Photo by Rachel Wells
(Dallas, TX) Calling all bookworms and generous spirits! Only one week left to donate books to DCT’s literacy partner and neighbor, VMLC, and share your love of reading! During the run of Goodnight Moon, January 25 – March 3, audiences have been encouraged to bring a new book for ages 4 months to 5 years to Dallas Children’s Theater, 5938 Skillman Street, and receive one FREE ticket per family to DCT’s summer show, “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs!”. Don’t miss this last chance to help support a very worthy cause.
VMLC (founded in 1997 as Vickery Meadow Learning Center) improves English Literacy levels among non-English speaking adults and their young children by providing classes and other programs. VMLC provides English Literacy instruction at no cost to 1,000 adults and 200 young children at campus locations in three Dallas neighborhoods: Vickery Meadow, West Dallas, and Bachman Lake. At VMLC, simultaneous literacy instruction for children and adults enhances learning for the entire family.
DCT is proud to be located in the Vickery Meadow, a high-density, low-income neighborhood comprised mostly of immigrants and refugees. Our mission is to make theater accessible for all children and parents in Dallas, regardless of economic or cultural background,” says DCT Education Director, Nancy Schaeffer. “Our Curtains Up on Literacy program is a wonderful way for us to reach those who live close by.”
DCT’s Curtains Up on Literacy (CUOL) program is a unique partnership between the theater and VMLC. CUOL is a FREE parent/child literacy program designed to facilitate inter-generational learning by linking adult literacy and ESL classes with pre-K children’s classes. Families attend a DCT play based on a children’s book, participate in dramatic activities, and learn together. Studies show that participants, especially those who are culturally unaccustomed to traditional classroom methods, retain a greater percentage of materials presented theatrically. DCT aims to instill an appreciation and life-long love of reading and theater in both children and adults, engaging them in the creative process and enriching their understanding of themselves and the world in which they live.
“The early childhood years are crucial for children’s language and literacy learning, particularly for our children as they are from immigrant and refugee families,” says Birgit Scott, Children’s Program Director at VMLC. “While the parents are learning English in VMLC adult classes, we prepare the children to be successful in elementary school and beyond. The CUOL program improves the English literacy of children and parents in a fun way that engages the entire family in learning,” she adds.
The books collected by DCT will become part of the VMLC library and be presented as gifts for VMLC students on birthdays.
Of course, it’s also your last chance to see the wonderful, whimsical musical adaptation of GOODNIGHT MOON, but you don’t have to see the play to participate in the book drive. Stop by anytime during regular business hours or on the weekend during the final performances to leave your book donation!
Goodnight Moon
Adapted from the book by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd
Book, music and lyrics by Chad Henry
Similar to the famous children’s book that inspired the play, this production is ideal for the youngest of audience members and is recommended for ages 4 and up. It is an excellent introduction to theater, as well as lively entertainment for all ages.
Dallas Children’s Theater, Rosewood Center for Family Arts
5938 Skillman Street, Dallas, Texas 75231
Final performance dates and times: Saturday, March 2 at 1:30 pm; Sunday, March 3 at 1:30 pm & 4:30 pm
Ticket Prices: $14 – $40
DCT Box Office: 214-740-0051
Tickets also available on-line! www.dct.org
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