Literature Live!

Support This Initiative!

Literature Live! is a BOCES-approved Arts-in-Education program. Plays chosen are from standards-based literature and are supported with teacher-developed lesson plans and reference materials. All performances are 90 minutes and are followed by a question and answer session.

Directed by

Will Pomerantz

Cast


Sonnie Betts	Matthew Conlon	Teresa DeBerry	Kate Fitzgerald	Meg Gibson

Allen O'Reilly	Joe Pallister	Gabriel Portuondo	Keith Reddin	Anna Francesca Schiavoni

Literature Live! is a BOCES-approved Arts-in-Education program. Plays chosen are from standards-based literature and are supported with teacher-developed lesson plans and reference materials. All performances are 90 minutes and are followed by a question and answer session.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION

TEACHERS:

Attendance is free-of-charge.

Simply register your school with Director of Education & Community Outreach Allen O'Reilly at allen@baystreet.org or by phone at 631-725-0818.

What is Literature Live?

LITERATURE LIVE! brings the power of the word from the page to the stage. Using curriculum-based literature, Bay Street Theater creates a unique learning experience by bringing professional theater artists together to present first class productions. The possibilities for insight and understanding of the subject matter are only increased when students can witness the characters from a great play or novel living and breathing and telling their stories right before their eyes.

Why is it appropriate for schools?

Bay Street Theater will select standards-based literature, and this program will be supported with teacher-developed lesson plans and reference materials. In addition, we will provide a "Q&A" session with the cast.

Who should be viewing?

LITERATURE LIVE! is designed specifically with middle and high school age students, their teachers and administrators in mind. In most years, Bay Street Theater will present productions to family audiences, and other types of groups (such as seniors, churches, and temples) who may wish to attend.

How can you book your group or school?

Contact allen@baystreet.org to book your school today!

Lead Sponsor

Literature Live! is brought to our community by lead sponsor Century Arts Foundation, and also sponsored in part by Irvin Stern Foundation, Sunny & Abe Rosenberg Foundation, Alan & Annette Leve Foundation, The Neuwirth Foundation, The Town of Southampton, Bridgehampton Association, Rea Foundation, and an Anonymous Donor. Additional sponsors include Dime Community Bank, Michael Hebron, PSEG, DiSunno Arch, and Sag Harbor Books.

Testimonials from Teachers and Students

This is what Bay Street has provided to our students and the community. As a retired teacher of 34 years and one who has fought and is continuing to fight for arts education (specifically Theatre Education) I tip my hat and applaud all of you for a job incredibly well done.
Thank you for not only helping to create a successful production but also providing that experience that everyone deserves.

—Joe Minutillo, Director

Seeing the novel come to life in the theater provides my students with a greater understanding of the plot/story. We go every year. It’s a fantastic program. I revolve my fall curriculum around Literature Live productions.

—Teacher, Little Flower School

Watching the play gave students more control over the text by allowing them to reflect, make comparisons and re-experience the text.

—Teacher, Bayshore High School

The Literature Live! program consistently showcases superb productions of often-taught classic works; it dovetails beautifully with high school English Language Arts curricula, allowing students to experience a work read in class in a different medium, to analyze and compare directorial and authorial choices, and to think critically about genre, point of view, character motivation, and how a work changes from page to stage. The talk-backs with cast and director following student performances are an extra, enlightening treat. Literature Live! is a highlight of the year for students and faculty alike; we’re so lucky to have Bay Street Theatre close by and generously committed to supporting the education of local students.
Tom House, English Teacher, Bridgehampton School

I cannot say enough great things about this performance. The play was offered at an affordable price to students. It was wonderful to be able to utilize Bay Street for this student-friendly type performance...Having a play that connected to literature was valuable as a teaching tool…My students were so enthralled with the entire performance.
Jenn Fonocchiaro, Tuckahoe School

I would recommend this program because plays bring the book to life so the audience can experience what the character went through. It’s like you’re right in the middle of everything that’s going on and you can understand the character’s feelings better.
Student, Wyandanch Middle School

The response from the students who witnessed the production was unanimous in their praise for the quality of the theatrical experience and amazement that this story could come to life so powerfully in such an intimate setting. They truly felt a part of the experience and gained a greater understanding of the characters and the impact of literature on their lives. I hope this is a program that will continue for years to come and you can certainly count on our support and belief in its value to the students of the East End.
Debbie Mansir, East Hampton High School

It was an amazing theatrical experience for our students and they didn’t stop talking about the performance for days afterward. The work you do is inspiring and Pierson looks forward to future field trips to Bay Street.
Barbara Bekeimus, Pierson Middle & High School, Sag Harbor

The play was wonderful, actually I think it was probably one of the best performances I have seen.
Teacher, Pierson Middle School, Sag Harbor

Dear Bay Street, I thought the play was truly amazing. I thought the actors were spectacular.
Student, Bridgehampton Middle School

Excellent Overall!
Teacher, Upper Room Christian School, Dix Hills

I really enjoyed watching the program you put together of “The Diary of Anne Frank”. The actors were great, I really got the message and the feeling of the Holocaust because the play was very realistic and astonishing. What I liked the most in the play is that it was very realistic; it made me feel very connected to the actors and the play itself.
Student

Your performers and staff are to be commended, not only for their brilliant performance, but for their hospitality to our students as well. This was the first year I attended and was able to see how enjoyable it was to the students. Mr. Minutillo did an amazing job making The Great Gatsby come to life.

Sal Alaimo, Principal, Eastport-South Manor Jr.-Sr. High School