Totem Pole Playhouse Receives Grant to Help Adams County Students Attend A CHRISTMAS CAROL Matinees
Totem Pole Playhouse, Pennsylvania's premiere summer theatre, in association with Gettysburg Community Theatre, will be able to welcome 1,200 Adams County students to attend, free of charge, matinee presentations of 'A Christmas Carol,' thanks to a generous $12,000 grant from the Adams County Community Foundation. Totem Pole Playhouse is underwriting the remaining cost of Adams County student attendance.
The Playhouse was one of 30 local organizations to receive funding through the Foundation's "Big Give" in July of 2016. The Foundation recognized that exposure to the performing arts is crucial for local school students. The grant eliminates a financial burden on schools and teachers who wish to share this classic holiday tale adapted from Charles Dickens' original text with their students.
"As funding continues to decrease for the performing arts in schools, it is crucial that live theater remain accessible to students of all ages," said Totem Pole Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Rowan Joseph, who thanked the Adams County Community Foundation and the distribution committee for recognizing for the second year in a row the importance of assisting local students to see the show. A grant from the Foundation in 2015 enabled 1,100 Adams County students to attend last year's production.
Established in 2007, the purpose of the Adams County Community Foundation is to "inspire people and communities to build and distribute charitable funds for Good, for Adams County, for Ever." "Totem Pole is actively searching for businesses and other community organizations to help underwrite the costs for school children. Our ultimate goal is to have ticket costs for school groups fully funded," said Joseph.
Cory Spence, Behavior Intervention Teacher from Bendersville Elementary sent an email to Totem Pole to "extend a sincere thank you for the opportunity to see such a wonderful play." In total, 84 students from Bendersville Elementary alone were able to attend free of charge.
Three student matinee performances of A Christmas Carol are being offered this year on December 9, December 14 and December 16. These morning performances are open to student groups only, in order to allow the students to freely enjoy the play with their peers from across Southcentral Pennsylvania. A question and answer session is offered after the show with selected cast and crew members for those schools that wish to participate. Study guides are also available for use by participating teachers.
School matinees are now fully booked for 2016. However, tickets for the general public and non-school groups are available by calling the Majestic Theater Box Office at 717-337-8200 or online at www.gettysburgmajestic.org.
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