Salt Lake Acting Company Celebrates the Holiday Season
With Its 9th Annual Children’s Musical:
THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS!
By Robert Kauzlaric, Paul Gilvary & William Rush
Based on the book by John Scieszka & Lane Smith
Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.
Salt Lake Acting Company (SLAC) is preparing for the most wonderful time of the year! From December 1 through December 29, 2017, SLAC will welcome its youngest audiences to step into the jury box for Piggsylvania’s Trial of the Century in THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS! by Robert Kauzlaric, Paul Gilvary & William Rush, based on the popular book by John Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith. This year marks SLAC’s ninth annual professional play for children (of all ages) and with it, a wide array of community engagement and educational programs.
There are two sides to every story. In THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS, the audience becomes the jury in the trial of Alexander T. Wolf, aka The Big Bad Wolf. Was he improperly framed for his huffing and puffing, or is he as guilty as the pigs say? His verdict is up to the audience every performance. With show-stopping tunes and dazzling choreography, THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS is for kids from one to 92!
Penelope Caywood returns to direct and choreograph her eighth children’s play at SLAC. She has worked as Artistic Director for Youth Theatre at the University of Utah for the past ten years and is excited to tackle THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS.
One of the most rewarding aspects of producing children’s theatre for Salt Lake Acting Company is its Title I Arts Education Program, which allows over 1,700 underprivileged schoolchildren to experience the magic of live theatre at no cost to them or their schools. With arts education receiving less and less attention and funding, this program plays a vital role in providing a more well-rounded education to Utah students. Every children’s play that SLAC produces is based on a literary work. SLAC creates a study guide to accompany each play and distributes it to every class that attends the Title I Arts Education Program. The guide includes learning activities to be completed before and after the children see the play, reinforcing the connection between literacy and the arts. Terra Baker, a first-grade teacher from Woodrow Wilson Elementary (a Title I school) said of SLAC’s Title I Arts Education Program, “This experience allows the students to see a book come to life. They were so excited to compare the play to the book, and it sparked their imaginations in the classroom.”
SLAC’s 2017 Title I Arts Education Program will serve the following Utah Title I schools:
Edison Elementary
Franklin Elementary
Kearns-Saint Ann
Liberty Elementary
Meadowlark Elementary
Mountain View Elementary
Newman Elementary
North Star Elementary
Open Classroom
Park View Elementary
Rose Park Elementary
Washington Elementary
In addition to Title I Matinee performances and regular performances at Salt Lake Acting Company, the cast will make special appearances at local schools, museums, bookstores, and libraries throughout November and December. The schedule so far includes:
Saturday, November 18 @ 10:30am | Song of the Heart | 2670 S. 2000 E. (Country Club Plaza), SLC, UT 84109
Tuesday, November 21 @ 9am | Wasatch Elementary | 30 R Street SLC, UT 84103
Tuesday, November 21 @ 4pm | YWCA | 322 E. 300 S. SLC, UT 84111
Saturday, November 25 @ 11am | The King's English | 1511 S. 1500 E. SLC, UT 84105
Monday, November 27 @ 10:30am | St. Vincent de Paul Parish School | 1385 Spring Lane, SLC, UT 84117
Tuesday, December 5 @ 5pm | Sprague Library | 2131 S. 1100 E. SLC, UT 84106
Friday, December 8 @ 3pm | Sandy Library | 10110 Petunia Way, Sandy, UT 84092
Also during this time of year, SLAC bolsters its commitment to enrich and engage community by partnering with several local organizations. SLAC has developed a special relationship with Intermountain Therapy Animals (ITA), a non-profit organization that brings animal resources to human needs in the areas of physical, occupational, speech, and psychotherapies, as well as special education. ITA launched its R.E.A.D. program in 1999 – the first comprehensive literacy program built around the appealing idea of reading to dogs. During the run of THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS, SLAC will host volunteers from ITA along with their furry friends in the lobby to raise awareness and money for the organization.
SLAC is proud to once again partner with Voices for Utah Children, a multi-issue child advocacy organization that works to make Utah a place where all children thrive. They will be joining SLAC for a special performance of THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS.
SLAC will also continue its partnerships with its neighbor to the south, Washington Elementary and the Visual Art Institute. Students will decorate SLAC’s lobby and Green Room with original artwork inspired by the book The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs. SLAC will also be accepting donations on behalf of Washington Elementary throughout the run of the play. Audience members are invited to bring donations of jewelry, hair supplies, Legos, art supplies, sports equipment, playdough, board games, coloring books, gift cards, or any new toy to benefit Washington Elementary’s holiday store.
SLAC is thrilled to welcome the holiday season and with it, the magic of children’s theatre. THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS is sure to delight audiences of all ages.
WHO’S WHO
DIRECTOR
Penelope Caywood has been the Artistic Director of University of Utah’s Youth Theatre program since 2006. Youth Theatre is a successful year-round performing arts training program for youth ages 4 to 18. Over 650 students train in drama annually and over 3500 elementary school students are bussed to see one of their production at Kingsbury Hall each year. She also directs the Youth Theatre Conservatory program for teens. This group of advanced students have been recognized for their original work in Utah, nationally and internationally. Through her Partners in Education collaboration (Salt Lake City School District and Kingsbury Hall) she has created a unique theatre-arts programs at multiple SLC Schools (Wasatch Elementary, Beacon Heights Elementary and Mountain View Elementary) in which she demonstrates drama strategies in the classroom, presents scaffolded workshops to teachers, and assists in the implementation of drama as a teaching method. As this program has grown, Penelope has presented at numerous arts integration and teacher training workshops throughout Utah and other parts of the country. Because of her unique position at the University of Utah, Penelope also teaches integrated arts courses for pre-service teachers. She is also a Professional Development Partner for the Westminster College Region of the Beverly Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program. As a director and choreographer, Penelope has been involved with over forty productions along the Wasatch Front, including work with Rogers Memorial Theatre, Weber State, The Grand Theatre, Plan-B, the Egyptian Theatre, and SLAC.
