After months and years of work, we are officially announcing the commencement of Seanchai EXPLORE and are pleased to introduce you to our first commissioning partner:
Tacoma Little Theatre
Here is the press release on the project that went live today:
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE GREAT GATSBY: TLT
REDEFINING “EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH”
Tacoma, WA- Tacoma Little Theatre is taking a
key step in redefining its educational mission, with the trial of a new program
which will be part of its upcoming production of Simon Levy’s stage adaptation
of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great
Gatsby.
Teachers can use the performing arts a
relevant tool to enliven their classroom curriculum. This is an essential component of every performing
arts company’s mission. Tacoma Little Theatre (TLT) produces e
ducational
programming in the form of special weekday performances reserved specifically
for schools. These productions are taken
from its main stage season. Such
programs come with curricular materials to assist the teachers in connecting
their class time focus with the in-theater experience. For TLT’s production of
The Great Gatsby, these materials will be realized in an exciting three
dimensional format available to educators and members of the community.
TLT is partnering with Seanchai Library, an
organization specializing in spoken word presentations of literature in
immersive virtual environments, to create a computer simulation based on The Great Gatsby. This simulation will be accessible to the
general public via the internet, and will feature interactive links to resource
materials on the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and the influences reflected in
the featured work. It will also spotlight
TLT itself, showcasing its 97 year history of building community through
creating theater.
“Our patrons are always interested in the
stories behind the plot,” said TLT Managing Artistic Director Chris Serface,
“the themes and cultural influences that drive the plays. We want to blow the
box completely open and make this kind of information available to more than
just educators. I want to make it
possible for anyone who wants to see the play to explore the literature fully
to enhance their play-going experience.” Serface added, “I am excited to see
what Seanchai Library will create for us.”
With the download of a free viewing program, EXPLORE Gatsby will be an Educational
Study Guide brought to three dimensional life.
Patrons will walk through the world of Fitzgerald’s novel using an
avatar, and click on objects that link to information about the period and
social issues (represented in) the work. They can also participate
in discussions, and enjoy live presentations of the source text by accessing EXPLORE Gatsby from the comfort of their
homes.
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