Living History is a dynamic, on-your-feet classroom experience, one that empowers and draws out even those students who are reluctant to participate in classroom activities. Developed from plays in our season and integrated into academic curriculums, INTIMAN’s flagship education initiative has, since its inception 23 years ago, reached more than 150,000 students. Today, it tours annually to schools across our state, from Seattle to rural communities in Eastern Washington.

Living History draws on theatre texts, performance and theatrical improvisation to engage young people in critical thinking and awaken the imagination. Through the prism of dramatic literature, historical movements and immediate ethical challenges, the program’s teaching artists—two teams of multi-ethnic/multi-racial professional actors—encourage students to respond and participate by looking deeply at big human questions. In recognition of its innovative approach to arts education, Living History has been honored with a Golden Apple Award from KCTS and a Kennedy Center Award for Excellence.

The program, which has been guided by INTIMAN Affiliate Artist Robin Lynn Smith for the past decade, offers several classroom ‘menu options’ that are selected, in advance of the school tour, by individual teachers. After performing scenes from plays, the actors work directly with the students in their classrooms, using techniques ranging from lively debate to analyzing the power of language; from having the students create monologues to giving them opportunities to interview and engage with historical characters. 

“I saw my students respond to the teaching artists and exercises in ways that opened their hearts and minds,” Maureen Foley-Benson, a Social Studies teacher at Omak High School, wrote after Living History visited her school in 2006. “This gave me renewed insight into these beautiful young people and what they are truly capable of learning and sharing in my classroom. Our community is isolated and we need caring, open programs that value our young people by offering them nourishment for their minds. Living History offered us this nourishment, and helped fan the spark [for students] to value their own history and the diversity of the world beyond Omak.”

INTIMAN is grateful to the major funders of Living History: WaMu; The William Randolph Hearst Foundations; The Boeing Company; PONCHO; Longbrake Family Foundation; City of Seattle, Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs; 4Culture; Washington State Arts Commission; ArtsFund; Piper Jaffray; Wells Fargo; Norman Archibald Charitable Foundation; Tim Kerr & Cynthia Wells/UBS Investment Bank; ArtsFund/Wells Fargo Cultural Educational Enhancement Fund.