The UAA Theatre for Young People program presents The Elephants Child

The newly reorganized UAA Theatre for Young People program proudly announces its first production, an original adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's, The Elephant's Child, which opens to the public on Friday, April 27 and runs through Sunday, April 29 in the Wendy Williamson Auditorium at UAA. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased in the lobby of the Wendy Williamson Auditorium up to one hour prior to each performance.  Performances are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings with matinee performances at 3 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

This charming rendition of the classic children's story will be directed by Elizabeth Ware. The production will feature original music by Anchorage's own Tim Tucker with script and lyrics by James Ware. Joining UAA theatre and music students in this jungle romp are 12-year-old Leah Mattfield in the title role, Ursula Gould as Aunt G the Giraffe and Tim Tucker as the Bi-colored Python Rock Snake.

TFYP, now an established part of the Department of Theatre and Dance's Youth and Education program at UAA, continues to produce plays in the Wendy Williamson Auditorium every semester. The new program, directed by Yngvil Vatn Guttu, will also offer several outreach programs, including an Anchorage School District/Parent Teacher Associations in- and after-school drama program, professional development classes for drama teachers, new year-round courses for students and an annual community symposium and showcase that trains young people in performing arts.

This year TFYP will also offer two Summer Performance Academy sessions. The first session, June 4-24, will focus on movement, multi-media, and music, culminating with a final performance. The second session, July 2-29, will be similar to the traditional theatre performance academies held in the past. Running concurrently with the summer sessions will be a part-time Creative Drama Workshop for young children. Evening workshops in theatre, dance, music and circus skills will also be offered for community members.

For additional information about TFYP or their Summer Academy offerings, contact Yngvil Vatn Guttu at 786-6872, or visit http://theatre.uaa.alaska.edu/pages/tfyp.html