ArtsReach is the education and outreach program of Irvine Barclay Theatre and is supported in part by the efforts of Encore Circle, the Barclay's founding support group.

The purpose of the program is to match up educational opportunities for local schools and organizations with the professional artists appearing as part of the Barclay's presented season. The program is designed to foster appreciation and knowledge of the performing arts among students and community groups. The offerings change each season to correspond with the skills and interests of the participating artists. By bringing the exciting artists who appear on the Barclay stage to local classrooms - and offering educational events at the Barclay -- ArtsReach provides a personal introduction to music, dance and theatre with the innovative artists who create and perform around the world.

ArtsReach includes the following type of activities:

ArtsReach is the education and outreach program of Irvine Barclay Theatre and is supported in part by the efforts of Encore Circle, the Barclay's founding support group.

The purpose of the program is to match up educational opportunities for local schools and organizations with the professional artists appearing as part of the Barclay's presented season. The program is designed to foster appreciation and knowledge of the performing arts among students and community groups. The offerings change each season to correspond with the skills and interests of the participating artists. By bringing the exciting artists who appear on the Barclay stage to local classrooms - and offering educational events at the Barclay -- ArtsReach provides a personal introduction to music, dance and theatre with the innovative artists who create and perform around the world.

ArtsReach includes the following type of activities:

IN THE SCHOOLS - Professional artists, appearing as part of the Barclay's season, present workshops in area schools in small group settings. Students are also invited to purchase discounted tickets (as available) for these artists' mainstage performances.

IN THE THEATRE - Professional performance groups, often dance companies and music ensembles, present daytime lecture/demonstrations at the theatre. Guided tours of the Barclay's backstage, house, and lobby areas are often included during student visits to the theatre. Lecture/demonstrations are generally performed to larger groups of students, but are designed to create the "up close and personal" feel of the in-school program, with question and answer sessions or other opportunities for active participation appropriate to the specific presentation. Also, the Barclay traditionally offers a number of discounted "family performances," designed so that parents and children may enjoy the performing arts together

IN THE COMMUNITY - The Barclay coordinates a young writer's contest, in which young people ages 8 through 12 are invited to submit original short stories. Held in collaboration with the Orange County Public Library, the contest finalists will have their stories published in a bound volume, which will be available in all 27 branches of the library. When appropriate, ArtsReach takes the professional artists appearing during the season into various local community centers for workshops and mini-performances. In the current season the Barclay arranged for Eliot Feld and Ballet Tech to spend 5 days working with the children at St. Joseph Ballet in Santa Ana.

For more information on ArtsReach activities - to volunteer - to become an ArtsReach sponsor - please call the Development Office at (949) 854-4607.