PR2003 Dec 16

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Wendy Jones 205-391-2310

SHELTON STATE AND THEATRE TUSCALOOSA HOST

ADOPT-A-SCHOOL PARTNER FOR SPECIAL PERFORMANCEs

(Tuscaloosa) – On Tuesday, December 16, Shelton State Community College and Theatre Tuscaloosa hosted Englewood Elementary School, Shelton State’s Adopt-a-School partner, for two special performances of “A Christmas Story.”

Englewood Elementary, as well as Hillcrest Middle School, has been Shelton State’s Adopt-a-School partners since the college relocated to its Old Greensboro Road campus in 1995. The school provides a variety of activities throughout the school year including participating in “Red Ribbon Week,” a drug awareness program, special events for Honor Roll students, field trips and invitations to attend campus sporting events.

Theatre Tuscaloosa artistic director Michael Carr said, “Providing opportunities for young people to see live performances is the key to ensuring a healthy future for the arts and the community.”

The two special performances were provided by Theatre Tuscaloosa and the volunteer cast and crew of “A Christmas Story.” Over 600 students in grades 3 through 5 attended the show.

Susan Mohun, who coordinates the Adopt-a-School program for Shelton State said, “Although teachers have brought individual classes to productions before, this is the first time we have done a special performance for our partner school.”

Public performances of “A Christmas Story” continue through December 21. “A Christmas Story,” is based on humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the Midwest of the 1940’s follows the quest of Ralphie Parker to get a genuine Red Rider BB Gun for Christmas.

Performances are scheduled for December 17 at 2 P.M., December 19 and 20 at 7:30 P.M. and December 21 at 2:00 P.M. To purchase advance tickets call the Theatre Tuscaloosa box office at 205-391-2277. Tickets may also be purchase in person at the box office of the Bean-Brown Theatre on the campus of Shelton State Community College at 9500 Old Greensboro Road in Tuscaloosa.