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Nine hundred New York City students from 13 NYC public high schools who are currently participating in Theatre Development Fund’s Stage Doors Program are scheduled to see Chazz Palminteri perform his play, A Bronx Tale at the Walter Kerr Theatre at a special matinee performance this Wednesday, November 14. 

Since it was just announced that all of tomorrow’s matinees have been cancelled due to the current Broadway stagehands strike, Mr. Palminteri has agreed to meet with the students at Town Hall for a conversational question and answer session.  The students had been preparing in their classrooms to see A Bronx Tale with special workshops provided by TDF.

“It was extremely generous of Mr. Palminteri to agree to meet with the students in our Stage Doors program,” said TDF’s Education Director, Marianna Houston. “His play really drives home a positive message for today’s youth. Even though it won’t be possible for them to see his play until the strike has been resolved, his meeting with them and answering their questions will make for an unforgettable experience.”

The 900 students are from Beacon High School, Bayard Rustin, Norman Thomas High School, Washington Irving High School and Essex Street Academy in Manhattan; Forest Hills High School, Cardoza High School in Queens; Prospect Heights International Academy, William Grady High School, Brooklyn Academy in Brooklyn; Susan E. Wagner High School in Staten Island and Bronx Leadership Academy and Bronx High School for the Visual Arts in The Bronx.

TDF’s Stage Doors is a project-based arts education program that provides middle and high school students with a meaningful introduction to live theatre.  Each participating class attends a Broadway or Off Broadway performance and participates in eight in-class workshops: four workshops conducted by a guest teaching artist and the other four conducted by the classroom teacher.  During these workshops the students are engaged in a classroom project which serves as preparation for the performance while giving them an opportunity to experience the creative process first hand.  This program is offered at no cost to the school or students. This school year Stage Doors is serving over 5,000 students in 45 NYC schools.

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