Ford's Theater
Ford’s Theatre celebrates the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln and explores the American experience through theatre and education.
For more information, visit their website.
Education
The education program at Ford’s Theatre offers students, teachers, families, and adult learners a range of opportunities to deepen their knowledge and understanding of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, the significance of his death, and the legacy he left our nation. The Theatre’s education programs engage visitors to our museum, learning center, and website in powerful experiences and authentic inquiries using theatrical devices and examination of artifacts, among other methods.
General Description of Education Initiatives: Ford's Theatre education offers student-centered programs and professional development programs for teachers.
Historic Site Visits: We offer discounts when booking a group of 10 or more and a free tickets program for qualifying schools (max 40 tickets per trip). To qualify for free tickets, your school must be a:
D.C. Public School, D.C. Chartered Public School; or
D.C., Maryland and Virginia Title 1 school or school with 40% or more student eligible for FARMs; or
Title 1 school or school with 40% or more students eligible for FARMS outside the D.C. metro area
Student Matinee Program:
Ford’s Theatre offers weekday student matinees, post-show discussions and tailored lessons to complement curriculum. Our theatrical productions inspire audiences to become compassionate leaders in their own communities, empowering them to live out Lincoln’s principles and explore the American experience. A limited number of free tickets are available to D.C. public schools, Title I schools, and schools that have 40 percent or more students eligible for FARMs. Schools located within the Capital Beltway may also qualify for free bus transportation.
Teacher Preview Workshops:
Ford’s Theatre offers a free preview performance and workshop to Washington-area teachers before they bring their students. Teachers begin the evening with a complimentary dinner and networking with other teachers. Priority is given to teachers who are bringing their students to student matinee performances. Attendance is required by teachers receiving free student matinee tickets.
Teacher Professional Development:
We also offer summer teacher professional development weeks for teachers centered around placed-based learning strategies [The Civil War Washington Teacher Fellows and The Seat of War and Peace], and a multi-year teacher professional development program [the National Oratory Fellows], designed to build teacher capacity to use public-speaking and performance as a teaching and learning strategy in the classroom.
Student Oratory Programs:
In the Lincoln Oratory Festival, students strengthen their understanding of Civil War history, build vocabulary and hone their public speaking skills. Up to 20 classrooms in the D.C.-metro area work with a Ford’s teaching artist to study a speech by Abraham Lincoln and stage a class performance of it. On one of two Festival days in early February, these 20 classrooms perform their interpretation on stage at Ford’s Theatre. Open to grades 3-8, the program takes places October through early February.
Partnership with DC Collaborative
DC Collaborative member since 1998.
Ford's Theater is a founding member of the DC Collaborative!
"Being part of the Collaborative enables us to connect with arts and humanities education colleagues and make connections with DCPS and the chartered public schools. We are thrilled to be part of an organization that does so much to enhance and enrich arts and humanities education in the District."
Fun Fact! Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site and the Ford’s Theatre Society are partners in the operation and programming of Ford’s Theatre. The National Historic Site is part of the National Park Service, and the Society is an independent not-for-profit organization. In addition to being a historic site and museum, Ford's is a working theatre that produces four productions each season.
Contact their education department: Sarah Jenks at sjenks@fords.org or Alexandria Wood at education@fords.org.
