Imagination Stage to Present MOUSE ON THE MOVE, 6/28-8/10

Beginning June 28, Imagination Stage welcomes back its popular show for the very young, Mouse on the Move. Described as "ridiculously adorable" by Our Kids, this production had its world premiere in January 2012 at Imagination Stage, making it the theatre's 35th commissioned new work for children at that time. Now, in its 35th season, Imagination Stage is thrilled to remount this interactive play.

Mouse on the Move runs in Imagination Stage's Christopher and Dana Reeve Studio Theatre June 28-August 10, 2014 at 10:00 and 11:15 a.m. and runs approximately 45 minutes. Appropriate for ages 1-5, tickets are $10-$12, with a $5 lap seat for children under 12 months. Tickets may be purchased online at www.imaginationstage.org, at the Imagination Stage box office, or via phone at301-280-1660. Group rates are available.

In the play, Nellie and Amelia are two adventurous mice ready to explore the world beyond their little mouse-hole. They decide to go to the moon, since it is cat-free and made entirely of delicious, mouth-watering cheese, or so they've heard. Like many of Imagination Stage's shows for this age group, the performance will be a multi-sensory experience. Children are given a small suitcase of props with which they help the actors tell the story.

Co-developed and directed by Artistic Director Janet Stanford and Associate Artistic Director Kathryn Chase Bryer, Mouse on the Move builds on their successful 2009 collaboration, Wake Up, Brother Bear!.

"Janet and I chose the theme of transportation because we know that cars, trucks, boats, trains, and airplanes are fascinating to children this age, and transportation is a great curriculum tie-in for the nursery schools," Bryer explains. "In addition, we will be exploring the nature of the shy child in this story. Amelia, who is very bold, helps her sister Nellie overcome shyness and fear in order to achieve her dreams. We're so excited to share this show again with our littlest patrons-both current and new!"

There is also a Mouse on the Move book now available in Just Imagine! The Shop at Imagination Stage. The book is on sale for $6.99 and follows the story of the production. It was written by Julia Krebs Patterson, Early Childhood Program Manager at Imagination Stage, and illustrated by local artist, Scott Brooks. Brooks, in addition to illustrations, exhibits his paintings in galleries around the world.

Jenny Donovan will play the role of Amelia. After graduation from Catholic University with a BA in Drama, Jenny went on tour with The National Players for a year. Most recently she has performed with Rorschach Theatre in A MAZE. Jenny has also performed locally at the Source Festival, Ambassador Theatre, and Olney Theatre Center. The role of Nellie will be played byAyanna Hardy, who was most recently seen at Imagination Stage as the Sour Kangaroo in Seussical. Ayanna has performed at many local theaters, including Adventure Theatre MTC, Signature Theatre, and Theatre Alliance. She has also performed internationally with Singapore Repertory Theatre.

Nick Vargas (Director) is the Artistic and Casting Coordinator at Imagination Stage, and serves as the director for all Early Childhood remounts. He returns to Mouse on the Move, where he originally served as deck captain two years ago. Nick will also serve as the Assistant Director for the upcoming world premiere of Inside Out at Imagination Stage, taking place February 27through April 6.

Kathryn Chase Bryer (Director for Early Childhood Theatre and Education) has directed more than 30 shows in the last 22 years at Imagination Stage, most recently Lyle the Crocodile. She served as a Directing Mentor for the 2013 Source Theatre Festival and recently finished directing Scapin for Constellation Theatre Company in January 2014.

Public performances of Mouse on the Move will take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00 and 11:15 a.m. with selected Saturday performances at 1:30 p.m. (August 2 and 9). Imagination Stage is located at 4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD.

My First Imagination Stage focuses on ages 1-5, recognizing "play" is the "work" of this early childhood. Through live performances, workshops, and classes, My First Imagination Stage creates fun and developmentally exciting experiences for the very young and their caregivers. A national leader in Theatre for the Very Young, Imagination Stage began focusing on the youngest of theatergoers in 2010 with the world-premiere of Wake Up, Brother Bear!. To date, My First Imagination Stage has produced two North American premieres, including From Here to There; welcomed guest artists from Italy, Great Britain, Belgium, and Germany; and developed three acclaimed world premiere productions (Wake Up, Brother Bear!, Mouse on the Move, and Inside Out, a collaboration with UK's Tell Tale Hearts). Like its audiences, this program plans to keep growing!

In addition to performances and classes, Early Childhood programming at Imagination Stage includes Saturday Song Circles andSunday Fun-Days. These single session workshops engage children and parents in multi-sensory play. Visit www.imaginationstage.org for more information on dates and times.

Founded in 1979, Imagination Stage is a 501(c)(3) organization that's mission is to inspire creativity through theatre and arts education programs that nurture, challenge, and empower young people of all abilities. It offers year-round professional theatre for young audiences and classes in creative drama/acting, musical theatre, dance, and filmmaking for ages 1-18.

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