Students Experience Edgar Allan Poe Plays in Mesa
ACT ONE and Southwest Shakespeare Company hosted a live stage performance for nearly 200 local students.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Children’s Theater
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Nearly 200 Arizona students from fifth grade through high school visited the Mesa Arts Center to watch a live performance of Edgar Allan Poe's works. The event, hosted by ACT ONE and the Southwest Shakespeare Company, aimed to bring classic literature to life for children from schools receiving federal funding.
Why it matters
Field trips are designed to broaden student exposure to the arts, which research links to improved academic performance. By providing access to professional theater, organizers aim to bridge the gap for students in federally funded school programs.
A University of Arkansas study suggests that students who participate in three arts-related field trips each year demonstrate stronger academic success. Nearly 200 students attended this specific performance, representing a cross-section of grade levels from fifth to twelfth.
The players
ACT ONE
This organization facilitates arts-based field trips to provide educational exposure to students who attend federally funded schools.
Southwest Shakespeare Company
Based in the Phoenix area, this professional theater group specializes in classical literature and Shakespearean stage productions.
Mesa Arts Center
Located in Mesa, this facility serves as a major hub for performing and visual arts within the local community.
The details
Actors presented both the life history and the literary works of Edgar Allan Poe, giving students a comprehensive look at the author's contributions to literature. ACT ONE coordinated the logistics of these field trips to ensure students from federally funded institutions could attend the live production.
Timeline
October 14, 2026: Students attended the performance on a Wednesday.
Industry Dynamics
This performance follows the pattern set by the University of Arkansas arts education academic success study. It highlights the ongoing efforts of regional arts organizations to address educational gaps through professional, live theater exposure.
Students from federally funded schools were able to access professional theater that might otherwise be unavailable due to cost or distance. Educators and parents can monitor upcoming schedules to see if similar field trip opportunities align with their school curriculum.
The takeaway
Engaging with literary classics through live theater can provide students with a deeper understanding of historical figures and their work. Schools can leverage partnerships with local arts organizations to maximize these enrichment opportunities for their students throughout the year.
Further reading
Learn more about local educational stage programs in the Mesa Children’s Theater section.
More information
View the current Southwest Shakespeare Company performance schedule for upcoming events.
Source note: This article includes information reported by abc15 Arizona.
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