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Next round of Ogdensburg Command Performances Youtheatre: Class Acts program announced

Posted 1/14/25

OGDENSBURG – A new round of youth-oriented educational and entertaining stage performance is coming back to North Country schools in April as part of Ogdensburg Command Performances Youtheatre: …

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Next round of Ogdensburg Command Performances Youtheatre: Class Acts program announced

Posted

OGDENSBURG – A new round of youth-oriented educational and entertaining stage performance is coming back to North Country schools in April as part of Ogdensburg Command Performances Youtheatre: Class Acts program.

For decades now the Ogdensburg Command Performance-driven award-winning artistic endeavor has presented a broad spectrum of award winning live, professional children’s theater at local school auditoriums during the academic day. Each program features illuminating and inspiring theatrical performances about literature, music, and history while pulling back the curtain on the creative process.

The Youtheatre: Class Acts series was created in 1992 to introduce North Country students to the magic of live theater as they watch historical and literary characters come to life, thus establishing a love of reading.

This April the long-running creative and educational experience will continue when performances are once again offered to elementary and high school students from every school district in St. Lawrence County and students from surrounding counties, according to OCP Administrator Sally F. Palao.

“Youtheatre is a program our board is very proud of, and a program that we hope continues forever here in the north country,” said Mrs. Palao.

She said Youtheatre performances meet New York State Learning Standards for English, Social Studies, and the Arts, and that the learning benefits for students are bolstered even more when teachers incorporate included study guides into their curriculum.

“Data from the National Endowment for the Arts has repeatedly supported the concept that exposure to the arts not only has an academic impact on youth but also correlates directly to achievement later in life,” Mrs. Palao said. “Simply put, children who have high levels of exposure to arts and arts-based learning show more positive outcomes in a variety of areas.”

Here are the Youtheatre: Class Acts shows that will be presented at the Ogdensburg and Gouverneur school districts, which are serving as host venues this year.

How To Survive Middle School (grades 4-8)

  • April 1, 2025 – Ogdensburg – 9:15 and 11 a.m.
  • April 2, 2025 - Gouverneur – 9:30 a.m.

The multimedia performance deals with real-life issues that affect students, including social media, testing, bullying and peer pressure in a compelling, funny and educational show.

The Mayhem Poets (grades 9-12)

  • April 7, 2025 – Ogdensburg 9:15 a.m.
  • April 8, 2025 - Gouverneur – 9:00 a.m.

Utilizing their unique brand of verbal mayhem, these performers specialize in transforming a young person’s tepid enthusiasm for the English language into a passion and love for using words.

Charlotte’s Web (grades preK-3)

April 14, 2025 – Ogdensburg – 9:15 and 11:00 a.m.

April 15, 2025 – Gouverneur – 10:00 a.m.

Based on E.B. White’s timeless story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte, this treasured tale, featuring madcap and endearing farm animals, explores bravery, selfless love and the true meaning of friendship.