When Oren Alperin was preparing for high school, their passion for theater led them to enroll at the prestigious Brooklyn High School of the Arts. As a junior, Alperin has immersed themselves in a curriculum that includes acting, playwriting, and world theater classes alongside traditional subjects.
The experience at Brooklyn High School of the Arts has not only enhanced Alperin’s personal growth but also their academic skills. Collaborating with peers on projects like the play “Midnight Reunion,” Alperin has gained insight into community, trauma, and relationships through theater.
16-year-old Zavannah Deas echoes Alperin’s sentiments, highlighting how theater education has shaped her understanding of different cultures and people throughout history. However, such programs are not common, as indicated by Professor Erica Rosenfeld Halverson, emphasizing the uneven distribution of arts education across states.
The impact of COVID-19 on education has further underscored the importance of arts in fostering academic, social, and emotional well-being. Despite recent funding boosts through initiatives like the American Rescue Plan, there remains a pressing need to prioritize arts education for all students.
Teaching artists like Laura Epperson and Jody Drezner Alperin play a critical role in bridging gaps in arts education, providing valuable experiences that enhance students’ creativity, empathy, and cultural understanding. As calls for electoral reforms and increased financial investments in arts programs grow, the collective goal remains clear: to ensure every child has access to the transformative power of the arts.