A New Year of Secret Histories!
Our 2025 Secret Histories arts education program has launched in 5 NYC schools! This year, we are proud to present several multilingual performances, reflecting the diverse linguistic backgrounds of our students and communities, and enhancing access for ENL (English as a New Language) students.
Secret Histories is a multi-week residency program, adapted from our ongoing interview-based Undesirable Elements series, that showcases local individuals telling their own powerful stories of culture, identity, and belonging on stage. The program is for grades 3-12 and helps young people in NYC public schools develop confidence, connectedness, and empathy as they learn to express their unique voices and perspectives through documentary theater. Over the decades, our residencies have grown in scope and reach, and this year we are excited to be working in 15 classrooms across NYC!
Prior to the residencies, skilled theater teaching artists are trained in PCC’s community-engaged storytelling curriculum. These dedicated individuals are essential to the success of each residency: they work with students to transform their individual stories into a collective performance by using theater and ensemble skills to make vocal and gestural choices that enhance storytelling expression. The rehearsal process builds community. Our most recent 2-day training process concluded on January 21st at Downtown Art.
School residencies begin with a live performance of PCC’s Secret Histories. Secret Histories is an Undesirable Elements show adapted for school-age audiences and features the true stories of immigrants and first-generation New Yorkers. Following the performance, there is a post-show Q&A with cast members where students ask questions about the experience of sharing true stories in a theatrical context.
On February 7th, we presented excerpts from the production at Edward R. Murrow High School in FOUR languages - English, Mandarin, Spanish, & Russian. Looking ahead, on February 28th we will present excerpts from the show in both Spanish and English at New York Public Library for the Performing Art’s Bruno Walters Auditorium, for students from PS 191 & MS 247 Dual Language Middle School - where 98% of students speak primarily Spanish.
After the performance, the residency is underway! Students develop personal narratives drawn from family and community histories and key life moments. They work with peers, teachers, and teaching artists on peer and family interviews, drama exercises, and writing activities to bring forth their own personal histories. Through this interactive process, students deepen their confidence and skills as writers, public speakers, and theatrical performers; they see their ideas come to fruition in a culminating community performance in front of their peers and family members.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates and happenings from our residencies in the coming months! In the meantime, if you have any questions about bringing Secret Histories to your school or organization, please reach out to our Education Director Christina Bixland at christina@pingchong.org.