Play Uses Lewis & Clark to Teach Several Lessons

Coeur d’Alene Summer Theater (CST) On the Road uses the story of Lewis and Clark to teach about history and the modern-day social challenges faced by students in a presentation coming to the library, Thursday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m.
“Across the Divide” is the production written CST’s Artistic Director Jadd Davis and Director of Education Aimee Paxton, for the 2017-18 school year for presentation in regional schools, grades K-8. The production also features original music composed by Henry McNulty, resident music director at Spokane Civic Theatre and a regular performer and musician/music director for CST.
In the play, Lizzie’s class is assigned in pairs to create a presentation about Lewis and Clark’s flora and fauna discoveries. Unpopular Lizzie and her cool-kid bully Ava are assigned to work together and must overcome the obstacles of how different they are. Through Lizzie’s imagination, the characters of Lewis and Clark become real and help her address both the assignment and her social challenges.
Davis said “Across the Divide” addresses:
► Curriculum-based history of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
► Contemporary natural history.
► Issues of bullying and cyberbullying.
► The nature of friendship and family.
► The value of unplugging and getting outdoors.
CST on the Road was created 2015 as a curriculum-based “edutainment”-style touring theatre program. CST commissions and develops original musicals themed around local history and relevant issues to present in fully-staged, 100 percent portable productions. Requiring only a 15x15-foot footprint, the program can be presented in spaces as large as gymnasiums or as small as classrooms.
Davis said CST on the Road reached more than 12,000 students with the inaugural show “Living Through the Fire,” about the exploits of Edward Pulaski and the "Big Burn" of 1910 that was also presented at the library.
For more information contact education@cdasummertheatre.com or 208- 660-2958.