The Renaissance Education Department strives to enhance the vibrancy of our community by providing quality arts experiences that engage and educate across generations.
Student Opportunities
Youth Ensembles
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Mansfield Youth Theatre (MY Theatre)
Mansfield Youth Theatre (MY Theatre), in collaboration with the Renaissance, is an excellent opportunity for students between the ages of 5 and 19 to gain theatre experience in a nurturing environment, as part of a large production. Led by MY Theatre founder and seasoned Youth Theatre Director Dauphne Maloney, offerings for the 2020-21 season include Disney’s Tarzan and Godspell. Sensory-friendly performances of these shows will be offered. For more information, email [email protected].
Renaissance Youth Opera Theatre (RYOT)
Renaissance Youth Opera Theatre (RYOT) embraces a child’s curiosity, and gives students in grades 2-12 the chance to explore the world of theatre—whether they are interested in acting, singing, dancing. Under the direction of Lori Turner, RYOT is an intensive experience in which students work directly with experts to learn choreography, music, acting. Auditions are held in September and February, and 2020-21 shows include Kiss Me Kate and Singin' in the Rain. For more information please contact Lori Turner at [email protected].
Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra
The Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra is made up of North Central Ohio's finest musicians, primarily in high school from a 12-county region. The MSYO is the only youth orchestra within a 65-mile radius of Mansfield and represents approximately 80 members each season who perform concerts both onstage at the Renaissance and in the community. For more information on the Youth Orchestra program, please contact Conductor Stephen Domka at [email protected].
Youth Strings
Since 1992, the MSO’s Youth Strings program has both complemented the musical instruction young people receive in their schools as well as provided a large ensemble experience to students who have no access to a school orchestra program. The Youth Strings is comprised of approximately 50 students, mainly in grades 6 through 10. For more information on the Youth Strings program, contact Conductor Anthony Springer at [email protected].
Workshops for Students
Improv Underground
Improv Underground classes offer high school and middle school students an outlet for their creativity and the opportunity to develop their stage presence. This fun and engaging course teaches quick thinking, builds confidence, and develops communication skills through fun group and individual improvisation exercises. Improv Underground is offered as a six-week after-school course each winter, beginning in February, with a “one night only” performance in April.
Broadway Camp
In just 5 days, students who attend our Broadway Camp create and perform a mini-musical review! Featuring the music of such contemporary musicals as The Lion King, Aladdin, Dear Evan Hansen, and Wicked, students explore the world of musical theatre in a special camp that focuses on the elements of performance through theatre games, improv, and dramatic play as well as staging and the opportunity to sing their hearts out. Broadway Camp is sensory-inclusive, with dates announced in spring 2021.
"Anytime" Workshops
As a partner of the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland, the Renaissance is proud to offer “Anytime” workshops, which include a specially–designed series of theatre programs that are appropriate for any age. These workshops combine learning, fun activities, and an exclusive backstage tour that will satisfy any theatre buff! Workshops offered include Fairy Princess (Daisies), American Girl (Brownies), Masquerade (Juniors), My Story (Cadettes), All the World’s a Stage (Seniors) and Make a Difference (Ambassadors).
School & Community Programs
Operation Bridge Building
Operation Bridge Building is the Mansfield Symphony’s major education initiative for schools. This program is designed to both enhance K-5 classroom courses, as well as support music education in our schools. The Operation Bridge Building program engages students and teachers alike by providing high quality symphonic programming and a curriculum that integrates the arts with academics. This program serves nearly 8,000 local students annually through in-school chamber concerts, full-scale symphony concerts at the Renaissance Theatre, and teacher & student study guides.
The Operation Bridge Building program is underwritten so that schools may participate free of charge. Without this support, schools would have to pay upwards of $4 per student to participate in this program. We are grateful for this gift, which represents a combined savings of over $25,000 to our local schools each year! Additional support is provided by the Percy Hall Fund.
Contact [email protected] to register to attend the symphony concerts or to schedule an in-school performance.
Teddy Bear Concerts
Teddy Bear concerts are performed in our smaller, more intimate blackbox theatre called Theatre 166. Geared to children ages 2 through 10, each Teddy Bear concert features audience participation, interactive storytelling with local actors, and live chamber music featuring the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra musicians. A relaxed environment, small audience sizes, light up, and low sound levels as well as safe sensory-friendly spaces ensure comfort and enjoyment for all audience members. The 2020-21 Season includes the following shows: Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Aladdin's Lamp.
Ghost Story ELA Field Trips
Ghost Story ELA field trips invite you to be our guests, and allow the historic Renaissance Theatre to become the backdrop for students’ imaginations! Using the theme of “Haunting the Ren,” students participate in theatre games as well as age-appropriate, customized activities to stimulate creative thinking. A tour of the theatre, complete with a ghost story or two, will culminate with students collaborating to create their own interactive versions of a Renaissance ghost story. Designed to align with the Ohio Learning Standards for English/Language Arts, your class will be encouraged to use qualities and details which will enhance any piece of writing.
Children's Theatre Foundation
Each year, the Renaissance partners with the Children’s Theatre Foundation to host their diverse season of educational theatre offerings to the surrounding school community. Children's Theatre Foundation is a separate non-profit organization whose goal is to provide top quality, live performances to school-age children in the North Central Ohio area. Tickets are available by contacting Julie Sliney at [email protected]. For more information on the Children's Theatre Foundation, visit www.childrenstheatrefoundation.com, or follow them on Facebook "Children's Theatre Foundation - CTF.
Creative Writing
Do you happen to know a K-12 grade student who loves to write stories? MindSprouts celebrates the imagination in every student by giving them the chance to see their stories come alive! Ren teaching artist Dauphne Maloney visits classrooms to conduct a jump-start writing session, leaving your student with the tools to submit a fully-developed story, poem, or play to the MindSprouts Writing Competition. Top submissions each year are developed into a script and produced on the Renaissance stage as part of the MindSprouts Showcase! Click here to learn more.
Professional Development
The Renaissance is a proud member of the Partners in Education program at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In collaboration with the Mansfield Art Center and Mansfield City Schools, this prestigious program provides high-quality professional development to educators. Workshops are open to any area teacher or school administrator, and are a fun, valuable opportunity to gain contact hours towards Continuing Education Credits (CEUs).