Pitt and Local Libraries Present Children’s Puppet Show That Brings To Life the Story of Environmentalist Rachel Carson

PITTSBURGH—It’s not easy being green . . . but ecologist and author Rachel Carson knew that children have a unique ability to understand and appreciate their environment. Carson’s legacy as champion of the environmental movement is brought to life this summer in a free puppet show, “Lessons from the Birds,” being performed at more than a dozen local libraries through August 14. A schedule follows.

Geared to kindergarten through fifth grade students, “Lessons from the Birds” brings Carson’s love of the earth, science, and conservation to a young audience. Her serious message is made accessible through use of familiar places, creative puppetry, and animal faces. It is being presented by the University of Pittsburgh’s Shakespeare-in-the-Schools program and the Carnegie and Allegheny Libraries.

“Lessons from the Birds” was written by Attilio “Buck” Favorini, award-winning playwright, founding chair of Pitt’s Department of Theatre Arts, and chair of the University Senate Sustainability Committee.

Tour dates include:

• Thursday, July 8 at 10:30 a.m., Main Carnegie Library
• Saturday, July 10 at 1 p.m., Carrick Carnegie Library
• Monday, July 12 at 11 a.m., Homewood Carnegie Library
• Monday, July 12 at 6:30 p.m., Dormont Public Library
• Tuesday, July 13 at 10:30 a.m., Hill District Carnegie Library
• Tuesday, July 13 at 2 p.m., South Side Carnegie Library
• Thursday, July 15 at 1 p.m., Beechview Carnegie Library
• Friday, July 16 at 11 a.m., Mt. Washington Carnegie Library
• Saturday, July 17 at 11 a.m., Lawrenceville Carnegie Library

Additional dates are listed on the Shakespeare-in-the-Schools Web site. Interested parties can request a “Lessons from the Birds” show through their local library branch.

“Lessons from the Birds” is available for school-year tours (Fall 2010–Spring 2011). To book a performance, contact Gateway to the Arts at 412-362-6982.

Funding for “Lessons from the Birds” is provided by the Heinz Endowments’ Youth EcoArt Initiative and the Robert C. Smith Fund and Betsy R. Clark Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation.

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