DPA Theater Academy participants sought for ‘Tesla and Edison’ show

Discovery Park of America, in Union City, Tenn., recently announced that students participating in the next production of Historical Theater Academy will produce a performance about Serbian-American engineer and physicist Nikola Tesla and American inventor and businessman Thomas Edison’s race to be the inventor of electricity. Support for, “Tesla and Edison: The History of Electricity,” is made possible in part by a financial gift from Warner Law Firm and Third & Church of Union City.

The Historical Theater Academy is a unique program designed for students in grades 6-12 that takes place at Discovery Park twice each year. Academy participants receive instruction in multiple aspects of theater and historical research then stage a performance of the original work they create. In addition to gaining experience in numerous disciplines including acting, set design, costuming, writing and historical research, students learn how to work as a team.

“As a longtime fan of the all work being done in our area by Discovery Park for students, I am especially fond of this program, as it also supports the arts, something I am passionate about,” said John Warner, member of Warner Law Firm who has contributed financially, along with Third & Church of Union City, to the program. “Our hope is this support will allow even more students to participate and perhaps discover a passion for the arts they will have for the rest of their lives.”

The Historical Theater Academy was begun in 2017 by Discovery Park’s education director, Polly Brasher, and volunteer John Hall. Since then, classes have covered a variety of topics including Casey Jones, the history of flight, the Salem witch trials and the duel of Hamilton and Burr.

“The mission of Discovery Park is to inspire children and adults to see beyond,” said Brasher. “Those of us fortunate enough to work on this program get to actually see the inspiration take place. We watch as the students discover a passion for the arts many of them never knew they had because programs like this are not offered in many of the schools in this area.”

In addition to the support from Warner Law Firm and Third & Church of Union City, this year Discovery Park is partnering with the Obion River Regional Library Center, which serves nine counties and 20 different libraries across Northwest Tennessee

This program is available to all students in grades 6-12 and will be held at DPA on Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. beginning Aug. 6 and the performance will take place Dec. 14 at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The total cost to participate in the upcoming session of the Historical Theater Academy is $100 for first-time students and $50 for returning students.

To find out more about scholarships or to register, contact the local library, visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com/HTA, email info@discoveryparkofamerica.com or call 731-885-5455 and ask for the Education Department.