Theater
HMS enjoys a fruitful relationship with the education outreach arm of Walnut Street Theatre (WST) in Center City Philadelphia.
For many years WST’s acting apprentices have visited HMS to perform. Starting in 2004 HMS and WST staff developed a weekly, interactive theater-arts program that introduces students to the concepts of taking on theatric roles, developing simple dramatic plot lines and performing original works using costumes, props and communication devices.
Many students respond enthusiastically to this activity that encourages social interaction, promotes development of communication skills and provides students an important outlet for expressing feelings and for having fun. What began as an after-school pilot project for resident students has expanded both in school and after-school programs, with all children now participating in a theater-arts program.