlabs difference.
PROGRAM OFFERINGS
K-2: Reader's Theater
Grades 3-5: Poetry and Curriculum Connections
Each Playlab focuses on building performance skills through ensemble-based work, improvisation, and individualized coaching. Playlabs culminate with a student-created original play to be performed on the final day of the program. Click here for more info.