ACE Theater Program Description

ACE~Theater provides professional development in theater education for teams of teachers from Minnesota public schools. During the year, K-8 teachers will attend 5 days of theater education workshops at the Perpich Center and receive school-site consulting from ACE Instructors and Perpich Center staff.  

During the 2011-2012 school year, we anticipate that:

•       29 teachers from seven different schools will attend 5 days of workshops;

•       ACE~Theater Instructors will provide 42 site visit days to the participating schools;

•       More than 1800 students from six Congressional Districts will participate in multiple Theater lessons jointly presented by their teacher and the Theater Instructor.

Purpose of the Grants

The grants provide reimbursement to the schools for expenses incurred during the program: (1) substitute teacher coverage during planning days and workshop days;  (2) stipends of no more than $75 per day during summer workshops when teachers are off-contract; (3) travel and per diem expenses for those teachers traveling to the workshops from greater Minnesota; and (4) mileage reimbursement for up to two vehicles for teams whose school location is 30 or more miles from Perpich Center.

Selection Process:

During February 2011, email announcements about the ACE~ Theater program were sent to every K-8 School Principal in Minnesota and email notices were sent to teachers and arts educators in our contact lists. Center staff announced the opportunity at PDR workshops in both the metro area and greater Minnesota.  The Center's website provided online information and downloadable application forms. We received 12 complete applications from schools throughout Minnesota, including some schools that had no previous contact with Perpich Center programs.  The 12 applications were from six of the eight Congressional Districts: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8.

All applications were evaluated by the ACE~Theater Review Panel which met on April 27, 2011.

List of Schools                       

Foley Intermediate School (PreK-12)       

Foley, MN

Hawley Public School (7-12)      

Hawley, MN

Twin Cities German Immersion School (K-7)        

St. Paul, MN

Royalton Elementary School (K-6)       

Royalton, MN

Sheridan Elementary School (K-8)                      

Minneapolis, MN

Birch Grove Elementary (K-6)              

Brooklyn Park, MN

Anoka Middle School (6-8)     

Anoka, MN