Catalyst Theater

Inspire. Motivate. Catalyze.

Are you a principal looking for a creative entrée into the tough conversations about race, class, and opportunity? An organizational head in search of an outside-the-ordinary keynote presentation to set the stage for a memorable conference? A district leader hoping to start the school year off with an energized, razor-like focus on student success?

For more than a decade, Ed Trust’s artist-in-residence, Brooke Haycock, has staged powerful, one-woman docudramas based entirely on interviews with students and educators. Her work moves, challenges, and motivates teachers, administrators, policymakers, and parents with its aching portrayals of students on the margins, and hopeful messages about the power of educators to change young peoples’ lives.

E-mail Brooke or call her at 202/293-1217 ext. 330.

Getting Started: Theater Leadership Guide

Click here for ideas about how to pick the right performance to advance conversation and action in your school, community, or state.

Speak Unto Us

Based on more than 200 interviews with educators, industry leaders, advocates, parents, and youth in Louisiana, Speak Unto Us follows education policy into practice through the stories of two young men — Tre and Cody — promised a chance through a high school career diploma. But their stories unfold to reveal the human costs of academic under-preparation in a changed America and the dangers of good intentions misaligned.

Playwright’s Note: Each year in America, thousands of graduates like Tre and Cody leave our high schools without the skills they need for the world that awaits them. Their stories and struggles, isolated American tragedies unfolding just beyond the school doors, illustrate the devastating human costs of academic under-preparation for the individual. But in a nation beset by growing wealth and education gaps and economic uncertainty, the collective societal costs of leaving large concentrations of young Americans without the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they’ll need, are costs we together bear — and can ill afford.

“Fantastic. It really opened my eyes to a problem we as educators are helping to create.” —Education and Social Service Provider, Little Rock, Ark.

“I am moved beyond words. I am inspired to act — to do something.” —Master Teacher, Shreveport, La.

Examine the policy and practice of college and career preparation with Speak Unto Us.

American Grit

               Detroit Industry ty Diego Rivera                                                                                                                                                                                                      
Weaving data with narrative drawn from more than 300 interviews with youth, educators, and leaders from higher education, business and industry, American Grit whips into a fever pitch a 100-year-old debate in education about the very role of secondary schools in America and what—and whose — children need to succeed.

This new docudrama follows cousins Deja and Darnell out the high school doors and deep into a post-industrial America, exposing the fault lines in the rhetoric of college and career readiness "for all" that swallow too many students and shake the very foundation of American Prosperity.  

"The combination of data and performance was very powerful. I've never seen anything like it." —School administrator, Nev.

"Truth." —High school student, Neb.

Advance honest conversations about college and career readiness with American Grit.

Catalyst

Catalyst is an unflinching portrayal of the power of educators to change students’ lives. Following two young men, Carl and Isaiah, Catalyst takes on the tough questions of student engagement, bringing audiences face to face with some of the most devastating — and inspiring — images of student transformation. Contrasts in student engagement, institutional power, and individual responsibility project from the stage to an audience that may see its own reflection in some of the characters.

“We used Catalyst at a recent symposium on black boys in education. The performance powerfully illustrated much of what was said that day and provided a helpful frame.” — State leader

“Powerful is an understatement. This performance was riveting.”—Reading and school leadership program director, Mississippi

Jumpstart conversation and change in your school with Catalyst.

Buzz: Defying Expectations and Other Lessons from the Bumblebee

A testimony to hope, hard work, and high expectations, Buzz chronicles the educational struggles, and ultimate triumphs, of educators who defy perceptions about what high-poverty schools — and students — can do.

“We needed an inspirational presenter for our fall state conference to remind our people how important our work is — and how urgent.” — State leader

“You said it all! I can’t wait until Monday to see my students again.” — Teacher

Reinvigorate hard-working, can-do teachers with Buzz.

Dilated Pupils and the Not-So-Soft Bigotry of a Nation

Dilated Pupils and the Not-So-Soft Bigotry of a Nation takes audiences on a whirlwind tour through the high school doors, past the metal detectors, straight into the lives of three high school students. The show powerfully illustrates the devastating effect of low expectations on student achievement, and the need for change now.

“We were struggling to get our principals all on board with change efforts. Using Dilated Pupils at our principal retreat took all the hemming and hawing out of the room so we could move ahead with the actual work.”— District leader

“I was that guy. I was one of those teachers. I am going to go back to my classroom tomorrow, and I am going to do some things differently.” —Teacher, New Orleans public schools

Challenge adult expectations with Dilated Pupils.

Six Degrees of Preparation

Commissioned by a state body of higher education, Six Degrees of Preparation exposes damaging belief systems and practices in school districts and schools of education, vividly portraying their effect on new teachers and the children they serve. Pulling from more than 300 interviews with teachers, teacher candidates, teacher educators, teacher leaders, and students, Six Degrees brings issues of teacher preparation, support, and retention into stark relief.

“As hard as this show is to see, it is inspiring. It reminds me why we work as hard as we do and why — at my age — I’m still doing this.” —State department of education administrator, New York

Shake up your teacher education or induction program with Six Degrees.