Almost everyone who has lived in Spartanburg for any length of time knows someone who has been to one of The Spartanburg Youth Theatre’s productions. Always an hour long, always cast with area youth and always entertaining, these shows have been a staple field trip destination for many of Spartanburg’s school children and teachers for over 30 years.
This week it’s no different. Wednesday and Thursday at 9:30, 11:00 and 12:30, the Chapman Cultural Center will see a steady stream of school busses dropping off and picking up eager and excited children, all anticipating SYT’s latest production: a modern adaption of the classic fairy tale The Princess and the Pea.
Here’s how it works:
1. The production schedule is sent out to all districts in Spartanburg, Union and Cherokee counties, as well as latchkey programs and Homeschoolers at the beginning of the year.
2. Teachers start calling in with their reservations for one of the six performances. Tickets are $5 per student and accompanying parents and free for teachers.
3. Educational materials for the productions are provided online on our website at no charge. Teachers are encouraged to use these as a preview activity or a follow up.
4. Deposits are made, confirmations and invoices are exchanged until the day of the performances when….
5. The production magic begins. A cast of youth, a backstage crew of youth, and a lighting/sound/tech both staffed completely with youth. That’s what makes us unique.
Then on the Friday and Saturday, the public is invited to see the show. Fridays at 4:30 and 7:00 pm and Saturday at 2:00 pm. This year the Boys and Girls Club are bringing 250+ children to every Friday 4:30 performance!
So, this week, it’s all about the Pea…and the 2200+ children, teachers and parents on fieldtrips waiting to see if that Princess is going to able to catch some zzzzZZZZZZZ’s.
You can come too: www.chapmanculturalcenter.org or (864) 542-ARTS. February 12 and 13. And don’t forget the Royal Tea Party on February 13. Call our office at 585-8278 for reservations.
