Last Wednesday a group of 11th grade students went to see Hamilton live on Broadway! This was a rare and wonderful opportunity made possible by Gilder Lehrman and the Rockefeller Foundation. In addition to the show, students were able to participate in a Q&A with the cast and crew afterwards. It was truly a wonderful experience, from the performance to the knowledge that came with it.
In order to participate in the event, students were required to create a short video based on the founding era. Attending student, Olivia Sokolowska, described the project as a learning experience: “Through the project I learned more than I previously knew about founding era history.” Students had to do their own research, and find their own primary sources, encouraging them to really get their nails in and learn. Olivia added, “The hardest part of the project was scheduling and coordinating, but the best part was filming”. Not only did students learn, but they had fun throughout the process, getting a chance to leave the classroom and take part in an activity they don’t typically have the opportunity to in school. Additionally, it sparked creative thinking, giving the students a new perspective on history.
Arriving at the theater, students were escorted to their seats and settled in for the performance. Being on Broadway, the theater was very fancy, with comfortable seats, intricate patterns on the walls, and beautiful lights. The experience itself was very immersive, using up most all your senses, giving you a feeling unlike any other. Ingrid Salas noted, “When you watch them, they make you feel a certain way, which is really good for a performance because it captures your audience.” The actors’ ability to play with your emotions and pull you onto the stage is a unique talent that creates the experience. For many students this was their first live musical, and it definitely exceeded expectations. Oscar Ixcamparij reflected, “I thought the show was very interesting and beautiful with the choreography, vocals, and historic relevance.”
One of the aspects of Hamilton that separates the act from others is its unique use of choreography and modern music in a historical context. It is a very creative mix of genres that was artfully blended together to be a seamless and cohesive performance. Thony Cielo thought so as well: “I thought the rotating stage effect was really interesting, and the way they would freeze scenes to portray how the characters were feeling.” This is just another example of how the performance utilizes its set to the full extent. Each prop was used throughout the show multiple times, in different contexts. The performers were able to take something so simple and apply it to multiple scenes, making sense in each one.
Not only was the experience so immersive, efficient, and moving, it also helped the students gain understanding of founding era history. Oscar Ixcamparij commented, “The musical taught us the impact Hamiltion had on the creation of the US government, as well as the lasting impact he has on us today.” Being able to see history is a whole different learning experience than reading about it in class. Additionally, it is a great way to put history in a context more interesting for high school students. Thony Cielo agrees: “It helps you understand history outside the classroom by displaying their emotions at the time. Also the jokes they made helped make the experience fun and relatable for high school students.” Understanding how the historical figures may have felt while they were making history also helps make them human. It becomes relatable, therefore easier to understand.
Watching the show with a theater packed to the brim with teenagers also adds a sense of community and liveliness to the show. Hearing a crowd of high schoolers gasp, applaud, and laugh in unison creates the feeling of being a part of something bigger than yourself. Even the actors admitted in the Q&A that performing for students makes the experience more enjoyable for them.
Amina Clyde provides her thoughts
Hamilton is the hit Broadway play written by Lin-Manuel Miranda back on January 20th of 2015. It is an American musical set in the founding era, recounting crucial moments in treasury Alexander Hamilton’s life, from his escapades in the army during the American revolution, to his eventual death.
The play was an immediate success, as Miranda captivated audiences with his incredible word play and catchy songs. Along with its musical successes, Hamilton also rose in popularity for its inclusion of multiple races playing originally white characters. This allowed those races to take some power back from the darker parts of history and placed them in the roles of president or secretary of state or rich figures like Angelica and Elizabeth Schuyler.
Now in its seventh year, with mostly new cast members, the play is still packed with people eager to watch the entertaining and bittersweet musical.
But as most know, Broadway is expensive. To get good seats and see such a popular show is near impossible for the average teen.
That’s where The Rockefeller Foundation and The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History come in.
Collaborating in 2015, both organizations along with the DOE set up a program that allowed 20,000 New York Public Schools to go see the show the next year in 2016.
One of these 20,000 schools happened to be Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design.
So that bears the question:
What do you have to do to get a seat?
The process is rather simple for what you are getting; a free ticket to a popular Broadway show on a school day.
First, students are asked to sign a slip for their parents consent to go on the trip, plus a waiver and confirmation for the theater and program. There are limited spots, which makes it all the more pressing to get your slip signed. However, there is a waiting list for last minute absences or spontaneous changes down the line, as the slips are given out fairly early.
Secondly, the students are required to create a project that shows their understanding of the founding era. In groups of no more than three, students can select which event they want to center their poem, song, video, etc, around.
That project gets sent to the US history teacher, Ms. Weinstein, and only one more thing has to be done before your spot is fully secured; a survey.
After that, it’s all about the trip.
All schools are lined up and are given their tickets before filing into the theater. With roughly thirty minutes before the show starts, students have a chance to switch seats, use the bathroom, get snacks, and take pictures before the lights dim.
It was truly an amazing experience for me because I have been a fan for so long, but this is my first time seeing it in person. Aside from a very rowdy school being kicked out, the show went pretty smoothly for a room filled with teenagers.
There’s a Q&A after the play, where schools submit questions and cast mates ranging from the ensemble, characters, and even backstage members like hair and makeup, answer them.
All in all, it truly was a generous and incredible opportunity to be able to watch, especially for free. With the cast forever changing, and once again for a play in its seventh year, Hamilton truly is a timeless musical.
To hear more about the starting of the program: