Center for the Arts will present the acclaimed stage play, Beyond the Walls, to its virtual Theatre Kids Program. The production is a virtual performance of stage play Layer the Walls, exploring stories of a tenement apartment in New York City that was once home to hundreds of new immigrants in three episodes. Using Shadow and Bunraku puppetry, along with masks, the stories of Irish, Italian, and Jewish families are brought together like never seen before.

Over three episodes, students will explore the themes prevalent in Beyond the Walls. Each episode includes an artist introduction that provides context for the excerpt and poses initial questions, an excerpt from the Layer the Walls stage performance, and post-excerpt conversation/Q&A. The artists will discuss some of the questions often asked by audience members, allowing a deeper dive into the content.

Beyond the Walls is available to all area schools and home school children through its Connecting Kids Theatre Kids Program from September 7 to December 6, 2021.

This performance is suggested for students third grade through seventh grade. Each episode is 25 minutes or less. Educators will receive a password-protected link to access the video on Vimeo, as well as a study guide.

As the performance is virtual, there is an unlimited number of classrooms and homeschoolers who can participate.

Cost is $50 per classroom (11-45 students); $10 per homeschool group (1-10 students). Fees will be waived for Title 1 schools and non-profit organizations. 

Educators can register online through the Chandler Center for the Arts website.

For more information on Chandler Center for the Arts and its Theatre Kids Program, call 480-782-2680.