Summer Reads! Children Read to Earn Ticket to PETER AND THE STARCATCHER

Peninsula Players Theatre, America's oldest professional resident summer theater, is thrilled to announce a youth reading partnership with the Door County Library in conjunction with its production of the hilarious and swashbuckling play, "Peter and the Starcatcher" by Rick Elice based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for both of our organizations to highlight a really great book that was turned into a wonderful play," said Door County Youth Services Librarian, Beth Lokken. "Check out the book at the Library and get started today!"

The Door County Library and Peninsula Players Theatre have collaborated in the past via Door County Reads, an offshoot of the Library and Players partnership with the National Endowment of the Arts' (NEA) The Big Read.

"Peninsula Players is thrilled to once again partner with the Door County Library, this time to encourage and reward youth for reading," said Peninsula Players Managing Director, BrIan Kelsey.

In 2016, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) reported the results of its 34th annual literary survey. The results reported in The Washington Post showed American adults who read literature - any novels, short stories, poetry or plays - fell to a three-decade low.

"People may be reading Facebook posts or other articles on the internet or e-readers, but when people don't read novels, short stories, plays or other forms of literature they miss out on a distinctive experience," Kelsey said.

A 2014 study by the Arts Education Partnership focused on the relationship between theater arts and student literacy and mathematical achievement. Results show students whose language arts curricula were infused with theater arts often outperformed their control group counterparts.

"Studies such as these reflect that readers of literature improve their skills in other academic areas and are able to see things from other people's point of view," Kelsey said. "Peninsula Players' mission to is to inform our audiences and we are enthusiastic to participate with the Library in the educational growth of Door County's youth, which in turn enhances everyone's lives in Door County."

Children 14 and younger who read or listen to the novel "Peter and the Starcatchers" and complete one of the questions on the Door County Library's program form will receive a coupon for a half-price ticket. Enthusiastic readers who read all five books of the "Peter and the Starcatchers" series earn a free admission to the Peninsula Players production of "Peter and the Starcatcher."

The five-book series includes "Peter and the Starcatchers," "Peter and the Shadow Thieves," "Peter and the Secret of Rundoon," "Peter and the Sword of Mercy" and "The Bridge to Never Land." Books may be read in paper, downloaded or listened to on audio.

Participants must submit a completed questionnaire to their favorite Door County Library Branch for the coupons to the Peninsula Players performances of "Peter and the Starcatcher." For more information on the Door County Library Summer Reading Program please call Beth at (920) 746-7119 or visit DoorCountyLibrary.org/summer_peter.

For more information on the Peninsula Players production of "Peter and the Starcatcher,"on stage July 5 through July 23, call the Box Office at (920) 868-3287 or visit www.peninsulaplayers.com.

Need more Appleton, WI Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...