LIBERTY! EQUALITY! AND FIREWORKS!, YOUNG BEAR & More Set for Pollyanna Theatre Co.'s 2014-15 Season

Central Texas' most well-known children's theatre company, Pollyanna Theatre announces is 2014-15 season in strategic alliance with the Long Center for the Performing Arts.

Four productions are slated from October 2014 through July 2015, targeting various ages beginning with pre-school children. Shows take place in the Debra and Kevin Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center, 701 West Riverside Drive, Austin.

The company's first production LIBERTY! EQUALITY! AND FIREWORKS! was commissioned by Pollyanna to Austin playwright Gregory Perrin. It is a theatrical exploration of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's. Set in a history museum, the play's characters (a group of 4th grade students) experience key elements of this important part of our national history when iconic images from that period come to life and begin to move and speak. Pollyanna is partnering with the LBJ Library on the creation of educational and dramaturgical materials for this unique production.

Group rates for all weekday performances are based on the size of the group and the need for financial assistance. The average rate is $3 - $5 per seat. Tickets for weekend performances through The Long Center Box Office range from $8 - $11 and may be purchased online, www.thelongcenter.org or by calling (512) 474-LONG (5664).

For more information on Pollyanna Theatre Company or any of the productions below, visit www.pollyannatheatrecompany.org or call Pollyanna Founder and Artistic Director, Judy Matetzschk-Campbell (512) 465-9305.

LIBERTY! EQUALITY! AND FIREWORKS!

Pollyanna has commissioned a new play by Austin Playwright Gregory Perrin that is a theatrical exploration of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's. Set in a history museum, the play's characters (a group of 4th grade students) experience key elements of this important part of our national history when iconic images from that period come to life and begin to move and speak. Pollyanna is partnering with the LBJ Library on the creation of educational and dramaturgical materials for this production. Our organizations will cross promote visits to see the LBJ Library's Civil Rights Exhibit as well as this new production entitled LIBERTY! EQUALITY! AND FIREWORKS! This play is scheduled for production in the Rollins Studio Theatre October 10-19, 2014. Resources for parents and teachers that explore the issue surrounding the Civil Rights Movement and how to help children through this very difficult topic will be created in conjunction with the LBJ Library in an effort to facilitate constructive and empowering family conversations.

Best suited for students grades 3 - 6 and their families.
Public Performances - Tickets through www.thelongcenter.org
October 11 at 2:00 and 4:00
Oct. 12 at 2:00 followed by "Meet The Cast Party"
Oct. 18 at 2:00 and 4:00
Oct 19 at 2:00 followed by "Meet The Cast Party"
School Performances - Tickets through (512) 743-7966
Oct. 10, 13, 16, and 17 at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. (8 school performances)

YOUNG BEAR: THE STORY OF FRANCES SLOCUM by Lou Clark. This play is based upon the life of Frances Slocum, a young girl who is taken in the early 1800's to live among Native Americans in the Mid-Western U.S. The play follows her personal journey through two different cultures and looks at each through the eyes of a young child. Pollyanna is thrilled to be working with award-winning playwright Lou Clark again to bring her newest play for young audiences to life. YOUN BEAR is sure to have young audiences thinking deeply about the definitions of family and belonging. The story of YOUNG BEAR, while based in a true story, is designed to take children on an imaginative journey through a different time and place.

Best for students grades 2 - 5 and their families
Public Performances - Tickets through www.thelongcenter.org
January 24 at 2:00 and 4:00
January 25 at 2:00 followed by "Meet the Cast Party"
January 31 at 2:00 and 4:00
February 1 at 2:00 followed by "Meet the Cast Party"
School Performances - Tickets through (512) 743-7966
January 23, 26, 29, and 30 at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. (8 school performances)

THE BIG BOLT by Holly Hepp-Galvan. This production will be written and designed specifically to appeal to the developmental and educational needs of very young children ages 3 - 7. The play explores the concept of cause and effect as well as basic pre-math concepts through the story of a little boy named Jimmy. Jimmy discovers what can happen when a seemingly unimportant but very big bolt is taken out of its intended place.

Public Performances - Tickets through www.thelongcenter.org
May 9 at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.
May 10 at 2:00 followed by "Meet The Cast Party"
May 16 at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.
May 17 at 2:00 followed by "Meet The Cast Party"
School Performances - Tickets through (512) 743-7966
May 11, 14, and 16 at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. (6 performances)

SARAH THE DINOSAUR by Andrew Perry and Kathleen Fletcher. Perfect for Pollyanna's summer production, this play will be enjoyed by children as young as four and as old as four-hundred. The production is the story of a young girl named Sarah who is tired of no one listening to her. But when her pre-school teacher tells her that she can "become anything she puts her mind to", Sarah decides that the best way to get attention is to become a dinosaur and ROAR! Sarah soon learns that all attention is not positive when stomping and roaring turns the heads of everyone she encounters. Ultimately, Sarah finds her voice and the adults in her world learn to think twice before speaking.

Public Performances - Tickets through www.thelongcenter.org
July 11 at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.
July 12 at 2:00 p.m. followed by "Meet The Cast Party"
July 18 at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.
July 19 at 2:00 p.m. followed by "Meet The Cast Party"
Weekday Performances - Tickets through (512) 743-7966
July 13, 16, and 17 at 9:30 and 11:30
July 20 at 9:30 (7 weekday performances)