Morrison Center 'Encore!' Children's Program Announces Its Second Season

ENCORE!, the Velma V. Morrison Center’s youth arts education program, kicks off its second season this winter. Endorsed by the State Department of Education, ENCORE! (which stands for “Explore Never-ending Creative-arts Opportunities Relating to Education) brought the arts last year to 11,000 young people from 43 different Idaho cities.

The program brings national touring companies such as the Kennedy Center’s Imagination Celebration to the Morrison Center at Boise State University as field trip opportunities. Shows are appropriate for audiences ranging from pre-school to high school age, as well as teachers and parents.

ENCORE’s goal is to reach all children with the desire to experience the performing arts, regardless of their ability to pay. Last year, more than 3,000 children received financial aid to attend a performance. Thanks to donations, ticket prices have remained low. Additional scholarship tickets are available, and donations can be made to support the program by calling 426-1034 or http://mc.boisestate.edu/encore/encore.html.

This year’s lineup includes:

• “Alexander Who’s Not, Not, Not, Not, Not, Not Going to Move!” 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Dec. 5. Presented by the Kennedy Center’s Imagination Celebration on Tour. Recommended for grades K-6.

• “LAZER Vaudeville.” 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. March 10. Recommended for grades 2-9.

• “Tap Kids.” Time TBA, April 7. Recommended for grades 6-12.

• “Pinocchio.” Time TBA, April 11. Presented by the Enchantment Theater Company. Recommended for grades pre-K-5.

Additional learning opportunities include:

• Teacher Development Workshop. The Kennedy Center will present a teacher development workshop in conjunction with its production of “Alexander.” The workshop is open to educators who teach second through fifth grades. Space is extremely limited. Call 426-1034 for more information.

• Summer Camp at the Morrison Center. ENCORE! will offer a weeklong summer camp for elementary school-aged students during summer 2006. The weeklong camp of workshops and rehearsals will teach children about all aspects of theater. The camp will end with a complete, one-hour musical performance based on well-known children’s stories.

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Contact: Karen Stucker, Morrison Center Youth Program Coordinator, (208) 426-1034, karenstucker@boisestate.edu

Media Contact: Julie Hahn, University Relations, (208) 426-5540, juliehahn@boisestate.edu