America's Oldest · Founded 1808

Education Report

2022-2023 School Year 

Adopt-A-School Program

Four Philadelphia schools participated in our Adopt-A-School Program, reaching 2,378 students at underserved schools, making this the most schools and students adopted in program history!

Touring Outreach Program

40 school districts, 88 schools and 178 in-person performances reached 28,600 students through two different touring outreach productions from January to May 2023. 100 of these performances were offered at no cost to the schools, thanks to generous partners, to help increase the accessibility of live theatre.

Theatre School and Camp Walnut 

During the year, 943 students of all ages attended classes and workshops through the WST Theatre School. Camp Walnut had over 100 students participate, with 8 live performances held for friends and family. 

Residencies

26 WST teaching artists served 17 schools, camps and after school programs, reaching 1,619 total students.

WST for Kids Series

Disney's Frozen, Jr. was a sell out, bringing 8,832 children and families to the theatre - including a very special performance for students in the Adopt-A-School and Disney Musicals in Schools (DMIS) programs during the school day.

Disney Musicals in Schools (DMIS)

WST Educational Staff served two schools, in grades 3-5, to help establish their own theatre programming; 180 students made their Walnut Mainstage debut in our DMIS student share for friends and family.

Scholarships

16 scholarships for deserving students with financial barriers were awarded to the Theatre School and Camp Walnut for students in the Adopt-A-School and DMIS programs, helping students continue to explore their passion for the arts.

Testimonials for the Walnut's Education Programs!

Camp

I want to tell you that this summer has been by far the best camp experience he has ever had. From day one this summer he has come home happy, told me how nice everyone is. When he came home with the Camper of the Day sticker, he was over the moon. So besides all of the incredible theater he is learning, writing and acting in an original show, whatever you and the staff do to make the kids feel that they can be themselves and treat everyone with kindness, it's working.
—Parent
My girls truly loved being at camp Walnut and Laila now has a newfound interest in theatre. We especially support the strict anti-bullying policy at camp. We greatly appreciate all the staff and the effort they put into camp this summer. We are looking forward to attending future shows and becoming members of the Walnut Theatre. Have a wonderful summer.
—Parent

Outreach

This show is so important, most of the messages in this show our students are not comfortable sharing with their parents or teachers and I hope that after seeing this they know that they can. You all did amazing and it was a wonderful show with a message that in a world that is suffering truly needs impact from.
—Teacher

Residency

I appreciate your attention to detail, thoughtful creation of a valuable program for our team and the time and effort that went into this preparation.
—Charles W. Lentz, Assistant Director of Curriculum · Abington School District