Young Auditorium receives Big Read grant from National Endowment of the Arts
Released: June 17, 2008
The Big Read is coming to the Young Auditorium thanks to a $13,000 National Endowment for the Arts grant. The Big Read is a nationwide program of 208 organizations that come together to read, discuss and celebrate one of 23 selections from American and world literature. Other cities participating in The Big Read include Phoenix reading "The Maltese Falcon;" Los Angeles reading "Bless Me, Ultima;" Omaha, Neb. reading "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer;" New York reading "The Thief and the Dogs;" and Chicago reading "Fahrenheit 451."
The Young Auditorium's Big Read will focus on author Harper Lee's book, "To Kill A Mockingbird." Outreach activities are planned for April 2009 in Jefferson, Milton, Fort Atkinson, Lake Geneva, East Troy and Elkhorn.
"By bringing The Big Read to southeastern Wisconsin, we’ll be highlighting the important role that the arts and literacy play in a thriving community," Young Auditorium Director Ken Kohberger said. "We're excited to have The Big Read conclude with a performance of 'To Kill A Mockingbird' by the Montana Repertory Theatre. We welcome schools, libraries and groups involved with youth and literacy efforts to join us for this ambitious undertaking."
As a Big Read site, the Young Auditorium receives a $13,000 grant to promote and carry out community-based reading programs featuring book discussions, lectures, movie screenings and performing arts events. Young Auditorium events will include a town and city challenge and Mockpardy! high school Jeopardy!-like regional competition.
For more information on The Big Read and the Young Auditorium's involvement, contact Ben Strand, director of advancement for the Young Auditorium, at 262-472-6224 or strandb@uww.edu.
- Melissa DiMotto,dimottom@uww.edu
