EVCT’s Outreach Programs
Literature Alive at EVCT
East Valley Children’s Theatre is very excited about its newest program – Literature Alive. Partnering with The Employee’s Community Fund of Boeing – Mesa, EVCT will be promoting literacy though this innovative program. A troupe of kids age 8-15 will go into the elementary school to read classic children’s stories. Following the reading of the books, the troupe will present a short play based on the story just read. The next part of the program will be to have some of the kids in the audience come to the stage to act out the story as it is read. Before the kids leave to back to their classroom, EVCT will present each of the children with their very own copy of the book that was just read.
This year long program begins in January 2011 with the troupe practicing reading to kids and rehearsing their play, Puss in Boots. In February the troupe will travel to Kerr Elementary School, Redbird Elementary School and the Mesa Arts Academy to perform for kindergarten, first and second graders and send them home with books. Target Schools will include Title One Schools, schools with low income families or schools with special needs populations. The books selected will be the same as the productions at East Valley Children’s Theatre during the year.
The program will continue in April again in August and October. EVCT is looking for home schooled kids to be a part of the program or youth with flexible school schedules. The Theatre is also looking for participating schools that would like to participate in this wonderful program to promote literacy and encourage children to read. For further information contact Karen at East Valley Children’s Theatre at 480-756-3828 or Karen@evct.org.
East Valley Children’s Theatre will be participating in the Arizona Centennial with an official 2012 Legacy Project – “The Desert Smells like Rain”. This play has been written for EVCT by C. Lynn Johnson based on the extraordinary lives of three young people in Arizona who lived in the late 1800’s.
The play will be produced at the Mesa Arts Center March 5-9, 2012 as a part of the Arizona Centennial Celebrations in the state. School age children from around the Valley will be able to come to see the play free of charge. EVCT will also provide an educational packet about the show and the people portrayed in it, all free of charge. In addition, if transportation is not attainable, schools may request a copy of the play and educational packet for use and production at their school.
East Valley Children’s Theatre is very excited about this project and will have a special performance on March 9th at 7PM for all those individuals who have been instrumental in the creation and producing of this project.
Bringing Smiles to Children at EVCT
There is nothing more rewarding than Bringing Smiles to Children. Watching their faces light up, hearing their laughter and knowing that you have brought some sunshine into a young life. EVCT’s Bringing Smiles to Children program does just that by providing kids the opportunity to see live professional quality theatrical productions by children, and transporting the audience to a magical world of make believe. EVCT serves a diverse population of kids in its Bringing Smiles to Children program, with free and discounted tickets.
The program is available to kids who would not otherwise be able to attend a live theatrical production. Past participants in the program include Sunshine Acres Children’s Home, Learning Tree program for English as a second language at Mesa Public Schools, Children’s First Academy (a school for homeless children) and Save the Family.
In addition to bringing kids into the theatre to see our shows, EVCT takes each of its main stage productions to Cardon Children’s Medical Center to perform for the seriously ill child patients and children in the hospital’s many outreach programs. The nurses, hospital staff and the parents of the kids who attend are always so very thankful that the kids have the opportunity for a diversion from the routine of their hospital stay, transporting them to the magical world of theatre. One mother said following our performance, “This is the first time my son has really smiled in the six weeks he has been in the hospital”. Another child was overheard saying to his mother after the show, “Mom, I love this place.” Not only do the kids who attend the EVCT show benefit from the productions and the experience, so do the young performers who act in the productions. Seeing the smiles and reaction from the kids who attend no matter their background and situation is a great inspiration for the young actors. The service that EVCT provides, in bringing quality theatre to children of all walks of life and putting smiles on their faces, is invaluable in our society today.
Bringing Smiles to Children is in its third year of operation. EVCT wants to continue making a difference in the lives of children from all walks of life. Additional information about the program is available by calling the EVCT office at 480-756-3828 or send emails to info@evct.org.
EVCT Partners with MCC Service Learning Department
East Valley Children’s Theatre is now an official partner with Mesa Community College and its Service Learning Department, where students can participate to earn course credit for community service, network, help others and work to make your community a better place.
Go to www.mesacc.edu/academics/servicelearning/steps/step-1.html
Students at MCC can volunteer at East Valley Children’s Theatre and receive service learning credit through the college. Detailed information is available at the service learning center on the campus of Mesa Community College and at the MCC website (see web details above). You can also contact Dawn Rhodes, drhodes@mesacc.edu for additional information about the project at MCC.
For information about what kind of volunteering opportunities are available at EVCT, contact Karen Rolston at 480-756-3828 or Karen@evct.org.