HAMILTON's Education Program Debuts at Kennedy Center

The innovative educational program that launched at Hamiltonon Broadway will make its debut in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, September 12 when more than 2,150 students and teachers from D.C. metro-area schools attend the matinee performance of the musical at the Kennedy Center.

The September 12 performance is the first of two all-student matinee performances at the Kennedy Center that will provide more than 4,300 local high school students from underserved communities the opportunity to experience the musical Hamiltonafter having spent several weeks in their classrooms studying American history through a special integrated curriculum about Alexander Hamilton and the nation's Founding Fathers. The second all-student matinee performance will take place onThursday, September 13.

Lin-Manuel Miranda says, "D.C. metro-area kids participating in the Hamilton Education Program will get to be 'in the room where it happens.' I can't wait to hear the stories these students will tell when they dive into the birth of our nation."

For more information or to apply to participate in the Hamilton Education Program, please visit gilderlehrman.org/hamilton.

In addition to seeing a performance of Hamilton, students representing various schools in attendance will perform original works they created based on their classroom studies-songs, rap, poetry, scenes, and monologues-on the Kennedy Center stage in front of their peers. Students will also participate in a Q&A withHamilton cast members.

The Hamilton Education Program (HEP) is one of several history education programs offered by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Its president, James G. Basker-who devised the education program in tandem with Hamiltoncreator and producer, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeffrey Seller respectively, and The Rockefeller Foundation-adds, "This project is transformative. Hamilton has struck a chord with our nation's students because it embodies what great history education is all about: bringing the past to life and fostering connections with the exceptional individuals and moments that have made us who we are. This program empowers students to reclaim their own narrative and teachers to bridge classroom learning with the stage."

Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller says about the Washington, D.C. program, "Our goal is to ensure students have a shot to see Hamilton and use its words, music and staging to further their understanding and enjoyment of American history, music, and drama. We've had the pleasure of expanding the education program outside of New York in Los Angeles, Chicago, and multiple cities around the country."

The Rockefeller Foundation provided an initial grant of $1.46 million that funded the educational partnership in New York City. After the resounding success of the partnership, the Foundation committed an additional $6 million to the effort to support the program's national expansion.

The Hamilton producers are making tickets for this educational partnership available thanks to funding from Google.org, Sophia Lynn, and David Frederick. Google, and their philanthropic arm Google.org, have also provided funding in other cities across the country including San Francisco, Seattle, and Denver.

Hamilton is the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation's first Treasury Secretary. Featuring a score that blends Hip Hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway,Hamilton is the story of America then, as told by America now.

With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, Hamilton is based on Ron Chernow's biography of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.

The Hamilton creative team previously collaborated on the 2008 Tony Award®­-winning Best Musical In the Heights.

Hamilton features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, and casting by Telsey + Company, Bethany Knox, CSA.

The musical is produced by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman, and The Public Theater.

The Hamilton Original Broadway Cast Recording is available everywhere nationwide. The Hamilton recording received a 2016 Grammy® for Best Musical Theatre Album.

For information on Hamilton, visit www.HamiltonMusical.com