American Tapestry: Immigrant Children of the Bread and Roses Strike

Theatre Espresso's Newest Drama!

Will Counts Collection, Indiana University Archives.

Beginning in October 2010, Theatre Espresso will begin presenting its newest drama-- American Tapestry: Immigrant Children of the Bread and Roses Strike at the Lawrence Heritage State Park Visitors Center in Lawrence, Massachusetts and at the John Adams Courthouse in Boston in a grant-funded program for Boston Public Schools. What role did women and children play in the textile industry at the start of the twentieth century?  What were the effects of low wages, long workdays, and hazardous living and working environments on immigrant families? The drama encourages student audiences to wrestle with these questions in role as members of the Congressional Committee investigating conditions in Lawrence in 1912. In addition to performances at Lawrence Heritage State Park Visitors Center and the John Adams Courthouse in Boston, the play will tour to schools throughout Massachusetts! Learn more...

Nine Who Dared:
  3rd Year on Theatre Espresso's roster!

Next fall Nine Who Dared will begin its 3rd year on Theatre Espresso's roster and 3rd year in residence at the John Adams Courthouse in Boston--a grant-funded program for Boston Public Schools! Since the fall of 2008, Nine Who Dared has quickly become the most popular of Theatre Espresso's dramas touring to schools--having been seen by over 4,800 students around Massachusetts. Learn more...

Theatre Espresso uses Theatre in Education to teach young people to think critically. We believe that student participation is the key to intellectual engagement with history, issues of human rights, and the concept of justice. Our historical dramas empower students to explore the parallels between historical events and contemporary issues. By putting students in role as Supreme Court Justices, state senators, or members of a jury, our actors invite them to reflect on and debate the issues raised by our plays. We are committed to the idea that educational theatre provides an ideal learning medium for promoting civic engagement. Learn more...