CAST
Ali Bennett is excited to return to SLAC after over 10 years. Ali was last seen here at SLAC in SATURDAY’S VOYEUR 2006. She is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. Ali has been seen on many stages in the area including: Egyptian Theatre Co., Silver Summit Theatre Co., Pioneer Co., Hale Center Theatre, and The Grand Theatre. Some of her favorite credits include: BETTY BLUE EYES(Joyce), COMPANY(Amy), CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG(Baroness), THE WEDDING SINGER(Julia), BRIGADOON(Meg), RAGTIME(Evelyn), XANADU(Calliope), and The MARVELOUS WONDERETTES(Cindy Lou). By day, Ali teaches preschool at Dancing Moose Montessori School. A big thanks to all the friends and family who watched her sweet Benny so she could swine it up.
Trevor B Dean is excited to be returning back to the SLAC stage again. Some of his credits include Jamie-THE LAST FIVE YEARS, Igor-MEL BROOKS: YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Joly/Feuilly- LES MISERABLES, Scuttle-DISNEY’S LITTLE MERMAID, LeFou-BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Prentice-PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, Seymour- LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and in our very own - 2011’-12’ SATURDAYS VOYEUR. Trevor attended the Musical Theatre program at Weber State University and has performed with several different venues across the Rocky Mt. Region. Thank you, SLAC and Cynthia for this opportunity!
Derek Gregerson is beyond excited to work with this great company. He was recently seen at the Fringe Festival, in EXPOSURE, and Utah Rep’s production of HEATHER’S as JD. Some of his favorite roles include Angel in RENT, Bobby Strong in URINETOWN, and Stacee Jaxx in ROCK OF AGES. Derek is thankful for your support because without it he might huff and puff and blow your house down. Blessed.
Becky Jeanne is thrilled to be a part of THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS cast! Becky has performed in almost 40 productions at several community and professional theaters across the Wasatch Front; this being her third with SLAC. A few of her most memorable roles have been The Drowsy Chaperone in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, Elizabeth Benning in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, and as The Housekeeper in Utah Opera's 2017 production of THE MAN OF LA MANCHA. Becky can also be seen at the Natural History Museum of Utah where she portrays the Viking witch, Rúndis Elidottir and works as the public programs show manager. Becky is thrilled to be a piggy part of this piggy production and wishes you all a squealing good time!!
Betsy West is thrilled to be returning to SLAC. She last performed here as Constance Ledbelly in GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA (GOOD MORNING JULIET). Most recently, Betsy played Leandra in THE WEYWARD SISTERS for Pygmalian Theatre Company. She has been seen at Pinnacle Acting Co. as Miss Prism in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, M’Lynn in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, and Marcus Andronicus in TITUS ANDRONICUS. She has performed at Hale Center Theatre as Maudie Atkinson in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, Mother Superior in SISTER ACT, and Miriam Goldman in BEAU JEST. Favorite roles include Mrs. Potts in PICNIC, Jesse Mae in THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, and Agnes in I DO! I DO! at The Grand Theatre. She has also had the privilege of working with Plan B Theatre Company, PTC, and Sundance Summer Theatre.
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WHO:
Salt Lake Acting Company
WHAT:
THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS!
By Robert Kauzlaric, Paul Gilvary & William Rush
Based on the book by John Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith.
WHEN:
December 1 – 29, 2017
Performance Dates/Times
December 1 – 7PM
December 2 – 12PM, 3PM
December 3 – 12PM, 3PM
December 8 – 7PM
December 9 – 12PM, 3PM
December 10 – 12PM, 3PM
December 15 – 7PM
December 16 –12PM, 3PM
December 17 – 10AM, 12PM, 3PM
December 21 – 7PM
December 22 – 7PM
December 23 – 12PM, 3PM
December 26 –12PM, 3PM
December 27 – 12PM, 3PM
December 28 – 12PM, 3PM
December 29 – 12PM, 3PM
WHERE:
Salt Lake Acting Company
168 West 500 North, Salt Lake City
PRICE:
Children $15, Adults $25
Discounts are available for groups of ten or more.
MORE INFORMATION:
Box Office: 801-363-7522
Open 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Mon – Fri
CAST:
Ali Bennett, Trevor B. Dean, Derek Gregerson, Becky Jeanne, and Betsy West
ARTISTIC TEAM:
Director: Penelope Caywood
Set Design: Thomas George
Costume Design: Spencer Potter
Light Design: Jesse Portillo**
Puppet Design/Construction: Linda L. Brown & Steven Glenn Brown
Stage Manager: William Richardson
Assistant Director: Wilson Hicken
Assistant Light Design: David Anthony-Ken De Carolis
Assistant Costume Design: Jessica Rubin
**The lighting designer of THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS is represented by United Scenic Artist, Local USA 829 of the IATSE.
ABOUT SALT LAKE ACTING COMPANY
Salt Lake Acting Company (SLAC)’s mission is to engage and enrich community through brave contemporary theatre. Founded in 1970, SLAC is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 professional theatre dedicated to producing, commissioning, and developing new works and to supporting a community of professional artists. SLAC has been nationally recognized by the Shubert Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Edgerton Foundation, among others. SLAC operates under a SPT Actors Equity Association contract and is a Constituent Member of Theatre Communications Group (a national organization for non-profit professional regional theatres), and the National New Play Network (a national alliance of non-profit professional theatres that champions the development, production, and continued life of new plays).
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