DHF
LOGAN – The Dane G. Hansen Foundation is happy to announce a new partnership with the Creede Repertory Theatre, Creede, Colorado, to bring an original children’s theatre production to elementary schools in Northwest Kansas this fall.
The performances are underwritten by the Hansen Foundation and offered at no cost to the participating schools.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Seeds of Change is inspired by myth, fairy tale and Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The musical fosters environmental literacy through the story of an ornery young girl who leaves the isolated Isle of Oro where she grew up and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. This story explores topics in environmental science, deforestation, ocean plastic, and habitat loss.
- geared for students grades K-6
- a musical that empowers and motivates action
- emphasizes conservation, environment, science and math
- incorporates Shakespearean language
- encourages audience participation
- reinforces themes with a study guide and illustrated book
The production lasts about an hour and can be performed in a multi-purpose room, a theatre or gym. The actors will interact directly with the students throughout the show. It is a highly energetic hour of learning and entertainment.
Books and lyrics for Seeds of Change are by Loio Simon. Music is by Ian LeRoy. The production is directed by Melissa Firlit.
The tour will be scheduling performances from September 4 – November 2, 2018. For information on how to schedule a performance, schools can visit the Hansen Foundation website at www.danehansenfoundation.org; click on the NW Kansas Arts logo.
ABOUT CREEDE REPERTORY THEATRE’S YOUNG AUDIENCE TOUR
Celebrating 35 years of bringing excellent bilingual musical theatre to schools across the Southwest, Creede Repertory Theatre’s Young Audience Outreach Tour (YAOT) is one of the largest providers of educational theatre to the rural Southwest, serving over 24,000 children, and for the first time, will be available to schools in Northwest Kansas!
YAOT’s mission is to bring high quality musical theatre to young audiences in rural and underserved communities by annually producing an original children’s show to tour in elementary schools.
LITERACY MATTERS
Before the show arrives at a school, teachers will have access to a study guide to help introduce students to the themes Seeds of Change explores. After the performance, every student receives a free children’s book. These books reinforce the themes of the study guide and the performance. This important aspect of the tour ties directly to the Hansen Foundation’s efforts to promote reading in NW Kansas.
WHY THE HANSEN FOUNDATION IS OFFERING THIS
The Foundation has been working with communities in Northwest Kansas to identify programs, projects and initiatives that provide opportunities and improve the quality of life. The process, Strategic Doing, is being conducted in each of the 26 counties we serve. Through Strategic Doing, the Hansen Foundation has identified issues that have been self-identified in multiple counties. One such issue is a desire for increased arts and cultural opportunities.
Last year, representatives from the Hansen Foundation visited a rural community in Colorado and to see one of the school productions. The response from the students, the quality of the production, and the positive feedback from the community organizers were impressive. In addition, the long history of success with this touring program and the stability of Creed Repertory made the organization an excellent partner for our foundation and our schools.
Visit our website www.danehansenfoundation.org and click on Special Initiatives to learn more.