2009 - 2010 Class Acts Performances

The Wrights of Passage
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
10:00 AM 4th Grade Students
1:00 PM 8th Grade Students

Originally commissioned by the North Carolina Association of Educators, this family drama celebrates the first one hundred years of flight. Speaking the Wrights' own words and dressed in period costumes, professional actors portray the brothers with enthusiasm and vigor. Wilbur and Orville Wright construct an abstract replica of the famous flyer while revealing their biographies and re-living the poetry of their influences, discoveries, failures, achievements and successes.

The Wrights of Passage is a story of the passion and focus of two brothers who wanted to prove it was possible for man to fly. The brothers made the first powered flights in 1903, in a machine of the Wrights' own invention and construction. The Wrights' discoveries provided the foundation and technology still used today in modern aviation and space exploration. 2003, was the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers first powered flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

**Audience members participate in The Wrights of Passage. 16 audience members will be selected to participate as readers during the show. The readers are given cards that include milestones and landmark achievements in the history of flight. Readers must be comfortable reading and speaking in front of the audience and should be eight years old or above. Readers must come to the performance area 15 minutes prior to the performance for preparation. When readers are used, the venue should provide a stand, microphone and amplifier for the readers.

"The standing ovation The Wrights of Passage received from the 1200 delegates at our state convention was well deserved! You entertain and educate. Bravo!" says Howard Fox of the NC Association of Educators.

Curriculum Connections: Social Studies, Arts, Language and Character
Produced by: EbZb Productions
Performance Length: 50 Minues with 10 minute Q&A
Suggested Grade Levels: (Grade 4 to 8)
Study Guide: YES

www.ebzb.org

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Doktor Kaboom
Thursday, April 15, 2010
10:00 AM 3rd Grade Students
1:00 PM 5th Grade Students

Doktor Kaboom! is an interactive one-man Science variety showsuitable for all elementary and middle school audiences.

Creatively blending theatre arts with the wonders of scientific exploration, Doktor Kaboom keeps his audience riveted with interest and rolling with laughter whilst exploring scientific content that ties directly into mandated curriculum standards. Join him for a sidesplitting journey of increasingly spectacular, and often successful, experiments and demonstrations. Using masterful improvisational skills, the artist takes his audience on a sidesplitting tour of the modern scientific method while demonstrating spectacular applications of the physical sciences.

Doktor Kaboom is the creation of Actor / Comedian David Epley. David has been fortunate enough to discover two passions in his life. His first, science, took him to studies at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. His second, performing, became his career, and for 20 years David has made his living writing, performing, and directing original interactive comedy across the US and Canada. He now brings his passions together with an explosive style that refuses to allow his audiences time to catch a breath.

Curriculum Connections: Science, Math and Theatre
Produced by: Simon Shaw Entertainment
Performance Length: 50 Minutes with 10 minute Q&A
Suggested Grade Levels: (Grade 3 to 6)
Study Guide: YES

www.doktorkaboom.com
Video of Doktor Kaboom

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The Velveteen Rabbit
Friday, April 16, 2010
10:00 AM 1st Grade Students
1:00 PM 2nd Grade Students

What is Real? When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.” The power of play and childhood fancy, the pure light of unconditional love –these timeless forces illuminate our faithful rendering of Margery Williams’ tale of friendship and the passing of time. A lovely score and detailed period costumes will transport your audience back to the beginning of the last century. There they will experience a particular innocence and wisdom that have much to say to our present culture of instant gratification and disposable friends.


Curriculum Connections: Art, Language Arts, Literary Classic, Music, Reading
Produced by: Theatre IV, Richmond, VA
Performance Length: 50 Minutes with 10 minute Q&A
Suggested Grade Levels: (Grade K to 5)
Study Guide: YES

www.theatreiv.org

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Brown Vs. Board of Education
Monday, April 19, 2010
10:00 AM 6th Grade Students
1:00 PM 7th Grade students

In 1952, the Supreme Court heard a number of school-segregation cases, including Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. It decided unanimously in 1954 that segregation was unconstitutional; overthrowing the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson ruling that had set the "separate but equal" precedent. This one-man performance is the perfect way to start a discussion on civil rights. Whether in the classroom, a black history celebration, or as part of a civil rights forum, this entertaining and explaining tour de force encapsulates the high impact ruling for desegregating schools.



Curriculum Connections: Language Arts, Arts, Social Studies, American History and Character Education
Produced by: Mike Wiley Productions in association with EBZB Productions
Performance Length: 45 minutes with 15 Minute Q&A
Suggested Grade Levels: (7 and Above)
Study Guide Available: YES

www.mikewileyproductions.com

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About Class Acts...

At Sampson CenterStage we are extremely proud that we can support the efforts of our teachers and school systems in educating tomorrow’s leaders by providing a wonderful educational opportunity that supplements our student’s total educational experience. Founded seven years ago, Class Acts-Sampson CenterStage for Students is an arts education initiative administered and supported by the Sampson CenterStage Performing Arts Series, the County of Sampson and scores of individuals, businesses, industries and civic organizations. Class Acts provides an unparalleled opportunity for our school systems’ students to attend live, professional performing arts productions at no cost.

Since the creation of Class Acts over 55,000 students have had the opportunity to attend live performing arts productions FREE OF CHARGE. Over 49 seperate performances have been presented. If students would have had to purchase tickets to attend these performances; the retail value of those tickets alone would exceed $600,000.   Over $299,242 in donations have been raised to fund Class Acts. This provides an economic impact of approximately $39,618 annually to our school systems that might otherwise not exist. This equates to $5.87 per pupil annually in support of our school systems.

Class Acts has gained statewide recognition for its quality programming and community support in introducing students to professional performing arts, many for their first time.  Student audiences system-wide attend events specifically aligned to grade levels and curriculum, with teachers provided valuable study guides to enhance each student’s educational experience.  When it comes to the performing arts in Sampson County, Class Acts helps set a tone for a lifetime.

Did You Know?

Students who participate in the arts are three times more likely to be elected to class office or win an award for school attendance.
 
Students who take four years of art and music classes while in high school score 90-100 points better on the SAT than students who take only a half year or less.
 

How to Support Class Acts

YOU ARE INVITED …to join us in our efforts to provide the students of Sampson County Schools, Clinton City Schools and Harrells Christian Academy with professional performing arts programming designed to enhance the development of our community’s greatest asset, our children.

Class Acts is a public service of Sampson CenterStage Performing Arts Series, the Sampson County Exposition Center and Class Acts Sponsors. Class Acts is funded through generous contributions by many businesses, individuals, industries and civic organizations in and around Sampson County. There is no cost to the students or school systems for Class Acts programming.

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