"Keeping Mr. Lincoln" In Performance at ACT

The Academy of Children’s Theatre is performing a provocative production of “Keeping Mr. Lincoln” for local audiences, and then taking the show on the road to Getttsburg in June to participate in a youth theatre competition in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 

The show performs on February 15 and 22 at 7 p.m.  Matinee performances are scheduled at 3 p.m. on February 15, 17, 18 (President’s Day), 23 and 24.   

Tickets are now available on line at www.academyofchildrenstheatre.org, by calling 509-943-6027, or by visiting the ACT office.  Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors (65+) and youth (13-18), and $10 for children ages 12 and under. 

This engaging and timely production of “Keeping Mr. Lincoln” presents the story of Abraham Lincoln from a modern perspective.  Playwright Sandra Fenichel Ashe created an innovative play that allows youth actors, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, or ethnicity, to take turns playing Abraham Lincoln and important people in his Kentucky childhood, Indiana youth, Illinois and Washington, D.C. time periods.  According to director Josh Darby, the play focuses on telling stories about Lincoln through the eyes of the youth of 2019 America.  The play is structured to give youth’s contemporary issues, world, and points of view a voice that is guided by the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.

The four student actors portraying Abraham Lincoln are Paris Nichols, a ninth grader at Hanford High; Niko Theriault, an 8th grader at Mid-Columbia Partnership; Cleopatra Howell, a 12th grader at Kamiakin; and Tayler Riley, an 11th grader at Tri-Tech. 
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For the first time ever, ACT will take a production on the road to participate in the 2019 American Association of Community Theatre Youth Fest in June. ACT is one of only four youth acting groups across the country who were invited to participate in the festival. The students will perform the show in Gettysburg, just miles away from where Lincoln gave his Gettysburg address.  The cast and crew of 19 ACT participants and 3 chaperones will comprise the traveling group to the festival. Fundraising to cover the travel expenses to Gettysburg are currently underway.  For more information, contact ACT at 509-943-6027 or email [email protected].