The Riverside Ensemble is currently working closely with the University Theatre and Dance Department to shape the Academy Program and carve out a permanent teaching residency within it. Since its inception Riverside has been dedicated to providing educational opportunities for the Albuquerque Community. The Play Display, a young children's creative drama workshop, season consists of 2 ten week sessions of classes, performances, and parent conferences. Each session consists of ten Saturday morning classes which then culminate in a performance open to parents and the public. Taught by Ensemble member Juli Etheridge, The Play Display is a unique children's class dedicated to the development of collaborative, ensemble minded young artists in an effort to teach teamwork, unity, and trust in artistic exploration and creation.
Young artists reap the rewards of creation together in a fun, explosive, and exciting atmosphere.
The High School Workshop Series Riverside's work with local schools has taken great strides over the last five years in reaching more schools and students each year. Riverside Ensemble trainers Kerry Weddle and Joseph Pesce have succeeded in forming strong, on-going relationships with teachers and students alike and passing along a powerful, unique approach to creativity and ensemble work only found at Riverside. In the past this program has been supported by funding from such foundations as The Intel Corporation, Public Service Company of New Mexico, and the Lumpkin Foundation. The existence in Albuquerque, New Mexico of a living ensemble of artists dedicated to cultural exploration and the creation of productions toured nationally and internationally to critical acclaim has provided our city's youth with an example of the possibilities for their own future right here in their home state. Riverside's national and international theatre experiences have allowed the ensemble to bring home a broad scope of ideas and influences to the youth of New Mexico in an effort to awaken the young artists to their own abilities and potential on a world scale.