11 Feb 2004
Dallas Children's Theatre Collaborates with DISD's Safe and Drug Free Programs
DALLAS–Thanks to new neighbors, the Dallas Children's Theatre, seventh grade students from Benjamin Franklin Middle School will attend a production of The Outsiders Thursday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m. at the Rosewood Center for Family Arts, 5938 Skillman St.
In support of initiatives established by Dallas Independent School District's Safe and Drug-Free Schools program, Dallas Children's Theater donated 400 tickets to Franklin Middle School so that students in the area could attend a special performance of the play. In English class, each student read the novel on which the play was based, and now will experience the story come to life onstage.
H.B. Bell, associate superintendent-Alternative Programs, endorses this opportunity for students to discuss this work after seeing it onstage. "Peer pressure, violence, social status… the themes addressed in the play are realities in the lives of our students. We need these kinds of experiences for our students to see the outcomes and think about their options."
The DISD Safe and Drug Free Schools program provided copies of the book for participating Franklin students, and is offering after–school supervision, dinner and transportation. After the performance, youth counselors, program specialists and DISD police officers will speak to the students about issues addressed in the play.