The Princess Theatre is proud to offer many opportunities in arts education to the schools in Decatur, Morgan County and north Alabama. In partnership with various school systems and schools, the Princess Theatre is an arts education resource and committed to providing quality performances, workshops and residency activities in the arts designed to enrich the curriculum and to expand students' understanding and appreciation of the arts. Teachers have opportunities to broaden their teaching skills and learn how to use the arts in the classroom.
An arts education program is an essential component of a student's education. These programs help schools meet the requirements of the new Alabama Course of Study for Arts Education. Studies have shown that arts education in schools:
- Provides greater motivation to learn in all subjects.
- Increases attendance rates for students and teachers.
- Raises test scores including standardized achievement tests.
- Engages students more fully in the learning process.
- Gives teachers a sense of renewal and challenge, especially when the arts are integrated with other subjects.
- Develops higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills.
For more information, please contact:
Lindy Ashwander, Executive Director
lindy@princesstheatre.org
Princess Theatre Center for the Performing Arts
112 2nd Avenue NE
Decatur, AL 35601-2349
256.350.1745 x 302
- Young Audience Professional Series
- Professional Development for Teachers
- Lecture Series
- School Discount Rental Fee
- Discount Tickets for Teachers and Students
- On Site Classroom Visits by Artists
- Collaboration on Arts Projects
- Arts Education Advisory Committee
- Community Arts Education Resources
Young Audience Professional Series (Elementary Schools)
The series is a selection of high quality performing arts events for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, designed to expose students to a variety of art forms in a theatrical setting. Curriculum study guides are provided to teachers to assist in preparing students for performances and to help schools meet the requirements of the Alabama Course of Study for Arts Education. All performances are held at the 677-seat historic Princess Theatre. After unloading students in front of the Theatre, free parking is available for buses along Holly Street and adjacent to the Theatre.
Reservations:
Students: $7.00
Teachers: Complimentary
Reservation forms are distributed to principals of participating schools in August. Each school returns the completed reservation form to the Princess Theatre. Performance dates are assigned for each grade of the school and a written confirmation and invoice will be sent to the principal. For assistance, contact Debbie Nieberlein at 350.1745 ext. 301 or debbie@princesstheatre.org.
Program Forms (available to download)
THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW
Grades: 3, 4 & 5
Written by: Michael Price Nelson
Based on the tale by: Washington Irving
Directed by Dane Peterson
Legend tells us that the Headless Horseman roams the village of Sleepy Hollow under the full moon forever looking for a head to replace the one he lost, but is it true? This retelling of the classic tale by Washington Irving will capture your imagination as Brom Bones and Ichabod Crane duel for the affection of the beautiful Katrina. This timeless piece of literature is sure to thrill as it leads you on a spooky jaunt through the woods and into a close encounter with the infamous haunt of the town.
bct123.orgDates:
- Monday, November 14, 2011 - 9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, November 15, 2011 - 9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Curriculum Connections: Literature-based; Drama, Dance, Music & Language Arts
HENRY AND MUDGE
Grades: K, 1, 2
Book and Lyrics by: Kait Kerrigan
Music and Lyrics by: Brian Lowdermilk
Based on the series of books by: Cynthia Rylant
Moving from the city to a new home in the country can be tough. Just ask Henry, who can’t find a playmate in his new neighborhood! Luckily, he's got Mudge, a great big, 182-pound, canine buddy, with whom he can share all kinds of adventures! Henry discovers that having a pet is a big responsibility – they need to be fed, they need to be taken out for walks, and of course they need lots of love and playtime! And when the dog is as big as Mudge is, they also need good training. Henry teaches his new friend to sit, heel, and shake his hand, but rolling over is one trick Henry just can’t teach Mudge, no matter how hard he tries. When Henry’s cousin Annie comes for a visit, Mudge is so charmed by her that he finally rolls over at her command! Henry thinks Mudge must love Annie more than him, because the dog only does the trick for her. Very upset, Henry runs away into the cold dark woods to find adventures on his own. Mudge follows the boy’s scent into the forest – he really does love Henry and doesn’t want to be without him. Will the two friends be reunited? Find out in this Theatreworks musical, based on the best-sellingseries of books by Cynthia Rylant.
Dates:
- Friday, February 17, 2012 - 9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Curriculum Connections: Literature Based, Communication & Language Arts, Relationships & Family
SKIPPYJON JONES
Grades: K, 1, 2
Based on the series of books by: Judith SchachnerSkippyjon Jones is a little kitten with big ears and even bigger dreams! Sometimes he pretends to be a bird, sometimes he pretends to be a llama, and sometimes he pretends to be a whale… Anything BUT a Siamese cat!
His Mama sends him to his room so that he can think about behaving like the cat he really is. While bouncing on his big boy bed, Skippyjon’s wild imagination takes over again as he catches his reflection in a mirror. “Holy guacamole,” Skippyjon exclaims. “My ears are too big for my head, my head is too big for my body. I am not a Siamese cat – I am a CHIHUAHUA!” And not just any Chihuahua. He dons a mask, a cape, and an accent, and transforms into Skippito Friskito, the greatest canine sword fighter in old Mexico! But when the local pack of chihuahuas is terrorized by the gigantic bee, Alfredo Buzzito El Blimpo Bublebeeto Bandito, will Skippyjon be a ‘fraidy-cat or the top dog?
Based on the book by Judy Schachner, and from the creators of Theatreworks USA’s Junie B. Jonesand Click, Clack, Moo, Skippyjon Jones is an enchanting musical about unleashing your powerful imagination and following your dreams.
