FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stage Aurora Theatrical Company Awarded Big Read Grant from the NEA

Jacksonville, FL ---Stage Aurora Theatrical Company, theatre that enlightens is one of 76 organizations nationwide to receive a grant as part of The Big Read project ofthe National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

The Big Read provides communities nationwide with the opportunity to read, discuss and celebrate one of 31 selections from the U.S. and world literature.  The grant will support our book of choice, Harper Lee's TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.

Stage Aurora Theatrical Company is excited to present the NEA BIG READ/TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, February 4th - March 4, 2012.  This month-long celebration will offer an array of creative and unique activities including but not limited to readings, panel discussions, Southern food tastings, prize giveaways, music, film screenings and culminating in a remount of our very successful 2010 theatrical production of the stage play TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Christopher Sergel.  Most activities will take place at Stage Aurora Theatrical Company (5188 Norwood Avenue) and will partner with the Jacksonville Public Library to bring the Big Read to every community throughout the City of Jacksonville.

The Big Read is in direct correlation with our slogan, 'theatre that enlightens'.  I had to give it a shot, the shot paid off.  We hit the bullseye in receiving this award.  This is a great opportunity to make an even more outstanding impact in the City of Jacksonville, stated Executive of The Big Read and Director Darryl Reuben Hall.

The Big Read is an initiative of the NEA designed to restore reading to the center of American culture.  The NEA presents The Big Read in cooperation with Arts Midwest.  Each community's Big Read includes activities devoted specifically to it's Big Read book or poet.

Stage Aurora and other grant recipients will receive high-quality, free-of-charge educational materials to supplement each title, such as Reader's Guides that include author biographies,historical context for the book and discussion questions.  Teacher's Guides are developed with the National Council of Teachers of English and State Language Arts standards in mind and include lesson plans, essay topics and classroom handouts.

For more information about Stage Aurora's The Big Read please call 904-765-7372 or visit www.stageaurora.org or www.neabigread.org.