Improv Playhouse presents 'Ranger Tales' at schools and libraries

Improv Playhouse Theater has recently contracted a nationally recognized library system for its Young Audiences outreach performance programming.

The professional theater company and training center, based out of Libertyville, has been developing educational outreach presentations for libraries, schools and day cares for several years through its Theater for Young Audiences division. Most recently, Improv Playhouse established a relationship with the Chicago Public Library System to develop "Ranger Tales: True Stories from America's National Parks." Their ensembles of actors are touring the shows throughout the city and with regional libraries, camps and schools until early fall.

"Improv Playhouse devised this original piece specifically for (Chicago Public Library's) summer learning theme, Earth Explorers," Improv Playhouse Founder and Executive Director David Brian Stuart said. "We kicked off the tour at Libertyville's Cook Memorial Library and have swept the geography of the city during the summer."

The original show is based on real life events that have occurred in America's diverse park system. Audiences will discover stories and facts they've never known in this funny and educational anthology exploring The Great Smokey Mountains, Yellowstone, The Everglades, Hawaiian Volcanoes and more.

"The actors, who are, by the way, really gifted with young audiences, are costumed as National Park Rangers," Stuart said. "They retell and recreate the historical National Park stories through the arts of theater, storytelling, puppetry, and music. The Harold Washington Library show was a blast with our largest audience. For many students, this may be their only exposure to the vast array of America's park systems, so we provide a learning guide filled with activities, context, and suggested reading material to further engage students before and after the performance. Children discover how their everyday choices influence and affect the greater natural environment. It's just perfect for students ages 2- to 10-years-old or grades K-5 and the adults in audience get a kick out of too."

In 2014, Improv Playhouse introduced its Theatre for Young Audiences as a part of its Community Outreach and Education program, with several performances of "The Diary of Anne Frank" and "Peter and the Wolf." The program was created to present classic and original theater for children and families through imaginative storytelling that inspires, challenges, and enriches the community and the classroom.

"IP-TYA is committed to producing a variety of unique, interactive programs," Stuart said. "We engage the medium of theater to bring classic folk tales to life and have intentionally developed supplemental materials that incorporate the STEAM initiative which provides activities and ideation for teachers to utilize both before and after presentations. Educators love us as a supplement to their required reading programs. We've reached over 60,000 students in this program. This fall we are introducing 'The Giver' to our partner school districts for junior high students. It's a 1993 American young adult dystopian novel by Lois Lowry."

Another summer Theater for Young Audiences show touring the schools for young children is the organization's musical version of "The Ugly Duckling." The duckling is born in the Lincoln Park Zoo and journeys on a path of self-discovery, meeting all sorts of wacky zoo animals along the way. Students will learn valuable lessons about respect, friendship, and identity.

"This run of 'Ugly Duckling' will transition to our rendition of 'Chicken Little,' where kids will learn the value of raising their voice in a time when nobody is sure what to believe. We really make every effort to remain developmentally appropriate and relevant for all of our target students and educators," Stuart said.

Improv Playhouse offices are located at 116 W. Lake Street, Libertyville. For information about Improv Playhouse Theater and its Theater for Young Audiences or Training Center, visit improvplayhouse.com or call (847) 968-4529.