Dates:
- Friday, April 20, 2012 - 9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Curriculum Connections: Literature Based, Communication & Language Arts, Music, Multi-Cultural, Relationships & Family
The Princess Theatre Center for the Performing Arts and the Decatur City Schools are members of the Kennedy Center Partners in Education. Selected because of their demonstrated commitment to the improvement in education in and through the arts, the partnership team participates in collaborative efforts to make the arts integral to education.
TEACHER WORKSHOPS
A TALK WITH JAMES R. HARRIS
CIVIL WAR VOICES PLAYWRIGHT
Sunday, September 25, 3:30 PM
Jim Harris was inspired to write Civil War Voices when he discovered the existence of the diary kept by his great-great uncle Joe, a cotton farmer in Opelika, during the Civil War.
BARTER THEATRE PRESENTS
CIVIL WAR VOICES
TRUE STORIES, REAL WORDS, THE MUSIC AND VOICES THAT SHAPED AMERICA
Tuesday, October 18, 2011 7:30 PM
Preshow Talk On Stage At 7PM
Written by James. R. Harris
With Traditional Music from the Period Arranged by Mark Hayes
The play tells passionate true stories of people who lived through the greatest conflict in our nation’s history as told in their own words and woven with traditional music of the period. One such character was the playwright’s great-great uncle Joe Harris, a cotton planter from Alabama and reluctant soldier, whose diary inspired the play.
THE 150th ANNIVERSARY
CIVIL WAR INITIATIVE
September - October
During September and October, the Princess Theatre is collaborating with other cultural organizations to learn about our community’s own heritage during the Civil War. Learn about the 1864 Battle for Decatur in a Civil War Walking Tour, visit historic sites such as the Wheeler Home and Old State Bank, experience one of the country’s largest private collections of Civil War era relics at the Blue & Gray Museum of North Alabama, see classic films about the war and experience the stories through concerts, lectures and dramatic productions.
YEAR OF ALABAMA MUSIC INITIATIVE
SECRET SISTERS
AMERICANA MUSIC AWARD NOMINEE FOR NEW/EMERGING ARTIST!
Thursday, November 3, 7:30 PM
The Secret Sisters are Laura and Lydia Rogers, a pair of Alabama sisters from Muscle Shoals. It was the Secret Sisters’ vocals and their love and respect for music and harmony that first caught the attention of T Bone Burnett, who signed on as Executive Producer and is releasing their debut album on his new label. As Burnett explains, “Listening to the Secret Sisters sing, you hear in their voices a sound that is timeless and of the moment. You hear the history of rural American music from the 1920’s and a reverence for every musical genre this country has produced... The Secret Sisters album is as close to pure as it gets.”
ACOUSTIC CHRISTMAS
WITH SHOALS SINGER/SONGWRITERS WALT ALDRIDGE, GARY BAKER, LENNY LeBLANC & TEDDY GENTRY
Tuesday, December 6, 7:30 PM
Alabama songwriters Walt Aldridge, Gary Baker, Lenny LeBlanc along with Teddy Gentry of the legendary group Alabama extend their 6th Annual acoustic Christmas special outside of the Shoals area for the 2011 Year of Music in Alabama. Over the past six years, this Invite-Only Christmas show has been a sellout tradition. These four accomplished musicians bring the stories and performances of their hit music along with the special music of Christmas.
HITS INCLUDE: “Amazed,” “Smile,” “No News,” “I Swear,” “Falling,” “I Loved Her First,” “Holding Her and Loving You,” “Above All”
AN EVENING WITH RICK BRAGG
PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR
Thursday, December 8, 7:30 PM
Book Signing to follow
Rick Bragg is an American author and journalist known for his non-fiction books, especially those on his family in Alabama. Bragg won the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing in 1996 for his work at The New York Times. Bragg was born in Piedmont, Alabama and grew up in the small community of Possum Trot. He has authored five books: All Over but the Shoutin’, Ava’s Man, The Prince of Frogtown, I Am a Soldier Too: The Jessica Lynch Story, and The Most They Ever Had. He is one of Alabama’s most popular storytellers and decorated writers as well as a recipient of the Harper Lee Award.
The Decatur City Schools provides in-service credit towards professional development for teachers attending lectures and workshops. For workshop reservations, call the Princess Theatre at 256-350-1745 ext 302 and for tickets to performances, call 256-340-1778.
Special teacher and student discount tickets are available for many performances at the Princess Theatre.
DECATUR READS RICK BRAGG
A COMMUNITY LITERARY PROJECT
September - December 2011
This fall, in partnership with the Decatur City Schools and Decatur Public Library, Decatur will read the books of Pulitzer Prize-winning Alabama author Rick Bragg. We hope this community read will unite our city through great literature as well as inspire students to become life-long readers.
BIG BAND BASH XIX
Thursday, April 5, 2012 - 7:00 p.m.
The annual benefit concert celebrates the talents of Alabama musicians playing the classic big band sounds! The event showcases the best jazz bands from area schools and around the state.
VIOLINS! VIOLINS! VIOLINS!
Monday, May 14, 2012 - 7:00 p.m.
Featuring the string programs of Decatur City Schools & the Decatur Youth Orchestra
Decatur City Schools:
- Dr. Sam L. Houston, Superintendent
- Dr. Ed Nichols, Assistant Superintendent
- Dr. Jeanne Payne, Curriculum/Staff Development
Hartselle City Schools:
- Dr. Mike Reed, Superintendent
These arts in education programs are made possible by:
The Daniel Foundation of Alabama
