Harry D. and Esther Stephens Memorial supports DCCA
Arts in Education and Family Theatre Series

The Harry D. and Esther Stephens Memorial have once again given a very generous donation to Darke County Center for the Arts in support of the arts in Darke County. The Harry D. and Esther Stephens Memorial contributions help DCCA encourage cultural enrichment in the community through the Family Theater Series programs, which are presented at St. Clair Memorial Hall and are open to the public. Programs are generally based on children’s literature; ticket prices are just $5. Through Arts In Education, and in conjunction with local schools, performing artists are annually taken to each grade of every public school in Darke County, ensuring that children in the community have the opportunity to learn and grow through the arts. According to DCCA Executive Director Andrea Jordan, “The Harry D. and Esther Stephens Memorial support of children’s programming makes it possible for us to present wonderful, creativity enhancing Family Theatre Series programs at an affordable ticket price, and enables all Darke County public school students to experience a culturally enriching artistic program each year.” Jordan continued, “DCCA thanks the the Harry D. and Esther Stephens Memorial for their strong support of the arts; we are absolutely thrilled to see the children in our community receive the benefit of their generosity.”

DCCA’s 2013/2014 Family Theatre Series includes three performances; Theatreworks USA presented Seussical on January 26. Coming up on Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 pm is Lightwire Theater’s reproduction of the classics The Ugly Duckling & The Tortise and the Hare, Lightwire Theater earned a national audience with appearances on NBC's America's Got Talent, earning accolades from the competition's judges as well as the viewing public. Combining the ancient art of full-body puppetry with electroluminescence to create a unique theatrical experience, Lightwire Theater imaginatively uses choreography and music to bring stories to life. The final show of the season will be Five Little Monkeys on Sunday, April 6, at 2:00 pm. Going Shopping, baking cakes, sitting in trees and JUMPING ON BEDS!!! In this zany play, performed in cumulative verse five silly simian siblings insist on doing things their own way while baking a surprise cake for Mama Monkey. Family Theatre Series shows take place at St. Clair Memorial Hall in Greenville, tickets are $5 and are available at Readmore’s Hallmark in Greenville, Worch Memorial Public Library in Versailles, and by contacting DCCA at (937) 547-0908 or DCCA@CenterForArts.net. Tickets will also be available at the door the day of the performance.

Arts In Education programs for 2013/2014 include American roots musicians WILD CARROT performing for students in grades K through 3 and CARPE DIEM STRING QUARTET who performed for High School students in the fall. World Class pianist ALPIN HONG will be performing for Jr. High Students at St. Clair Memorial Hall March 6 & 7, and March 17-21 MR. BLUE SHOES will be performing for grades 4-6 sharing his unique version of the story of Blues Music. Arts In Education artists are generally in residence for a week as they tour all of the eight public school districts in Darke County.

For more information on DCCA’s Family Theatre Series, Arts In Education outreach or other programming contact the DCCA office at (937) 547-0908 or visit our website CenterForArts.net.