Our Philosophy
We believe that storytelling can create sustained connections between communities.
About ETN
Founded in 2020 as an extracurricular club that offered students virtual interview opportunities with professional actors, our program has grown substantially in its scope and reach. We now design and facilitate curricular programming in 12+ schools, reaching over 700 students each year. We have additionally expanded to university classrooms and adult learning groups.
While our programming has taken new dimensions over the years, our WHY has remained the same. We believe that stories awaken us to experiences unlike our own, and if we harness those stories, we might come to understand each other. Using the power of narratives, our programming seeks to enhance creativity, conversations, and trust between communities.
How students and adults benefit from our programs:
We draw on our expertise in theater whether we’re teaching a lyrical poem or a historical essay. Research has shown that when students activate their learning physically, they strengthen their retention of the material and deepen their comprehension of the concepts. Embodied learning leads to discovery.
Our curricula enhance students’ understanding of the environments around notable plays, poems, and historical texts. Literature is entwined with history. By studying the author’s world around each text, students measurably expand their knowledge of the subject matter.
Our program encourages discussions across areas of difference through the study of poignant stories. Storytelling does not set out to convince us of anything but rather to open our eyes to interesting ideas, environments, cultures, and time periods. Through our exploratory method, students engage in expansive and meaningful conversations and learn about each other in the process.