WTI Magazine #21    2014 Mar, 14
Author : Italytheatre      Translation by:

There is a new workshop for schools in town!
Created by italytheater, with the extraordinary partnership of the Fondazione Nazionale Carlo Collodi and based on a new script by Paolo Tartamella, Pinocchio in Manhattan is the first workshop where kids of the age 6-11 get to improvise with professional actors, perform on stage with Pinocchio, try their writing skills on a compelling topic and have the chance to win a trip to Italy to visit the 'true' town in Tuscany where Pinocchio was originally created, Collodi!

A lot of activities! But one simple message, which is so urgent in today's and tomorrow's world and so needed for the generations to come: don't lie!

However hard it may look and feel, truth is the only place where individuals and society find their freedom, the only grounds for a sustainable future. We have to promote a culture of truth now, in our schools and in our communities.

The Pinocchio in Manhattan program has two clear objectives:
1. Spread a culture of truth, with a compelling and contemporary message, centered around world-known character of Pinocchio and his new friends (original script by Paolo Tartamella)

2. Build social engagement and creativity via the Theater methodology (play directed in schools by Vittorio Capotorto, founder of italytheater, with the participation of two professional actors)
What is the workshop made of:

• Step 1: a two-hour engaging and interactive performance with two professional actors (1 morning or afternoon)

• Step 2: one page essay to be written by the kids on the relevant message of the play: truth vs. lies; and, to be submitted to italytheater (English or Italian; via email - .DOC, .JPG or .PDF)

Program will run from end of March to December 2014.

Kids will have the chance to:
• Interact with two professional actors, integrate the Pinocchio in Manhattan story, create the ending of the story, and perform on stage to express themselves and learn the Pinocchio lesson by 'living it' on stage

• Write their own thoughts about truth vs. lies, continuing this discussion inside their classroom

• Have the chance to win ONE trip to Collodi, in Tuscany, where they will live the adventures of Pinocchio and get filmed into a personalized video, made only for them, in the amazing Pinocchio amusement park; the final winner will be announced right before Christmas 2014

This is a unique program and we need your help to make it true and available to as many schools and students as possible! We will start from schools in the area of NY/NJ.

What do I do now?
• If you are an Elementary School and want to know more and register: send an email to [email protected]; budget per class is $500 for the full program (tax deductible)

• If you are a Corporate Sponsor and want to support this fantastic initiative: send an email to [email protected]; all donations are tax deductible

• To know more about italytheater and leave your pledge for a culture of truth, visit us at www.facebook.com/italytheater and leave your post: #DONTLIE - #TRUTHISFREEDOM

• To know more about FNCC and leave your pledge for a culture of truth, visit us at https://www.facebook.com/PinocchioOfficlaPage and leave your post: #DONTLIE - #TRUTHISFREEDOM