Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble’s Project Discovery School Matinees Filling Fast!

Over the past fourteen years, over 35,000 high school students in Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties have participated in the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble’s Project Discovery program. Next month, thousands more will attend matinees scheduled for BTE’s upcoming production of You Can’t Take It With You.

To date, the following high schools and Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 16 programs have signed up to bring students to special Project Discovery school matinees scheduled in October and November:

• Line Mountain H.S.
• Southern Columbia H.S.
• Millville H.S.
• Danville H.S.
• Bloomsburg H.S.
• Berwick H.S.
• CSIU Alpha Circle
• Ashler Manor
• Selinsgrove H.S.
• Shamokin H.S.

High schools in the CSIU 16 not currently participating in Project Discovery, Warrior Run, Shikellamy, Central Columbia, Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School, Benton and Milton, are urged to include their students in this one-of-a-kind arts education experience.

Now in its fifteenth year, Project Discovery, a unique partnership between artists, educators, and businesses, combines live theatre and dramatic literature into an exciting educational experience at no ticket cost to the schools or the students. Project Discovery is open to all 10th, 11th, and 12th graders in the five counties of the CSIU 16. Funded entirely by area businesses and corporations, Project Discovery serves as an outstanding manifestation of BTE’s mission to be an active participant in the community and a leader in arts education for young people.

From its inception, educators have applauded Project Discovery. Prior to attending their matinee, teachers receive a comprehensive online Study Guide to aid them in incorporating the play and its issues into their classes. After the performance, student audiences engage in lively “Meet the Cast” discussions with the theatre’s artists and technicians.

Project Discovery represents but a part of BTE’s commitment to arts education. Founded in 1978, the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble is a nonprofit professional ensemble of artists working throughout the year to produce and teach theatre that responds to the needs of the communities in which they live.

Public and private high schools within the five counties served by Project Discovery can obtain more information by calling BTE School Programs Director, Paula Henry at 458-4075 or by e-mail at phenry@bte.org.

The 2007-2008 season celebrates the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble’s 30th year of bringing exciting, professional theatre to Pennsylvania’s Northeast and beyond. To find out more about BTE, its educational programs and the current season, please visit the website at www.bte.org or call the administrative offices at (570) 784-5530.