American Folklore Theatre Provides Free Door County Student Ticket to Life on the Mississippi
Posted on 14. May, 2010 by Staff Reporter in On Stage & Screen
In celebration of American Folklore Theatre’s 20th Anniversary Season, every elementary, middle and high school student in Door County will receive a complimentary ticket to attend the world premiere production Life on the Mississippi this summer at the AFT Amphitheatre in Peninsula State Park.
The more than 4,000 tickets will be distributed to the schools the week of May 17th and will be in the students’ hands by summer vacation.Life on the Mississippi will take students on a journey with young Samuel Clemens as he leaves home in Hannibal, Missouri to be a cub pilot on a Mississippi steamboat in 1858. Adapted from Mark Twain’s own memoir, writers Douglas M. Parker (book/lyrics) and Denver Casado (music) have fashioned a funny and heartfelt musical that will give students a deeper understanding of how Sam Clemens became the well-known American author, Mark Twain.
This is not the first time that American Folklore Theatre has engaged in this type of large-scale community outreach. In 2001, AFT donated over 4,500 tickets to Door County students to see Loose Lips Sink Ships. The response was overwhelming and Loose Lips became one of AFT’s most popular summer shows.
“AFT prides itself on providing family-affordable entertainment. Last season was our most successful season to date. We thought the best way to celebrate our 20th Anniversary season was to reprise this wonderful program.”
“We look forward to offering local children and young adults the opportunity to appreciate original musical theatre while gaining a deeper understanding of our American Heritage,” states Holly Feldman, AFT Manager of Marketing.
The initiative kicked off in March when AFT contacted area schools, informing school administrators of the program and asking for their cooperation in seeing the project through.
Feldman adds, “Schools placed information in their newsletters and found various ways to make sure that the tickets get into the hands of the over 4,000 students in Door County. Some students will receive their ticket with their final report cards, some with the last school newsletter, and still others will receive them from their teachers during the school day. We were also successful in reaching out to the county’s home-school students.”
Life on the Mississippi is sponsored by Baylake Bank and opens Friday, June 18 and plays Mondays at 8 pm, Wednesdays at 6 pm, and Fridays at 8 pm, through August 27 at the AFT Amphitheatre in Peninsula State Park. Students will need to present their complimentary tickets at the amphitheatre. All AFT performances are suitable for all ages. For more information, visit www.FolkloreTheatre.com.
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