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Bright Star Children’s Theatre Performs at Hickory Public Library

Hickory Public Library invites children to a special event to commemorate Black History Month. Bright Star Children’s Theatre from Hendersonville will present “Heroes of the Underground Railroad,” a professional music and drama presentation. The free performance is Tuesday, February 13 th at 4:00 p.m. at Patrick Beaver Memorial Library. The program is recommended for children in 3 rd grade and above.

This unique theatrical experience combines traditional music and drama to honor the heroic figures of America's Underground Railroad - those Americans that dared to go against a nation in order to stand-up for what they knew was right. From Harriet Tubman and the Abolition Movement to Levi Coffin and the inspiring tale of Henry "Box" Brown, this play introduces the audience to those that bravely brought light to America's darkest chapter.  

Hickory Public Library hosted Bright Star Children’s Theatre last year, taking them into one elementary school for a special performance and a presentation at the library. This year the library will bring the theater group to all five Hickory elementary schools and host the free public performance at the library. The school performances are supported by a Grass Roots Arts Grant from the United Arts Council of Catawba County and the North Carolina Arts Council, with funding from the State of North Carolina and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Bright Star Children’s Theatre was co-founded by David Ostergaard and Karri Brantley to provide high caliber, professional theatre to young people, while offering educational works in an entertaining atmosphere . Ostergaard previously helped launch Moon Brought Blue Productions and worked with the NC Theatre for Young People. Brantly is a graduating member of the prestigious Second City Conservatory and a recognized actress. After working with a number of nationally known theatre companies, they launched their own children’s theater company.

Today the company serves almost 100,000 young people annually with professional, interactive productions that are entirely written and created by the company itself.  Sho ws are seen in professional theatres, libraries, museums and schools from Detroit to Atlanta, Indianapolis to Washington DC and every state in between.  The company has also expanded to offer a variety of residency programs, acting classes and theatre workshops. Most recently the company was invited by the venerable "Parkway Playhouse" to conduct its 2005 Youth Theatre Institute.

Patrick Beaver Memorial Library is located at 375 3 rd Street NE on the SALT Block. For information call 304-0500 ext. 249.