What's Happening -- Pollyanna Theatre's Liberty! Equality! and Fireworks!
I have loved, Loved, LOVED Pollyanna Theatre for some time now and I am so excited by their season opener -- Liberty! Equality! and Fireworks! -- commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. Pollyanna Theatre, resident theatre company of the Long Center, has partnered with the LBJ Library on this special production. While Pollyanna has mostly produced shows for early elementary, this show is targeted at upper elementary as a theatrical exploration of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.
Liberty! Equality! And Fireworks! is an original play by award-winning playwright Gregory Perrin; commissioned by Pollyanna Theatre specifically for the young people of Austin. Perrin is passionate about the project. “History is important, but many of our children feel that it is boring because it has nothing to do with them. My goal is that the children seeing this play will leave with questions about what they have seen, which hopefully will lead to conversations with parents, grandparents, teachers and friends. These conversations – some may be difficult or unpleasant – need to happen.”
I am really excited by this project!
Bringing history to life is a valuable contribution of children's theatre and I love that Pollyanna is a part of it. The partnership with the LBJ Library’s Education Department provide educational resources which will be available online and in print for all adults who attend the production, to accompany the play. I love that the play is seen as a conversation starter and just the beginning of the education.The play takes place in a history museum where a group of 4th grade students experience key moments of the Movement coming to life. Judy Matetzschk-Campbell, Founder and Artistic Director of Pollyanna Theatre Company feels strongly about commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. “This was a critical turning point in our nation’s history. It is so important for children of all races, to understand the movement, especially in light of what’s happening in today’s world. There is still much work to be done.” I couldn't agree more.
Check it out!
Liberty! Equality! And Fireworks! runs October 11-19 at the Rollins Studio Theatre at The Long Center for the Performing Arts.For specific times and ticket prices, visit www.pollyannatheatrecompany.org.