(ITHACA) The Ithaca City School District eighth graders are headed to Cornell
University’s Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts for a special matinee
performance of Romeo and Juliet. The famous Shakespeare play is studied as
part of the eighth grade curriculum and students will have an opportunity to see
it live during the school day due to a theater pilot project at the Department
of Theatre, Film and Dance.

On December 4, 400 eighth graders from Lehman Alternative Community School,
Boynton Middle School, Dewitt Middle School, and Groton Middle School will head
to Cornell University to see the play.

The students will also be able to view the work of Ithaca High School students
from the Urban Art Club. The Schwartz Center involved students in the Romeo and
Juliet set design. The unique set of Romeo and Juliet is a towering urban
sprawl complete with graffitied walls (courtesy of the Ithaca High School Urban
Art Club, Cornell students, and GIAC leader Jay Stooks) designed by resident
scenic designer Kent Goetz. Also designing for this show are: Warren Cross
(sound), E.D. Intemann (lights), and Sarah E. Bernstein (costumes). IPEI, GIAC
and Ithaca High School have provided support to the Urban Art Club.