Award-Winning Youth Theatre, Gov. Candidate Outspoken About School Violence

PRLog (Press Release) - Oct 16, 2009 -
Three years ago on a bright October morning, the attention of the world was focused on a one room Amish school house in Lancaster, PA. What started out as an ordinary day quickly changed to a tale of terror at the hands of a madman. Schools are meant to be places of learning and this was no exception. Only the curriculum of reading, writing, and arithmetic quickly changed to lessons in strength, forgiveness, and love that would be taught to the world that day and for days to come by a handful of Amish students and their surviving families. Thus starts the opening of “Lancaster,” a Bennett Academy Performing Arts Theatre production original, which has its world premiere this month.

Bennett Academy Performing Arts Theatre is a youth theatre that started out as a class and has grown to a fully fledged theatre company. Since its beginning, it has won numerous awards including the AriZoni award for best original children’s show for the 2001-2002 season, and third in the nation with NBC and the Keiser Foundation for a program on teen pregnancy awareness.

On Saturday, October 17th at 6:00 p.m. the Bennett Academy is hosting a joint press conference with Arizona gubernatorial candidate, John Paul Mitchell. He is joining the charter school’s founder Dr. Bennett, director Jim Hyte, and the play’s cast to address the issue of school violence. Mitchell is a fresh face in Arizona politics and firmly believes it is our responsibility to ensure the safety of every child’s life.

A number of Mitchell’s supporters are parents with children enrolled in Arizona public and charter schools. He learned of the “Lancaster” public performances this week, approaching the school to host a press conference to focus public awareness on school violence. “School shootings are more prevalent than ever,” Mitchell said. “The Lancaster theatre production is a sobering way to remind parents, teachers, and residents about these tragic events. I hope people will attend, share this story with others, and work on solutions to make sure it doesn’t happen in our state.”

“Lancaster” is the story of the Amish school shootings that happened three years ago on October 2nd. People have asked “…how can you do a children’s show on the Amish shootings?” Anyone attending who is expecting to see a blood bath on stage will be greatly disappointed. The show is made terrifying through use of digital video and sound effects along with the live action on stage. The audience never sees blood, the killer, or a gun. This is a show about the strength of young people.

The mission of the theatre company is to expose young people to live performance of stories that have a positive reflection in today’s world.

Arizona residents can watch the play until its matinee finale on October 24th. All seats for performances are reserved. The admission is free. Donations toward costumes, program materials, and other miscellaneous items are accepted. Bennett Academy encourages theatre patrons to bring in a non-perishable donation for St. Mary’s Food Bank.

The press conference is available to all media, but due to limited space, journalists and broadcasters should contact the Bennett Academy for arrangements.

For show reservations, please call 602-943-1317 and a staff member will return a call to confirm your seating arrangements. The theatre is located at 2930 West Bethany Home Road on the Bennett Academy campus. For information on this and future productions please call Jim Hyte at 623-878-0177 or email at bpojim@yahoo.com.

ABOUT THE BENNETT PERFORMING ARTS THEATRE

Bennett Academy Performing Arts Theatre’s AriZoni award-winning story of the Holocaust, titled “Testament,” was seen by 3,000 patrons, becoming a part of the archives in the Simon Weisenthal Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. Shortly after the premiere of “Testament,” Bennett Academy was approached by Arizona State University to provide the young actors for their documentary of “Breaking the Bonds of Silence”; a film on child abuse. ASU had been impressed with the quality of young actors and cast them in all of the children’s parts, recreating the stories. “Testament” was also presented to a group in Sun City which included Holocaust survivors. It was praised for the accurate depiction of their story.

The driving force behind Bennett Academy Performing Arts Theatre is Jim Hyte who has been active in show business for the past 35 years. His experience ranges from writing and directing children’s shows for Ice Capades to work as a production designer in Hollywood. Hyte also worked with David Wo for over 6 years. During the early “The Barn” years of Theatre Works he was his technical director, and is currently resident director for Westbrook Village Players, and a professional actor with Arizona Performing Arts Theatre. He has received numerous AriZoni nominations as a writer, director, sound designer, and set designer.

Bennett Academy Performing Arts Theatre has a busy year ahead with productions of “The Gifts” (which was presented with Antwon Fisher at the Biltmore) in December, a revival of Testament” in February and “The Field Trip” in May. All are original works written by Mr. Hyte. The 2009-2010 theatre season opened with the world premiere of “Lancaster ” on October 14th. Arizona residents can watch the play until its finale on October 24th.