Teton County School District (TCSD) #1 Press Release
JACKSON, Wyo. — Missoula Children’s Theater is headed to Munger Mountain Elementary School for a weeklong residency, Oct. 9 to 14, with a performance Saturday, Oct. 14.
The annual residency includes workshops for all third to fifth-grade students as a way to introduce Hispanic children and families to community theater.
Students in After the Bell club at Munger Mountain Elementary are also able to participate in two other programs this fall. Students in kindergarten to second grade can participate in “Play Shop,” a collaboration with Nanci Turner Stevenson and Off Square Theater. Students in grades three to five can participate in “On Stage!” with teachers Brit Hoyt and Carmen Vallardes.
According to TCSD #1, participation in theater improves reading comprehension, verbal and non-verbal communication skills and increases motivation. Research also finds that students involved in theater programs have a higher self-concept as well as higher levels of empathy for and acceptance of others. Improvisation contributes to improved reading achievement and attitude toward academics in disadvantaged students.
