“The Wizard of Oz” comes to town

Next Saturday, February 20th as well as Sunday, the 21st at 2 p.m. Special Gifts Theatre will take a journey down the “yellow Brick Road” to meet The “Wizard of Oz” at Ebinger Elementary School located at 7350 West Pratt in Chicago. What this wonderful play/story does for kids of all ages is teach us that if we accept ourselves for who we are and seek happiness within ourselves, we truly don’t have to journey elsewhere to find that happiness.

Special Gifts Theater company is a not-for-profit organization that serves children through adults with special needs by offering them an opportunity to participate in a unique creative drama experience that uses the stage as the platform to develop social skills, improve speech communication and increase self-confidence.

SGT has  a unique program they call their “Peer Mentor Program” made up of young people ranging in age from seven years old thru teens. They are matched one-on-one with students in the special needs program, assisting them both in the classroom and on the stage. This helps the special need student in many ways, while at the same time teaching the “mentor” how important it is to have a “guiding light” or even better a friend.

The “mission” of this program is to provide individuals with special needs something special that they can call their own and an opportunity to grow as an individual and to work with a “team” concept in putting on a play.

Tickets for the “Wizard of Oz” are only $12 if ordered in advance and only $15 at the door. Children under five are FREE. All the proceeds support the difference Special Gifts Theatre is making in the lives of these youth and teens with special needs. To order tickets call 847-564-7704 or visit www.specialgiftstheatre.org

This is YOUR opportunity to share an afternoon with some young people who are working hard to make a difference, both the mentors and the actors! By attending this production, you will make a difference and at the same time be entertained. Who can ask for anything more? Take your trip “over the rainbow” to the Ebinger School!