Video: Pollyanna Theatre Company Funding Appeal

A charming, clever and very low pressure appeal by Pollyanna Theatre Company for support for their ingenious original theatre for children:

Pollyanna Theatre and Long Center Announce Alliance

Received today:

Pollyanna Theatre Company announces new Strategic Alliance with

the Long Center for the Performing Arts

 The ‘Good Neighbor Arts Education Project’ will reach Austin’s most at-risk kids

Central Texas’ most well-known children’s theatre company, Pollyanna Theatre, in strategic alliance with the Long Center for the Performing Arts, is excited to launch THE GOOD NEIGHBOR ARTS EDUCATION PROJECT; designed to enhance the general education of some of Central Austin’s most at-risk young people.

The new alliance, through shared services and coordinated outreach efforts, will establish sustained educational relationships with up to seven elementary schools within its first two years, all located within three miles of the Long Center with an at-risk population averaging over 70%. In the first year, immediate service areas include Baty, Dawson, and Becker Elementary Schools.

The program includes pre and post production activities for students and teachers as well as tickets to three productions slated for the 2012-2013 school year. Arts education outreach efforts will also be coordinated with Extend-A-Care for Kids. Pollyanna Theatre Company will provide professionally-trained drama teachers to develop and teach classes on all three campuses before each Pollyanna production.

Six-week classes thematically linked to upcoming Pollyanna productions will offer children a variety of opportunities for creative expression and mentoring. Then, as a group, students will travel to the Long Center’s Rollins Studio Theatre to experience professional theatre presentations written and designed with their developmental and educational needs in mind. Post-show follow-up visits to each school will further expand the learning begun in the theatre.

Currently, over 70,000 students travel each year to the Long Center for arts performances. However, many of these students have no sustained exposure to professional arts presentations or classes. “The Long Center and Pollyanna Theatre Company wish to provide sustained, life-changing arts experiences for young people through ongoing, repeated visits to the Long Center where children will consistently explore and make discoveries through theatre,” says Judy Matetzschk-Campbell, Ph.D, founder and Artistic Director of Pollyanna Theatre Company.

Although many local children pass the Center almost daily with their families, many have yet to realize that the Center and the arts, is there for them, to enrich their lives.

THE GOOD NEIGHBOR ARTS EDUCATION PROJECT is an effort to break down this invisible wall. Jamie Grant, Executive Director and CEO of the Long Center states, “We strive to ensure our youngest neighbors can fully experience the arts as audience members through regular visits to the theatre and moreover, can become artistic creators in their own right.”

The collaboration is a natural fit. Since the opening of the Long Center four years ago, Pollyanna has made the Long Center’s Rollins Studio Theatre its performance home. The two organizations’ shared desire to better serve young people through the arts became apparent, leading to a partnership to leverage resources to educate through the arts.

ABOUT POLLYANNA THEATRE COMPANY: The founders of Pollyanna Theatre Company believe that theatre is a powerful teaching tool that speaks to people of all ages in a unique and powerful way through a variety of visual, aural, and emotional languages. Therefore, theatre should be a part of all general education from Pre-Kindergarten through adulthood. Toward that end, The Pollyanna Theatre Company strives to work alongside educators to inspire, motivate, and teach audiences of all ages. Although the company’s primary focus is upon young audience members, the ensemble performs top quality theatrical productions that speak to and illuminate the human spirit and condition for all ages. www.PollyannaTheatreCompany.org

THE JOE R. AND TERESA LOZANO LONG CETER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (Long Center) is a world-class, sustainably built cultural centerpiece located along Lady Bird Lake with spectacular views of Austin’s downtown skyline. The Long Center is Austin’s iconic cultural hub and community gathering place, showcasing, inspiring and nurturing the best in professional creative expression. www.TheLongCenter.org.

Upcoming: Symphony of Clouds by Margaret Larlham, Polyanna Theatre at Ballet Austin, January 22 - 29

Received directly:

presents

Symphony of Clouds!

by Margaret Larlham

Directed by Judy Matetzschk-Campbell
Choreography by Sarah Rostoker, featuring Ballet Austin Trainees

Jan. 22, 28 & 29, 2012 ~ 2 pm & 4:30 pm

AustinVentures Studio Theatre, corner of 3rd St. and San Antonio (click for map)

Tickets $12 - For tickets visit Ballet Austin or call 512-476-2163; e-mail reservation request

Co-produced by Ballet Austin, Symphony of Clouds is a dance theater production for all elementary-aged students that introduces them to Mozart's childhood and the development of his musical gift. The production features our company of actors working with dancers and choreographer from Ballet Austin. Accompanying multi-disciplinary curricula and professional development available for the teachers of 3rd - 5th grade students.

Public shows for Symphony of Clouds are at Ballet Austin's AustinVentures Studio Theatre on the corner of 3rd and San Antonio

Upcoming: Here Comes Gosling, Polyanna Theatre Company at the Rollins Theatre, Long Center, May 19 - 22

Received directly:

Pollyanna Theatre Company

presents

HERE COMES GOSLING

A New Play for Young Audiences by Sandy Asher

Appropriate for children ages 4 and older

directed by Judy Matetzschk-Campbell

Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center for the Performing Arts

701 West Riverside Dr. (click for map)

May 19, 20, and 23 at 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.

May 21 at 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.

May 22 at 2:00 p.m.

Regular Tickets are $8.75 for Adults over 18, $7.75 for seniors (over age 60), Austin Circle of Theatre Members and students ages 12 to 18, $6.75 for children under the age of 12. Group Rates Available for Groups of 10 or more with prices ranging from $3.00 to $5.00.

For information and reservations: telephone 512/743-7966

Based upon the wonderful characters and story found in Sandy Asher’s book HERE COMES GOSLING, our play tells the story of Froggie, a loveable and outgoing frog who can not wait to meet the new gosling. But what happens when Baby Gosling finally arrives to visit and all she does is honk? Come see the fun when Froggie and all of his friends must learn to wait and also learn to deal with some difficulties when a new baby doesn’t behave as expected. Featuring some of Austin’s finest actors, the production is directed by Judy Matetzschk-Campbell.

Special Event: Join us after the 2:00 p.m. performance on Sunday, May 22 for a book signing picnic with author Sandy Asher and illustrator Keith Graves.

Pollyanna Theatre thanks The Long Center’s Catalyst 8 for their generous sponsorship through their BOOST Rental Subsidy Program.

Upcoming: The Tempest for Young Audiences, Polyanna Theatre at Dougherty Arts Center, August 7 - 11

Found at the Polyanna website:

The Tempest
by William Shakespeare
Adapted for young audiences by Judy Matetzschk-Campbell
August 7-11th
Presented at The Dougherty Arts Center

If you and your children enjoyed Pollyanna's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, you will not want to miss our young people's version of The Tempest. This 50-minute version of the classic tale of mistaken identities, shipwrecks, and deserted islands make a wonderful introduction to Shakespeare's language, characters, and stories.

Best for children ages 6-11.
Friday, August 7 at 9:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Saturday, August 8 at 11:00 and 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 9 at 2:00 p.m.
Monday, August 10 at 9:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Tuesday, August 11 at 9:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Theatre Tickets at $6.25 for children under 12, $7.25 for student age 12 and older, ACOT members and Seniors, and $8.25 for adults
GROUP RATES FOR SCHOOLS GROUPS ranging from $3.00-$5.00 are available depending on the total number of tickets reserved.
Financial Aid is available based on financial need. Call for Reservations and Information: 743-7966