In his award-winning book “The Rise of the Creative Class,” Richard Florida explains the rise of a new social and economic class, including engineers, architects, artists, entertainers, educators and the like, that he calls the Creative Class.  He examines how and why we value and cultivate creativity more intensely than ever before and how it is vital to the future of our cities.  MTPA intends to structure its educational component on this premise and become educational partners for arts integration with the schools, our cultural institutions and the workplace.   

The theatre opens up a vast array of opportunities and will serve as an educational and explorative playground for teachers from all disciplines, artists, juvenile justice and social service workers and business people. As well, it will bring students into the world of art through investigations that actively engage them in perception, exploration, art-making, research, reflection and discussion.  Teacher workshops, student access to performances, performance materials, arts-integrated residencies, internships, professional development projects — all will have a place in MTPA’s educational component. Preliminary discussions with Michael Kaiser, President of the Kennedy Center, yielded many solid ideas for partnership opportunities with the Center, including sharing programs and professional development workshops for teachers.

The theatre has been endorsed by Kevin M. Maxwell, Superintendent of Schools for Anne Arundel County; John Ceschini, Executive Director of Arts Education in Maryland Schools Alliance;  Reginald Broddie, Chief Professional Officer of the Boys and Girls Club of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County and Marcella Yedid, Head of School, The Key School.  Studies are underway with these groups to determine how the theatre can best use its resources to expand and improve the world of our youth through the arts.