Education
As part of our mission, The Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House is pleased to offer educational programming to celebrate and promote the vision and legacy of Eugene O’Neill. Current programming focuses mainly on high school engagement and educational engagement guides, but expansion will include programs for adults, as well as future college courses. Scroll down for more...
Online Resources
During the production of some of our recent performances, we developed many resources for educators to use in their classrooms.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find:
Videos of performances, interviews with actors, director Eric Fraisher Hayes, O’Neill scholars from around the world, as well as our Ghosts of Tao House short films.
Our full-length Tao House film of Beyond the Horizon by Eric Fraisher Hayes can be streamed for free HERE
Watch the film of Welded also on YouTube
Read and download our various educational engagement guides:
"Anna Christie" Engagement Guide by Dramaturg and President of the Eugene O'Neill Society, Katie Johnson. We also have question prompts to enhance any "Anna Christie" discussion and bonus discussion prompts HERE.
A Moon for the Misbegotten Engagement Guide by Miami University students and Katie Johnson.
Beyond the Horizon Engagement Guide by Dramaturg Beth Wynstra can be read or downloaded also.
Studio retreat
Our free 10-day Studio Retreat in June is recognized as a distinctive educational program designed to provide a more thorough understanding of playwright Eugene O’Neill and his essential place in American drama while encouraging students to reach a new level of creativity within their own work. By collaborating with local theatre professionals, participants in this 10-day workshop gain valuable, hands-on insight into what the careers of working actors, playwrights, directors, and stage designers actually entail. We cater to all high school Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.
The Eugene O’Neill Foundation, in partnership with the National Park Service, provides these educational programs FREE, with the generous support of the The Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation and the Wood Foundation.
Actors
Working with an industry veteran, you will get a taste of professional acting techniques that you can use to enrich your performances. The day will include some games, short scene work, and techniques on how to approach character, movement, voice, actions, and motivations. You will walk away with a taste of the type of training offered in popular BFA/MFA programs, as well as some insight into the business of acting as a career.
Playwrights
Our Playwriting workshop focuses on play structure and character development. You will spend some time soaking up the incredible creative energy of Tao House and do some writing exercises that engage the imagination while building a road map for your writing process. Come prepared to write and to open your mind to what you have to offer the world of playwriting.
Directors
A theatre director is the creative professional that manages the process from casting through live performance, therefore it is critical to understand the role and process of the actor as well as the playwright. By floating between the Actor and Playwright track as well as working with accomplished directors, you will be immersed in the creative decisions that bring a play to fruition, giving life to a playwright’s work while also adding a director’s unique sense of style and design.
Lunch is provided daily to students, along with snacks and water throughout the day. As direct access to the O’Neill Historic Site via car is not allowed, the National Park Service shuttles students to/from the site, from the Walnut Creek BART Station, Museum of the San Ramon Valley, Danville, or the Danville Park & Ride at Sycamore Valley. Please indicate which location you prefer when applying. Studio Retreat will support students’ use of BART.
This program is made possible by generous grants from:
The Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation
The Wood Family Foundation
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