(PHOENIX, Ariz., April 12, 2004)— Elementary school students ages four to eight will watch storybooks come to life this spring during Phoenix College’s 14th annual Storybook Stagecoach. This interactive play is anticipated yearly by children, teachers and parents not only for its unquestionable entertainment, but also for its educational benefit.

Storybook Stagecoach originated as a low-budget communication activity for Phoenix College students and has turned into a must-see play requiring reservations one year in advance. With its increasing popularity, Storybook Stagecoach is attended by more than 2,200 students, teachers and parents from the surrounding community each year.

Every Spring semester, Storybook Stagecoach (a one credit communication course) opens up to the first 12 Phoenix College students who register for it. They spend the entire semester collaborating on how to turn three storybooks into plays, using limited props and costumes. The students’ hard work and dedication is rewarded when they perform the stories for elementary school students at the end of the semester.

Focusing on education and entertainment, Storybook Stagecoach serves a dual purpose for all involved. Phoenix College students learn the art of public speaking, develop their acting skills, communicate with teachers, fellow students and children and act as ambassadors to the Phoenix College campus. Children who attend the Storybook Stagecoach learn the importance of literacy, interact and have fun with books, and gain valuable exposure to a college campus.

"For some young children, college may as well be Mars," said Liz O’Brien, Phoenix College Communication, American Sign Language, Theater & Film Department Chair and Director of Storybook Stagecoach. "The earlier you can get a child on a college campus, the more of a reality college becomes for them."

During their visit to Phoenix College, the children eat lunch on the grass outside the library and take a campus tour, led by Storybook Stagecoach actors and actresses. As tour guides, the college students interact with the children by comparing and contrasting the Phoenix College campus to the children’s elementary school campus. By doing this, children can see that college has essentially the same structure as any other school, with teachers, classrooms, a library and a cafeteria, thereby demystifying the potentially intimidating concept of "college."

Storybook Stagecoach has become highly successful throughout the years. The show is interactive, focusing on child participation and imagination as opposed to props and costumes. Minimal visual stimulation allows for the child’s imagination to take over, showing them that books can be for more than just reading.

This year’s playbill includes Caps for Sale, Baghead and Rolie Polie Olie. All performances conclude with the children making a promise to themselves: "I promise, that when I go home tonight, I will read a book, or have someone read one to me. I promise."

Storybook Stagecoach is open to any interested elementary school class looking for a free, unique field trip experience. Elementary schools that have participated in the past include Encanto, Carol G. Peck, Sevilla, Bethune, Barcelona, Granada, Catalina, Montebello, Westwood, Camelback Desert and First Baptist Children’s Center. Because of its high demand and limited stage time, O’Brien recommends reserving a space one-year in advance.

The Storybook Stagecoach is sponsored by the department of Communication, American Sign Language, Theatre & Film at Phoenix College. Performances are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 6 to May 6 from 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. in the John Paul Theater. For more information, please call (602) 285-7313.

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