New Creative Partnership Focuses on Providing Families with Tools to Promote Early Literacy Through Play

Pre-Covid Springer Theatre for the Very Young performance

COLUMBUS, GA — The Springer Children’s Theatre production of Deep Blue Sea marks a new partnership with The Basics Chattahoochee Valley. The show, which opens November 7 - 14, is part of the Springer’s Theatre for the Very Young Series that produces developmentally appropriate, immersive, and educational theatrical shows for children ages zero through 5 years and their caregivers. The two organizations have come together to provide a unified movement, each bringing their own set of skills, experience, and resources to benefit the community.  

“The Basics are five fun and simple tools that parents and caregivers can use with their children from birth to age three and beyond to give every child a great start in life. The Basics Chattahoochee Valley and the Springer both believe in the importance of developing social, emotional, and behavioral skills in early childhood to help them succeed in the classroom and beyond. Through this partnership, we hope to share the tools of The Basics while parents, caregivers, and children explore the magical and immersive world of live theatre,” said Grace Nagel, Director of The Basics Chattahoochee Valley.  

This partnership combines early childhood education and the performing arts to share the powerful five Basics Tools with grown-ups and kids in a new and creative way. Each Springer Theatre for the Very Young production is a new original work. Springer Director of Education, Sally Baker, creates the title, framework, and socio-emotional goal for the show. The Springer and The Basics Chattahoochee Valley then work together to integrate the five Basics Tools into the performance to complement the learning goals of the show.

For Deep Blue Sea, the learning goals are the importance of keeping our oceans clean, the effects of pollution on our environment, and how to keep yourself calm during emotional anxiety told through the eyes of Tuttle the Turtle and her deep-sea friends. The audience will see The Basics tools performed on stage and learn interactively about ways to use The Basics in their daily lives. Parents and caregivers who attend the show will be given information about The Basics to take home and refer back to the performance when practicing The Basics with their children.

“If something goes wrong, stay calm, breathe, squeeze, hug yourself, and count to three. That’s part of the show,” states Sally Baker, Director of Education for the Springer. Baker claims since rehearsal began a few weeks ago, she’s used this method more than once to calm herself in stressful situations.

Each Springer Theatre for the Very Young production is written and performed by students of various ages and experience from the Springer Theatre Academy program. The student actors get a chance to invest in younger students in a whole new way as a layered mentorship program, and parents get to see “Life Skills Through Stage Skills,” the Springer Theatre Academy’s motto, in a whole new way. Baker purposefully had this in mind when creating a Springer Theatre for the Very Young series. 

“We are committed to providing high-quality interactive entertainment for young audiences and want to strengthen early literacy skills by using the tools of theatre,” states Baker. “The partnership with The Basics Chattahoochee Valley naturally aligns to provide creative and innovative strategies that support literacy and exceptional parenting skills.”

The Basics Chattahoochee Valley launched in May 2019 as part of the Columbus 2025 five-year strategic plan. The Basics operates through United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley and is funded by The Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley. Originating in Boston in 2015, The Basics is a literacy awareness program that has now spread to over 30 communities across the country. Columbus 2025 Executive Director, Tabetha Getz, stated that The Basic Chattahoochee Valley is the first of its kind in Georgia or Alabama. 

Research shows that 80% of brain growth happens within the first three years of life. According to a recent study released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, students who do not read proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. These statistics are part of the driving force behind bringing The Basics to the Chattahoochee Valley.   

“Columbus 2025 is our community’s strategic plan for a greater Columbus region by 2025. This new partnership between the Springer and the Basics is aligned with the 2025’s goal to enhance opportunities for early childhood learning and ultimately increase kindergarten readiness. Columbus 2025 is proud to have been a founding partner of The Basics Chattahoochee Valley. It’s great to see our community partners continue to implement this program within their programs for children and families,” stated Getz.

Deep Blue Sea will be performed outdoors with plenty of social distancing in the Springer Plaza. The entrance is through the archway of trees next to the Springer Theatre Academy Office located at 1017 2nd Avenue. The show targets ages three through years; however, there will be lots of socially distant participation that audiences younger than three and their caregivers will enjoy.  All patrons of any age will be required to wear a mask until seated in their “bubble.” Patrons are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. For more information, visit springeroperahouse.org or call 706-327-3688.  

The Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley uses its unrestricted Community Endowment Funds to underwrite the first three years of the operating budget of The Basics, until 2023, in a belief that early investment in our youngest citizens offers our community the best chance to reduce poverty and maximize success. For more information on The Basics Chattahoochee Valley, visit cv.thebasics.org.

For more Deep Blue Sea showtimes and tickets, click here.

Springer Plaza, the outdoor venue for the Springer Theatre for the Very Young production of Deep Blue Sea.