About Westfield Theatre
Since it's inception in 2000, the Theatre Department has consistently remained an important and vital fine arts force at Westfield High School. We invite students to work collaboratively, develop critical thinking and public speaking skills, and engage in creative dialogues. Our Theatre Arts and Technical Theatre classes are taught with the intention of providing enrichment for students interested in these skills all of which encompass dramatic arts. Numerous students have gone on to pursue advanced studies in theater/cinema, technical theater, and stage management.
Mission Statement:
Westfield Theatre seeks to create a student-centered environment where theatre is made with, for, and by youth who are supported by professional adult mentorship. Westfield is committed to technologically innovative productions that highlight bold and untold stories. Our mission is to experiment with many different styles of Theatre as we promote a diverse student body where everyone of all identities is respected and welcome.
Enza Giannone-Hosig is a theatre artist, scholar, and arts educator with over twenty-five years of experiences in arts and education. Enza grew up in CT where she was bit by the theatre bug after being cast in her first lead role in the eighth-grade play. This experience developed a newfound self-confidence, sense of accomplishment, and passion that continues to fuel her commitment to enriching people’s lives through the arts.
In addition to performing, Enza has worked nationally as a drama educator and stage director for various public and private schools. She has also been employed as a master teaching artist for theatre companies throughout the US such as Childsplay, Inc., Phoenix Theatre, Hartford Stage, Oddfellow’s Playhouse, Long Warf Theatre, and most recently for Shakespeare Theatre Company and Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning. Enza specializes in devising socially conscious plays with and by youth, integrating drama and theatre across the curriculum, directing youth theatre plays and musicals, and improvising with youth. She also enjoys playwriting and often adapts folk tales and children's literature for youth to perform.
Enza has presented her practice and research internationally. Her scholarship and work with youth have been recognized with the Outstanding Dissertation award by the American Educational Research Association and the prestigious Winifred Ward Scholar Award by the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, "for giving meaning to the lives of children through the drama of theatre and themselves." Enza is also the mother of her best playmates and scene partners, Giancarlo (9 and Stella Maria (5).
Enza is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and Playwright's Horizons Theatre School. She received her MA in Educational Theatre from NYU's Steinhardt School and her PhD in Theatre (Theatre for Youth) from ASU. Enza is a member of American Educational Research Association, Virginia Theatre Association, and Educational Theatre Association.