Lucca Celebron-Brown’s journey into the arts this semester took him to Providence Day’s fall course, Theatre Around the World.

Lucca’s learning that the course goes beyond the stage.

“[The class] is important because it helps us be better global citizens,” Lucca, a freshman, says, “and better expand our horizons by opening our eyes to new cultures.”

Theatre Around the World is a semester-long class offered each fall that examines theatrical traditions worldwide. Throughout the semester, students study Asian, Greek, and Medieval theatre. European traditions, including Shakespeare, African and Caribbean theatre, and Latin America and Indigenous or Folk theatre, are also studied.

Upper School Theatre Director Brooke Fulton created the course after her first year at Providence Day. The class watches example videos of performances or reads a play that exemplifies theatre in a particular area and/or time period.

At the end of each unit, students have the opportunity to share what they have learned by selecting a project. For example, when students studied Japanese theatre, some students created a Kabuki-style play of their own. One student hand-crafted a Kabuki mask.

“The best part has been the projects at the end of the unit,” Freshman Luke Longin says. “At the end of each unit, we get to do something to show what we learned. It can be anything from making a special mask to putting on a specific type of play. It’s always a ton of fun and very interesting.”

Ms. Fulton created the class to fit Providence Day’s global studies focus.

“When I realized how important Global Studies is to our community and our students, I wanted to give them more options to explore that interest in theatre,” Fulton says.

Ms. Fulton offers two courses that serve a dual purpose: earning credit in Global Studies and Arts. Theatre Around the World and ReACT Theatre are offered in the spring.

“I remember learning a lot about Australian theater and thinking that was really interesting, as well as Japanese theater,” says Kate Oliphant, who took Theatre Around the World last year. “I also happened to go to Japan last year, and it was really interesting to see one of those kabuki plays we talked about in class.

“It helped to enrich my experience of going to Japan.”

Adds Ms. Fulton: “Theatre is universal and valued in many cultures throughout the world. It gives us a glimpse into how others live, tell stories, explore important issues, and even celebrate their culture all in a fun, creative way.”