March 13, 2008 issue
Cows Don’t Fly and Other Known Facts at ASU March 28 to 30
Story by Anna Oakes
Each year, the Appalachian Young People’s Theatre, comprised of Appalachian State University students, presents a play for children in conjunction with Theatre in Our Schools Month in March.
From Friday to Saturday, March 28 to 30, the Young People’s Theatre will perform its touring production of Cows Don’t Fly and Other Known Facts for the public and campus community at the I.G. Greer Studio Theatre on the ASU campus. The play begins at 7:00 p.m. Friday and at 2:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Cows Don’t Fly is a play adapted by Vivian and Larry Snipes from three children’s books by Paul Brett Johnson: The Cow Who Wouldn’t Come Down, The Pig Who Ran a Red Light and The Goose Who Went Off in a Huff. Johnson was raised in the mountains of Kentucky.
“The stories have a real Appalachian cultural feel to them,” said Teresa Lee, artistic director of the Young People’s Theatre.
The play takes place at Miss Rosemary’s farm, where ordinary animals have unusual ideas. Gertrude the Cow wants to play the piano. George the Pig wants to drive a tractor. And Miss Rosemary wants to join the circus.
“In Paul Brett Johnson’s delightful stories, ordinary characters on a seemingly ordinary day decide to do something unexpected,” Lee said. “For that reason, these stories are fun and exciting material for a play adaptation.”
The Young People’s Theatre uses simple sets, props, costumes and audience participation to bring Johnson’s stories to life.
The cast includes ASU students Alli Senger, Kyle Norman, Lacey Jane Mauney, Brian Chavez, Sarah Burns and Tom Brigham. The production staff includes Hannah Roten, Jordan Fleming and Ellis Lindsay. The Young People’s Theatre is mostly composed of theatre, theatre education and design students, but students of any major can participate.
Appalachian Young People’s Theatre began in 1972 as part of the ASU Department of Theatre and Dance curriculum. The company produces low-cost live theatre for up to 6,500 young students in western North Carolina schools, largely in rural areas. It also provides teachers with materials and lesson plans for incorporating theatre in the classroom. The 2008 tour of schools begins on Thursday, March 20.
Last weekend, the Young People’s Theatre performed Cows Don’t Fly at an invitational festival at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Chattanooga, Tenn. Also at the conference were the Watauga High School Playmakers, who represented North Carolina in a high school play competition.
“Watauga County was well represented this year at SETC,” Lee said.
Admission to see Cows Don’t Fly at I.G. Greer is $5. For more information, call 828-262-3028.
Want To Go?
Date: Friday to Sunday, March 28 to 30
Time: 7:00 p.m. Friday/2:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Location: I.G. Greer Studio Theatre, ASU
Cost: $5
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