TAM 2018 Page To Stage Celebrates The Wit And Wisdom Of Fables in AESOP'S GUIDE TO FRIENDSHIP

Theater at Monmouth continues its long-standing tradition of providing access to arts education for young people in Maine with its annual Page to Stage tour. TAM has provided literature-based education programs in schools and community centers since the Theater's founding. Education Tours make adaptations of classic literature accessible to a geographically and economically diverse audience. "The live performance is something students don't see often anymore," said 4th grade teacher Pamela Prescott of Belgrade Central School. "[Attending a] performance of classic literature is a great connector to the classroom." Jolene Libby, 1st grade teacher at Turner Primary School said, "I believe it to be a real and authentic experience that students might not experience otherwise."

From April 23 through May 25 TAM will bring classic literature alive for students across the state. Developed for grades pre-k to 8, TAM's Page to Stage Tour will bring a world-premiere adaptation, Aesop's Guide to Friendship to elementary and middle schools across the state from Berwick to Fort Kent, and Rangeley to Machias. Aesop's delightful fables full of wit and wisdom let the animals do the talking--dispensing lessons on perseverance, kindness, and friendship along the way. Aesop's Guide to Friendship explores age-old stereotypes such as "tortoise are slow," "hares are quick," "foxes are clever" to help young and old alike focus on ways to be better friends, neighbors, and citizens. Aesop uses the qualities and natural tendencies of animals to help students appreciate their similarities and differences. TAM's adaptation playfully examines stereotypes and behaviors that are helpful or harmful to friendships.Through activities and discussions before and after the performance, students explore ways to take responsibility for their actions and become both confident and caring.

Portland-based actor and director Ian Carlsen returns to Theater at Monmouth to direct this production. Ian helmed the 2015 Summer Repertory Season Family Show Fool of the World and the Flying Ship, and has appeared as an actor in TAM Education Tours.

Aesop's Guide to Friendship features three versatile actors bringing a host of mythical animals to life: John Dalton Logan, Heather Elizabeth Irish and Eunice Akinola. Set design by Stacey Koloski, costume design by Elizabeth Rocha, and lighting design by Jim Alexander. For more information on how to bring Aesop's Guide to Friendship to your school or your students to a performance in Cumston Hall, visit www.theateratmonmouth.org/education/educationtours or call the Box Office at 207.933.9999.

Theater at Monmouth, founded in 1970, was named the Shakespearean Theater of Maine by the State Legislature in 1975. The theatre's mission is to present innovative approaches to Shakespeare and other classic plays through professional productions that enrich the lives of people throughout Maine. Since its founding, TAM has produced expertly crafted, engaging productions in its three-month Summer Repertory Season entertaining audiences from 36 states and through Education Tours annually reaching more than 15,000 students statewide.

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