New Rep Joins Watertown Free Public Library on ONE BOOK, ONE WATERTOWN: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

New Repertory Theatre announces joining Watertown Free Public Library in creating special programming in celebration of One Book, One Watertown 2012, surrounding To Kill A Mockingbird, the classic novel by Harper Lee, this fall. 

Throughout September and October, the organizations will host a number of special events surrounding To Kill A Mockingbird, for families and patrons of all ages including book discussion groups, a 4-week memoir writing workshop, a free screening of Watertown resident and filmmaker Sandra Jaffee’s documentary Our Mockingbird, and the kick-off performances of the staged adaptation of New Rep’s To Kill A Mockingbird at The Charles Mosesian Theater, including a free concert by gospel trio AzOne at the Arsenal Center for the Arts. The library will also host Dinner and a Movie, catered by Blue Ribbon BBQ with a screening of the 1962 award-winning film To Kill A Mockingbird.

“It made perfect sense to join with New Rep,” says Jill Clements, Department Head of Reference for Watertown Free Public Library. “Their Classic Repertory Company, which tours schools, colleges, and the community, had already decided to present To Kill A Mockingbird. We thought – why not collaborate and enhance the programming for the Watertown community?”

2012 marks the fifth time WFPL has participated in One Book, One Watertown. “It celebrates reading,” continues Clements. “It focuses the public library as a center of community activity and brings many different groups of people together to discuss one thing at the same time. Patrons get to enrich their reading experience by discussing it, learning about it with friends and neighbors, all within the context of the community in which we live and work.”

“We’re thrilled to partner with Watertown Free Public Library,” says New Rep Managing Director Harriet Sheets. “We aim to provide more opportunities for our audience to engage in a variety of ways. Participating in these co-operative events with the library adds to the theatre-going experience.”

"This partnership with Watertown Free Public Library,” Artistic Director Jim Petosa says, “is cause for celebration. Through it, our town's leading advocate for literacy joins forces with Watertown's professional theatre to help stimulate a shared cultural experience—by reading this significant book and/or experiencing it’s story on stage. To Kill A Mockingbird is a hallmark moment for the American novel. As such, it is the perfect story inaugurating both New Rep’s collaboration with the library and the launching of New Rep’s Classic Repertory Company, touring the classics and great works of literature to the community.”

ONE BOOK, ONE WATERTOWN SCHEUDLE OF EVENTS

Memoir Writing Workshop
Saturdays, beginning TODAY September 15 and continuing Sept. 22, 29, October 6, 1:30pm
123 Main Street, Watertown, Mass. 
Telephone: 617-972-6431
Watertown Free Public Library Website: www.watertownlib.org
Free, open to the public, please register.

Over four sessions, learn to write the story of your life, with Lynne Benton, published writer and editor. Register by stopping by the second floor Reference Desk at Watertown Free Public Library or call 617.972.6436.

Page to Stage with New Repertory Theatre
Thursday, September 20, 7pm
123 Main Street, Watertown, Mass.
Watertown Free Public Library, Watertown Savings Bank Rm.
Telephone: 617-972-6431
Website: www.watertownlib.org
Free, open to the public, no registration necessary.

Workshop: Violence Through the Eyes of A Child 
Thursday, September 27, 6:30pm 
123 Main Street, Watertown, Mass.
Telephone: 617-972-6431 
Watertown Free Public Library Website: www.watertownlib.org
Free, open to the public, no registration necessary.

In this session, with Families First Parenting Programs, Inc., parents will identify the children who are most at risk in communities plagued by violence, then review recommendations for effective parenting styles that best help keep children safe. Also, parents will explore resources within and outside of their communities and how to support children who are exposed to violence in their communities.

To Kill a Mockingbird Community Book Discussion & Sneak Peek of Our Mockingbird Film
Wednesday, October 3, 7pm
123 Main Street, Watertown, Mass.
Telephone: 617-972-6431
Watertown Free Public Library Website: www.watertownlib.org
Free, open to the public, no reservation necessary.

Talk about To Kill A Mockingbird with the Watertown community and area filmmaker Sandra Jaffee, creator of Our Mockingbird, the documentary film.

Screening of Documentary Film Our Mockingbird
Tuesday, October 16, 7pm
Charles Mosesian Theater, Arsenal Center for the Arts
321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, Mass. 
Telephone: 617.923-8487
Website: www.newrep.org/onebook.php
Free, open to the public, no reservation necessary.

Watch Our Mockingbird, the documentary by Watertown filmmaker Sandra Jaffe. Our Mockingbird documents the impact of this book on American culture, and how it still resonates in our national discourse about race, class, and justice.

To Kill A Mockingbird Theatrical Performances and Gospel Performance by Az One
Monday, October 22, 10am and 6:30pm
Charles Mosesian Theater, Arsenal Center for the Arts
321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, Mass. 
Telephone: 617.923-8487 (either 10am or 7:30pm)
Website: www.newrep.org/onebook.php
Theatre ticket $14, or $10 with WFPL card Gospel performance, free of charge, 6:30pm

See the first public performances of New Repertory Theatre’s Classic Repertory Company’s production of To Kill A Mockingbird right before it tours schools, colleges and the community throughout the fall and spring. Two performances: 10am and 7:30pm. Before the 7:30 performance, gather to hear Gospel Singing by AzOne at 6:30pm, free admission to concert.

About TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD: Still one of the most contested books in school libraries, more than 50 years after its publication in 1960, To Kill A Mockingbird has been called “the greatest novel of the 20th century.” Harper Lee’s first and only novel earned the Pulitzer Prize and the film adaptation won the Academy Award for Best Picture. By 1966, the book had found its way into classrooms across America.

About Watertown Free Public Library: Watertown Free Public Library, located at 123 Main Street in downtown Watertown, serves as a hub where all come to meet and connect in a welcoming, supportive environment. At WFPL, Watertown citizens may pursue interests of all kinds: informational, recreational and educational. The library offers many services to its patrons including book borrowing, passes to area museums, community room reservations, a café, wireless internet, computer use, book sales, and services for patrons who are homebound. In addition, it offers book groups, computer instruction, films, and reference/research assistance. WFPL is open Monday through Thursday 9am-9pm, Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 1-5pm. ??

About New Repertory Theatre: New Repertory Theatre produces plays that speak powerfully to the essential ideas of our time. Through the passion and electricity of live theater performed to the highest standards of excellence, New Rep expands and challenges the human spirit of both artists and audience. New Rep presents world premieres, contemporary and classic works in several intimate settings. We are committed to education and outreach, including special dedication to the creation of innovative in-school programming and providing access to underserved audiences. New Rep is an active advocate for the arts and a major voice in the national dialogue defining the role of theater in our culture.

About Classic Repertory Company: New Rep’s flagship educational outreach program (formerly New Rep On Tour), tours professional productions of classic and relevant works of literature to schools, colleges, and the community throughout New England. Classic Repertory Company’s 20120-2013 Season productions include 90-minute adaptations of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and ROMEO AND JULIET, in repertory. The touring production includes every aspect of the theatrical production: the cast, crew, set, costumes, props, and sound. In addition, CRC provides study guides and post-performance talk-back discussions with the cast. Further, CRC offers theatrical workshops allowing audiences to expand their understanding of literature, text, language, collaboration, and problem-solving.

For more information, visit www.newrep.org and www.watertownlib.org.

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