Presented in partnership by Festival Theatre and St. Croix Falls Public Library.
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to revitalize the role of literary reading in popular American culture. Communities all the across the country choose from a list of 30 literary works, giving citizens, colleagues, students, & families, the opportunity to read, discuss and celebrate a single book--together.
One author, two Pulitzer prize-winning literary works and three northwoods counties make up the St. Croix River Valley Big Read. Exciting community projects, noteworthy speakers and our own Our Town on stage will bring Polk, Burnett (WI) and Chisago (MN) together for meaningful exchange. Join in the Big Read with Thornton Wilder’s Bridge of San Luis Rey and Our Town!
“Capture
Our Town”
Photojournalism
Exhibit
February
27th, 2010 • 2-5 pm
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
Visitor Center, St. Croix Falls, WI
David Rhodes, award-winning Wisconsin novelist in Kick off
Address, 2 pm
Photojournalism
Exhibit Unveiling and BIG READ-ception, following kick-off address until
5 pm
•
Photojournalism Exhibit unveiled (Open through March 31st).
• Meet Josephine Reed, NEA Big Read representative.
• Book-Give-Away! Take home copies of Bridge of San Luis Rey and
Our Town!
• Storytelling from the Big Read for Young Readers Companion List.Interactive
games and Bridge Building contest for kids!
• Meet the cast and crew of Festival Theatre’s Big Read production
of Our Town.
“Capture
Our Town”
A
Photojournalism Project
Youth, amateur and professional photographers from the St. Croix River Valley Big Read area are invited to submit story-rich photos that capture our valley’s history as it still exists in modern everyday life. Project information and guidelines available online or by contacting a Big Read core committee member.
Submissions of photos taken June 25th through December 31, 2009 currently being accepted. Download guidelines and register here. Deadline for submission: December 31, 2009.
“Life
of the Village”
A
Readers Theatre Event
March
14th, 2010 • 2 pm
Festival Theatre, St. Croix Falls ,WI
•
Jean Feraca, Wisconsin Public Radio Host of Radio Without
Borders, will provide the keynote address with readings
from her award-winning memoir I Hear Voices including discussion on the
writing of a memoir and her time spent in Peru.
• Dramatized oral histories from the “Your
Town, A Living History” project will be performed in a Reader’s
Theatre setting.
“Your
Town, A Living History”
An
Oral History Project
Everyone has a story. Recording our history is important work! Students and community members are invited to work with senior citizens to gather, archive and share these St. Croix River Valley tales. Take advantage of “Literature to the Stage,” Workshop on October 17th to learn the basics of gathering stories and the advanced skills of oral interpretation. Project information and guidelines available online or by contacting a Big Read core committee member.
Oral History submissions accepted through December 31, 2009.
Download Oral History Project
guidelines here.
Oral
Interview History Tips
Download information on bringing Our Town to your school here.
Educators & the Big Read
Students, Families and Faculty will enjoy participation in the Big Read with excellent resources from the NEA and the St. Croix River Valley Big Read.
•
”Literature to the Stage” Educator Workshop,
October 17th, 2009. To register, contact Festival Theatre box office,
715-483-3387.
• Drama in the Northwoods—Thornton Wilder
Instructor, Dr. Carolyn Wedin
Frederic
High School, Mondays 6:30-9:00, October 19-November 23, 2009
Contact Ann Fawver,
Director of Community Education, Frederic Schools. 715-327-4868
fawvera@frederic.k12.wi.us
Osceola
High School, Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00, October 20-November 23, 2009
Contact Dani Pratt,
Director of Community Education, Osceola School District.
715-294-2127 ext. 407
or comed@osceola.k12.wi.us
• Classroom Study Guide intertwines universal themes from both literary pieces.
• Classroom Book Kits contain copies of the novel and play. Available upon request from St. Croix Falls Public Library.
• Theatre Arts Study Component to supplement and enrich the viewing of live theatre is available to classrooms through Festival Theatre. Customized programming and arrangements by request.
• Big Read for Young Readers Companion List compiles thematic reading for emerging, early readers and family reading. For information on the Big Read in your classroom, contact Amy Klein at 715-483-3387 or groups@festivaltheatre.org.
JOIN
the Big Read!
GATHER: Book Group Leader Training Guide provides tips to facilitate an enriching book circle in your neighborhood, workplace or group of friends :: Literature Discussion Guide
READ: Book Discussion Tool Kits available at all community libraries contain copies of Bridge of San Luis Rey and Our Town. Pass these books along to others in our Read and Release program.
EXPLORE: Drama in the Northwoods, an in-depth study of Thornton Wilder’s literature. Community Eduation Courses in Osceola and Frederic locations. See registration above.
VOLUNTEER: Are you interested in preserving the historic images and stories of your community? Are you skilled at writing, typing, organizing or speaking? We have rewarding opportunities for you! Contact Amy Klein to lend your volunteer services for the Big Read, 715-483-3387 or groups@festivaltheatre.org
Big Read Core Committee Contacts:
Amy
Klein, Project Coordinator / groups@festivaltheatre.org
Danette Olsen, Executive Director /
info@festivaltheatre.org
Festival Theatre, 210 N. Washington Street, St. Croix Falls, WI 54024
1-888-887-6002, www.festivaltheatre.org
Sarah Adams, Library Director / scflibrary@ifls.lib.wi.us
St. Croix Falls Public Library, 230 S. Washington Street, St. Croix Falls,
54024 715-483-1777,
www.stcroixfallslibrary.org
Dr.
Carolyn Wedin, Literary Consultant / carolynwedin@centurytel.net
11080 State
Road 48, Frederic, WI 54837 715-327-8463
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The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.