The cast of “Pete the Cat” will bring the popular children’s book to life on local school stages as part of the Ogdensburg Command Performances Youtheatre: Class Acts series.

OGDENSBURG — Ogdensburg Command Performances Youtheatre: Class Acts will present a broad spectrum of artistic excellence in live, professional children’s theater this season with six productions, a total of 24 matinees, in four school districts — Gouverneur, Massena, Ogdensburg, and Salmon River.  

This unique experience is available to all students in grades PreK through 12 who attend area public and parochial schools, as well as those that are homeschooled.  

“Pete the Cat,” for grades preK-2, opens the season at Ogdensburg Free Academy on Sept. 26, Gouverneur Central Sept. 27, and Salmon River Sept. 28.  Based on the popular books by famous author and illustrator James Dean.

“From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler” [grades 3-6] will be staged at OFA Oct. 4 and Massena Central Oct. 5. K.L. Konigsburg’s Newbery Medal-winning book celebrates its 35th Anniversary in a funny, compelling musical about a brother and sister who find themselves in the middle of a mystery and end up face-to-face with someone who could change their lives forever.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” [grades 7 - 12] will hit the stage at Massena Central Oct. 10, Salmon River Central Oct. 11, OFA Oct. 12, and Gouverneur Central Oct. 13. Each performance includes a post-show conversation with the cast.

“Harriett Tubman and the Underground Railroad” [grades 7 - 12] will be presented at OFA March 12. This stirring drama is a classic tribute to the courageous American who freed herself and hundreds of her people from the bonds of slavery, changing the world forever. 

“Otherwise Known As Sheila the Great” [grades 3 - 6] will be presented at Salmon River Central March 21, Gouverneur Central March 22, and OFA March 23.  Sheila Tubman, otherwise known as Sheila the Great comes of age by facing her fears in this lively and poignant musical based on Judy Blume’s popular and insightful book.

Finally, “Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat” [grades preK - 2] will be staged at OFA May 14 and Massena Central May 15. 

Youtheatre performances meet New York State Learning Standards for English, Social Studies, and the Arts (theater, dance, and music).  

To enable students to fully appreciate the performances, teachers are encouraged to incorporate the study guides into their curriculum.

Brochures are distributed to all area schools. If your school has not received brochures in the past, contact the OCP office at 315-393-2625, or emailocp@ogdensburgk12.org. Visit www.ILoveTheatre.org for additional information.

The 2017-18 Youtheatre: Class Acts Season is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.