LOS ANGELES -- Working on a grant from USC Neighborhood Outreach, the 24th Street Theatre and Glorious Repertory Company will launch, on Sept. 26, an ambitious 16-program series aimed at redefining children's theatre in this city.
The Saturday Explorer Series will run every Saturday through the fall and will offer a variety of free entertainment aimed at introducing "children to new worlds they've never dreamed of. The aim is to help them learn how to explore their own external and internal lives," said a company spokesperson. "Although a special effort will be made to involve children from disadvantaged programs, all children are welcome to travel along."
Among the events slated are an International Youth Theatre symposium (Sept. 26 at USC's Bing Theatre); L.A.'s first International Youth Theatre Festival (June 1999 at USC and Exposition Park); a celebration of the Day of the Dead (Oct. 31, 1998 at 24th St.); and The Five Senses, a performance piece by Jackie Planeix and Tom Crocker of Blue Palm which uses wit, words and wacky dances to explore the senses of smell, touch, taste, hearing and sight" (10/10/98 at 24th St.).
Some of the other performers appearing in the series include Jude Narita, Rob Bowers, Jim Gamble, Bridget Hanley and Heidi Duckler, among others.
Part One of the Explorer Series will run through Dec. 19, 1998. Performance times are every Saturday at 1 PM. Admission is free but reservations are required; call (213) 745-6516. For Symposium/Festival information call (818) 753-8040 or visit home.earthlink.net/"socalfest. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent