Compass Rose Theater is a professional theater rooted in the belief that theater education creates performance excellence. Compass Rose Theater is a non-profit professional teaching theater company. We believe that diversity and inclusion enrich our creativity and broaden our world. At our core is our devotion and unwavering commitment to producing plays of superb quality and richness, hiring accomplished professional artists as well as talented students for our productions. As the compass rose on a nautical map guides the mariner, Compass Rose Theater charts a course toward plays that not only entertain but offer a theater experience that lifts us up and transcends the ordinary, leaving us with a better understanding of the world and ourselves. We subscribe to the Actor's Equity Association's (AEA) stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion which states, "One day, every American theatre will be a safe, equitable, and inclusive workplace filled with arts practitioners who represent and reflect the wonderful diversity of the human tapestry, promoting the union values." AEA is the union for professional actors and stage managers and "Equity Rules" largely govern our approach to collaboration and our working conditions.
About this Organization
Compass Rose Theater, founded in 2011 by Lucinda Merry-Browne, is an award-winning small professional theater nonprofit organization with an educational mission. Compass Rose Theater offers theater classes, workshops, a Young Actors Studio, and several performances year-round. Performances are held at Maryland Hall in Annapolis, Maryland. Our teachers have a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in theater and work in the professional theater world, training students at schools, camps, events, and on-site at our theater in Maryland Hall. For information, contact office@compassrosetheater.org or call 410-980-6662. https://compassrosetheater.org/ "Live Theater can be a riveting, breathless, wild ride, or it can be a distant view from a broad stage in a large and spacious house. At Compass Rose, we prefer to do plays that are almost in your lap. Our 80-seat performance space keeps our audience close and our actors closer. There is no room for error in acting and in design. Our actors are career professionals, often paired with talented students on their way to a bright future in the theater. We provide working opportunities, even for the students. Education is at the core of our mission, for we believe that the future of live theater depends on young people who embrace and enjoy this art form. Acting training may not always produce a working actor, but it always engenders a love of theater and an appreciative audience member. Come experience a play, a musical, or a reading. We are here each and every day working to produce theater that not only engages but transcends the ordinary and leaves each audience member deeply affected or rousingly entertained. We invite you to experience this first hand." Lucinda Merry-Browne Founding Artistic DirectorServices/Opportunities
Compass Rose Theater offers public and private elementary schools after-school classes throughout the school year.
Our elementary school classes focus on fun ways for young actors to learn the team-building skills used in theater training. Classes are divided into levels based on the ages and grades of children. Classes include Fairytales Onstage, Welcome to Theater, Improvisation, and more. Some sessions conclude with sharing the student's work with parents and friends on the final day of class. Compass Rose Theater is an approved partner with Anne Arundel County Public Schools, and all of our Teaching Artists are fingerprinted and submit to background checks. Our teachers are accredited with a B.A. or Masters's Degree and have experience working in theater. Contact the Education Coordinator to bring Compass Rose classes to your school at education@compassrosetheater.org
Compass Rose Theater offers workshops to all public and private high schools in Anne Arundel County.
The workshops can be tailored toward what the students are currently studying in their English or Drama class, or designed to offer a different topic that is not covered in the curriculum. These workshops are arranged personally by the high school teacher and the Education Coordinator at Compass Rose Theater. Contact us anytime if you are interested in hosting a workshop at your school. Education@compassrosetheater.org. We also conduct classes on-site at Maryland Hall.
We Support Middle School Performing and Visual Arts
Compass Rose Theater has a partnership through Anne Arundel County Public Schools to teach after-school classes at Bates Middle School in Annapolis and Brooklyn Park Middle School in Glen Burnie, APEX Programs. They offer a special extended-day program one day a week for students enrolled in the program. The extended day program runs all year and also offers an introduction for upcoming students during Summer Bridge. Students can also sign up for scheduled field trips to see our shows throughout the season. Family members of PVA students receive student-priced tickets to all performances at Compass Rose Theater with a valid ID. Contact: education@compassrosetheater.org
Bring the classroom to the theater!
This is a high school field trip opportunity to see a performance and engage in a post-show discussion after the show. Students arrive at 10:00 AM for the performance (times may vary). After the show, students enjoy a pizza lunch and have a conversation with the actors from the production. We offer acclaimed productions, and many of our productions are chosen because they are taught in schools throughout the area. We believe that if students can see an actual production of a work they study on the page, that it enriches and supports their learning experience. This program is a great addition to High School Workshops. Contact the Education Coordinator at education@compassrosetheater.org
Core Dramatics is a course designed to introduce teachers to the ways in which creative dramatics can be used in the classroom to support the Common Core Curriculum.
During this course, teachers will learn to identify the academic skills and standards that are supported by dramatic activities. They will practice facilitating and participating in examples of the dramatic activities. Incorporating drama into classroom instruction engages students in creative expression, provides novel approaches to support learning, and encourages skills related to collaboration and self-presentation. This interactive series of professional development is designed to introduce teachers to several ways that drama can provide students with choices for authentic end products and can also become an integral component of learning. Compass Rose Theater continually works with educators of the Advanced Learners’ Program through Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Contact us to learn more and bring Core Dramatics Professional Development to your educational institution. Contact: education@compassrosetheater.org
Join Compass Rose Theater and discover new or develop your existing skills in the world of theater. Compass Rose offers a wide variety of classes for all age groups. To explore the list of classes that they offer, please visit the website mentioned below:
https://www.compassrosetheater.org/classes-camps
Booking
Booking Price: < $500
Fees vary depending on the number of students and length of program. Contact: education@compassrosetheater.org or call 410-980-6662.
Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, former Mayor Ellen Moyer, and Maryland Hall. More references upon request