WHAT: Report on and attend the national touring production of the play “To Kill a Mockingbird,” part of PNC Broadway in Louisville’s current season.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: JUNE 2, 2023
Yaegel T. Welch (“Tom Robinson”), Stephen Elrod, Jacqueline Williams (“Calpurnia”) and Richard Thomas (“Atticus Finch”) in "To Kill a Mockingbird." Photo by Julieta Cervantes. Courtesy PNC Broadway in Louisville.
BACKGROUND: Critics deliberated, and audiences came in droves to see how writer Aaron Sorkin had adapted Harper Lee’s classic 1960 novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” after his new staged retelling opened on Broadway in late 2018. Gone was the heroic and contemplative liberator of a lawyer Atticus Finch who proclaims, “There’s good in everyone.”
Instead, Sorkin — the writer behind the films “The Social Network” and “Molly's Game” and the television shows “The West Wing” and “The Newsroom” — expanded the character of Atticus and those around him.
Now Arts Angle Vantage invites teens (sophomores, juniors and seniors) to register to report on "To Kill a Mockingbird" as PNC Broadway in Louisville brings it to The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. Sessions include interviews with cast and crew members.
Sorkin had written plays before that went to Broadway. But this was his biggest hit.
Montage of scenes from "To Killl a Mockingbird" by Aaron Sorkin. Courtesy PNC Broadway in Louisville.
While set a half-century ago, this timely story contends with deeply entrenched racism and a Black man who is wrongly accused. As lawyer Atticus defends Tom Robinson in this courthouse drama, the people of the small town around him hold larger voices, including Robinson and Atticus’s household maid Calpurnia.
And, of course, Atticus’ young daughter Scout is also very present. She has her own questions as he tries to steer her in understanding ideas of justice, human behavior and opposing evil.
WHEN & WHERE Virtual Sessions (see times below)
“TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD” Workshop
• Young Reporters' Workshop I * — Monday, June 5, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
• Young Reporters' Workshop II * — Monday, June 12, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
• Young Reporters' Workshop III * — Wednesday, June 14, 4 to 6 p.m.
• “To Kill a Mockingbird” Performance — Tuesday, June 20, 6:45 p.m. | Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, Whitney Hall, 501 W. Main St. (Performance begins at 7:30 p.m.)
• Group Reflections * — Wednesday, June 21, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
• Young Reporters' One-on-One Edits * — June 23-27 (scheduled individually)
Richard Thomas (“Atticus Finch”) and Melanie Moore (“Scout Finch”). Photo by Julieta Cervantes. Courtesy PNC Broadway in Louisville.
WORKSHOP CONTENT & LOGISTICS
• Pre-performance sessions cover:
— Adapting literature to the Broadway stage, finding and pitching a story idea, conducting interviews, and constructing your article.
— Interviewing cast and crew members of "To Kill a Mockingbird"
— Time for participants to discuss theater, writing and viewpoints.
• A post-performance session includes discussions and participants' sharing of initial draft paragraphs as part of the writing process.
• Articles will appear online in a partner publication, provided participants complete the requirements.
• Only 5 spots are available in each workshop. (Each spot comes with a ticket for the reporter and their/her/his accompanying adult.)
ABOUT US: Our FREE program for young writers has presented opportunities to teens to see and write about many productions including "Hamilton," "Mean Girls" and "Aladdin" to give young people access to the arts and a voice in public service journalism covering arts and issues in their community.
Comments