ARTS Partners
Rochester Broadway Theatre League
Recognizing the importance of arts integration in the classroom, RBTL partners with schools throughout the area as part of our ARTS (Arts Reaching and Teaching in Schools) Partners program.
The program allows teachers to integrate the arts into their curriculums year-round, and offers customization for students in grades UPK-12. RBTL starts by selecting touring Broadway productions scheduled to play at the West Herr Auditorium Theatre. Units and student-centered inquiries centered on show topics and themes are then written and fully aligned to the Common Core Standards. RBTL then works with teachers to adapt these units into age-appropriate lessons for classroom learning.
As part of the program, an RBTL representative visits participating schools to lead professional development sessions and/or work directly with students. The culmination of the program is that all students working on the curriculum in the district are then given the opportunity to be fully immersed in the live theatre experience by attending the correlating Touring Broadway production at the West Herr Auditorium Theatre. When possible, Theatre tours and interactions with members of the productions are also provided.
This is a unique opportunity in a time when funding for the arts is often cut from school budgets, and it has been proven that arts integration increases engagement and attendance in the classroom while decreasing behavioral incidents. This ARTS Partners Program ensures that arts education is provided to as many local students as possible.
For more information, please contact Holly Valentine at (585) 277-3338 or [email protected].
2026-2027 THEME:
WHERE DREAMS BEGIN AND STORIES START
Curricular overviews below.
BOOP! THE MUSICAL
Oct. 3-10, 2026
(Grades 4+)
- Identity
- Self-discovery
- Personal growth
- Fame
- Resilience
ALICIA KEYS' HELL'S KITCHEN
Nov. 3-8, 2026
(High School)
- Mentors
- Manifesting dreams
- Power of music
- Embracing family and friends
- Parent/child relationship
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Dec. 1-6, 2026
(Grades 2+)
- Confidence
- Embracing youth
- Safety vs. risk
- What is worth fighting for?
- Historical connections
THE NOTEBOOK
Feb. 16-21, 2027
(High School)
- Enduring power of love
- Things we do for love
- Writing and sharing your own story
- Alzheimer’s awareness
DISNEY'S THE LION KING
Apr. 28-May 16, 2027
(All Grades)
- Circle of life
- Responsibility
- Honesty
- Creativity and artistry
- Heritage – who lives in you?
THE OUTSIDERS
June 15-20, 2027
(Grades 7+)
- Bias/identity
- Being true to yourself
- Rites of passage
- Friendship
- Storytelling through movement
- Connection