When students hear “The Outsiders,” many think of the book they read as part of their middle or high school curriculum. But the book isn’t just a piece of required reading; it has become a story that students fall in love with and carry with them long after they turn their final page.
Now, this story is coming to life onstage in “The Outsiders” musical at the Pantages Theatre, giving students the opportunity to experience a story they know and love through live theater.
From left, Jahzara Borbe and Marlee Jimnnez (Madeline Ng / L.A. Times High School Insider).
“I’ve been an ‘Outsiders’ fan since I read it in seventh grade. I even got the phone case and the wallpaper. I’ve been a fan for a long time, and seeing the musical will complete my collection of amazing memories,” UCLA Community School student Marlee Jimenez said.
As a popular book and movie among students, “The Outsiders” has made a lasting impact on students as it resonates with them through the many themes of friendship, family, identity and belonging.
“When I was reading the book for the first time, I was really interested. The themes of friendship, family and togetherness really resonated with me. That’s what got me into ‘The Outsiders,” UCLA Community School student Jahzara Borbe said.
But “The Outsiders” doesn’t just resonate with students today; it has also stayed with adults who first discovered the story when they were students themselves.
“I first read it in middle school. I’m a product of this high school, so I graduated from the school where I now teach. 25 years later, being able to take students to experience it live is amazing,” Cultural Arts Passport program coordinator Mario Juarez said.
Theater is often seen as expensive or inaccessible to students. Some schools offer programs that make arts experiences more accessible. At Downtown Magnets High School, these opportunities are shared through the district’s Cultural Arts Passport program.
“Each school creates a plan and schedules arts-related events, from musicals to concerts,” Juarez said. “Our goal is to expose students to as many opportunities as possible. The program is free and open to all students. I usually post an interest form to gauge interest, and we typically have 40 to 60 students attend each trip. For popular events, we may go twice and take different groups of students.”
Schools have made it a priority to take advantage of every opportunity available to students.
“Some schools don’t take advantage of this program, and the money can evaporate. This is our fourth year, and we pride ourselves on investing as much as we can. Last year, we went on 27 different trips. The goal is to get them excited about theatre,” Juarez said.
UCLA Community School in theatre attendance. (Madeline Ng / L.A. Times High School Insider).
For teachers, these trips offer a way to take learning beyond the classroom. Students have the opportunity to connect what they learned from the book to a live performance and continue learning through live theatre.
“A lot of students on this field trip have read the book. That was their entry point into wanting to see the musical. One of my students said, ‘I feel like my seventh grade self is inside so happy right now,’ because that’s when she first read the book. For many students, this is their first time seeing a theatre performance. Being able to see a story they know come to life onstage is really huge for them,” UCLA Community School science and theatre teacher Anna Cross said.
The goal of every field trip is simple: provide students with an educational experience through live theatre.
“One of my main goals is giving [students] the experience they wouldn’t typically be exposed to. A lot of our students are interested in theatre, production and the entertainment industry, so being able to experience live Broadway productions is really big,” Cross said.
Theater isn’t just a form of entertainment; it also gives students another way to engage with literature and the arts. It’s a place to learn, but also a place to explore.
“A lot of the shows at the Pantages are based on books, movies or well-known musicals. Theatre connects what students see and read in the classroom to seeing it onstage. It also exposes them to dance, music and the different opportunities in musical theater, both onstage and behind the scenes,” Juarez said.
Experiences like these can make the difference between watching theatre and imagining yourself as part of it. For some students, seeing their first live theatre performance can be the spark that paves the way for a future in performing.
“We’ve definitely had students get really excited after shows. After we saw ‘Wicked’ two years ago, they were singing all the songs and asking each other, ‘Are you an Elphaba or a Glinda?’ Once they see a performance like this, I think some of them can see themselves doing it in the future, and that’s really important,” Cross said.
Opening night of “The Outsiders”(Madeline Ng / L.A. Times High School Insider)
While many students first discover “The Outsiders” through school, some of the actors bringing the story to the stage also first encountered it in the classroom.
“I read ‘The Outsiders’ my freshman year of high school as part of our class curriculum. Just like Two-Bit, I wasn’t a big reader, but ‘The Outsiders’ was such a beautiful story that stuck with me. When it became a musical, I thought it was insane. Being able to portray Two-Bit and the Greasers, knowing so many audience members grew up with this story, is such a privilege. Representation is everything for us,” actor Jaydon Nget said.
Jordan DeAndre Williams, who played Ponyboy on opening night at the Pantages Theatre, says this story resonates strongly with young audiences.
“When you’re the age of the characters in the show, you sometimes feel like an outsider. The world is changing, and you have to make so many decisions while learning so quickly. I think students who come to see the show are going to walk away with a sense of belonging,” Williams said.
Theatre can be more than just a field trip away from the classroom. Stories like “The Outsiders” inspire students to explore the arts beyond the classroom. Theatre is a way to learn, a way to grow and a way to connect with the arts.
