Driving, Working and Playing Dogs Will Scamper Across Utah County Touring Through Elementary Schools and Public Libraries in BYU’s Production of P. D. Eastman’s Classic
BYU’s Young Company will bring the charm and fun of “Go, Dog. Go!” to children and families across Utah County this fall. The children’s classic will be shown in the West Campus Studio Theater at BYU from Nov. 9-19.
“We've created a highly physical, highly participatory performance, with lots of absurd comedy and wise silliness,” said director Teresa Love. “The play needs an audience to reach its full potential and we can't wait to engage with students both onstage and off.”
Love describes how the performance was created to encourage students, teachers, parents and children to participate in the fun. There will be many ways that children can interact with the production.
Emmalisa Horlacher, theatre arts study major at BYU who will be playing the Green Dog in the show, tells prospective audiences to think about the excitement, fun and playfulness associated with dogs, and that’s what the show is about.
This is Horlacher’s first time performing with the Young Theatre Company, and she said focusing on acting for children has improved her acting skills. “Your audience wants to participate,” said Horlacher. “They want to be involved. Children's theatre teaches you about the audience-actor relationship, and in all earnestness, who do we create theatre for if not our audience?”
The Young Company will perform at various elementary schools and public libraries in Utah County. The full touring schedule available online.
A teacher’s packet is available as a resource to be used in the classroom and prior to performances. Love hopes this packet, and by extension the world of this show, will give classes the ability and vision to create their own world where a single piece of paper can become anything imaginable.
The packet has activities for the classroom that are easily adaptable to a family or home environment and includes a play synopsis, beginning theatre etiquette and origami activities.
“Families can expect a 50-minute show that starts with a preshow lobby origami activity and then launches into brisk sideshow types of stories about dogs doing very human things: playing games, staying up late when they shouldn't, swimming in the ocean and climbing trees,” said Love.
Love describes this production as one “geared toward the audience.” Some children and grownups will be invited on stage to help in the production, and all audience members will be able to help with laughter and applause.
Tickets and Show Details
“Go, Dog. Go!”
- November 9-11 | 7:00 p.m.
- November 16-18 | 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday November 12 | 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday November 19 | 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
*ASL interpretation will be provided for the Nov. 17 performance*
Location: West Campus Studio Theater
Price: $7-9
Tickets: Available in person at the HFAC ticket office, by phone at (801) 422-2981 or online