Waterway Stage

Waterway Stage combines the power of the performance arts with the joy of scientific investigation to engage students and their communities in their local watersheds.

Classrooms from around Vermont collaborate with expert educators from Very Merry Theatre and ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain to research and perform original plays on a pressing water quality issue.

Benefits of Participation

  • Increased student interest in scientific and social issues facing their communities
  • Increased student ability to work creatively with others
  • 2 in-person Very Merry teaching artist sessions
  • 1 in-person ECHO educator session
  • Complimentary admission to ECHO

Classroom Commitment (10 – 20 hrs)

  • Researching a local watershed issue
  • Increased student ability to work creatively with others
  • 2 in-person Very Merry teaching artist sessions
  • 1 in-person ECHO educator session
  • Complimentary admission to ECHO

Program Timeline

December 1: End of program enrollment; January: New teacher orientation; February – March: ECHO, Very Merry outreach sessions; April: Play performances

How to Participate

Interested K – 12th grade classrooms should contact Nina Ridhibhinyo at nina@echovermont.org. Program spots are limited to 10 schools per year with priority given to returning schools and those with multiple participating classrooms.

Participant Resources
Teacher Program Handbook
Participant Permission Form
Very Merry Theatre Warm-up Games
Invasive Species Video Link

Useful Links
Audubon Vermont: Information about birds and avian conservation efforts in Vermont.
Lake Champlain Basin Program: Comprehensive resource for all things Lake Champlain, including specific materials for educators.
Lake Champlain Committee: Great science and policy resource, particularly for up-to-date Lake Champlain news.
Vermont Fish & Wildlife: State information about our endangered and threatened species.
Vermont Reptile & Amphibian Atlas: Detailed information about Vermont’s reptiles and amphibians.

Funding for this project came from a 2017 Local Heritage grant from the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.
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