ROOM ON THE BROOM Flies to Segerstrom Center, 10/25 & 31

Tall Stories' magical musical stage adaptation of Room on the Broom, the best- selling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, takes audiences aboard a magnificent broom for an unforgettable adventure. With performances taking place at Segerstrom Center for the Arts on October 25 and 31 in Samueli Theater, Room on the Broom is an ideal family treat for those who love the book and as an introduction to theatre for preschool and kindergarten children and their families. Expect enchanting puppetry, sing-along songs and hilarious fun for everyone aged three and up. The 1 p.m. performance on Sunday, October 25 will be sign-language interpreted. Sensory-friendly features will be introduced to the Family Series for the first time during the 10 a.m. performance on Saturday, October 31.

Join a witch and her cat as they fly happily along on their broomstick - until a stormy wind blows the witch's hat, bow and wand away into the night. With the help of a daft dog, a beautiful bird and a friendly frog, her belongings are retrieved. But this broomstick's not meant for five and - CRACK! - it snaps in two. When a hungry dragon appears, who will save the poor witch? And will there ever be room on the broom for everyone?

Room on the Broom is recommended for grades Pre-K - 3rd and family audiences. Tickets are $20 and will go on sale Sunday, August 30 at 10 a.m. PT. Tickets will be available online at SCFTA.org, at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling (714) 556-2787. For inquiries about group ticket savings for 10 or more, call the Group Services office at (714) 755-0236. The TTY number is (714) 556-2746. The 1 p.m. performance on Sunday, October 25 will be sign-language interpreted. The 10 a.m. performance on Saturday, October 31 will be sensory-friendly.

Sensory-friendly precautions are taken to reduce sound levels, particularly loud or startling sounds; reduce overwhelming stage lighting; provide low ambient lighting in the theater throughout the performance so patrons are able to see should they need to move around or exit the theater; leave some seats unsold to allow extra room for patrons who may need to move or exit during the performance; provide social story and other preparatory materials to parents and children so they know what to expect from the performance; allow use of iPads, other tablet devices and smart phones if needed as a communication device for a child; and break spaces for those who might feel overwhelmed and need a break from the performance. For more information about the sensory-friendly features, call (714) 556-2787 or e-mail Access@SCFTA.org.

Audiences are encouraged to arrive an hour before the performance for free creative activities. The Center's Education Department offers these enriching experiences to provide young people and their families more opportunities to play together creatively. Studies show that this is critical in helping to develop the ability to think and problem solve.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts applauds The Charles & Mildred Schnurmacher Foundation, Inc. for its support of the Family Series and Macy's for its support of Sensory-Friendly performances. OC Family is the Media Partner of the Family Series. Kia is the Official Automotive Partner of the Center and United Airlines, Official Airline of the Center.

Segerstrom Center's 2015 - 2016 Family Series also includes The Okee Dokee Brothers, *Big Bad Wolf, *Egg, The Box Brothers, Kid Koala's Nufonia Must Fall LIVE, Perô (or the Mysteries of the Night) and Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella. (*indicates Sensory-Friendly Performances which are designed specifically to help children on the autism spectrum or others with sensory sensitivity enjoy fully the magic and amazement of live performances.)

The Company

Tall Stories is dedicated to bringing great stories to life on stage for audiences of all ages. The company is a registered charity which has become internationally recognized for its exciting blend of storytelling theatre, original music and lots of laughs. The company has performed at the National Theatre, various West End theatres, Sydney Opera House and on Broadway. Tall Stories shows tour to small and large scale venues in the U.K., and have performed abroad as far away as Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Poland, Singapore, Taiwan and the U.S. The company was founded in 1997 by Artistic Directors Olivia Jacobs and Toby Mitchell.

Tall Stories' current productions:

Alfie White: Space Explorer - WORLD PREMIERE Edinburgh Fringe Festival, August 2015, UK Tour 2016

The Gruffalo - West End Summer Season, UK Tour, Broadway 2015, UAE 2015, Asia 2016

Room on the Broom - UAE 2015, Xmas 2015 artsdepot London, Asia 2016

The Snow Dragon - UK Tour Autumn 2015

The Snail and the Whale - Xmas 2015 Jacksons Lane, London, Paris 2016

The Gruffalo's Child - Xmas 2015 Warwick Arts Centre, UK Tour 2016

Segerstrom Center's Education Programs

Segerstrom Center's Education and Community Programs Department offers a variety of programs to students from elementary school through the university level, teachers, arts administrators and individuals who simply want to broaden their own experiences but not in a structure that is strictly academic. These programs achieve two especially important objectives. First, they develop the audiences of the future.

Second, they integrate the arts into the standard curriculum and enhance learning, creative thinking, cognitive and social skills. The Education and Community Programs Department works hand-in-hand with a number of boards of education, providing support and assistance to ensure the success and effectiveness of the Center's programs.

The popular Family Series engages, enchants and inspires youngsters with the magic of live performance. International artists combine music, dance and theater that can be enjoyed by the entire family, creating experiences that instill an appreciation for the arts and create lifelong memories.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts is an acclaimed arts institution and as well as a beautiful multi- disciplinary cultural campus. It is committed to supporting artistic excellence on all of its stages, offering unsurpassed experiences, and to engaging the entire community in new and exciting ways through the unique power of live performance and a diverse array of inspiring programs.

Previously called the Orange County Performing Arts Center, Segerstrom Center is Orange County's largest non-profit arts organization. In addition to its six performance venues, Segerstrom Center is also home to the American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School, where students ages 3 - 14 are taught by acclaimed teachers utilizing the renowned ABT National Training Curriculum in studios utilized by the world's greatest dancers and choreographers.

The Center presents a broad range of programming for audiences of all ages, including international ballet and dance, national tours of top Broadway shows, intimate performances of jazz and cabaret, contemporary artists, classical music performed by renowned chamber orchestras and ensembles, family- friendly programming, free performances open to the public from outdoor movie screenings to dancing on the plaza and many other special events.

The Center's arts-in-education programs are designed to inspire young people through the arts and reach hundreds of thousands of students each year. In addition to the presenting and producing institution Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the 14-acre campus also embraces the facilities of two independent acclaimed organizations: Tony Award®-winning South Coast Repertory and a site designated as the future home of the Orange County Museum of Art.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts is also proud to serve as the artistic home to three of the region's major performing arts organizations: Pacific Symphony, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County and the Pacific Chorale, who contribute greatly to the artistic life of the region with annual seasons at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

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