Austin Playhouse is excited to announce their spring Theatre for Youth Production of Miriam Gonzales’s The Smartest Girl in the World. This heartwarming and witty play tells the story of studious Leo Martinez and his young sister Lizzy, two latch-key children of hardworking parents. Leo is convinced that winning a local TV quiz show and becoming “the smartest kid in the world” can create a better life for his family. When Mami and Papi refuse to let Leo participate due to his chronic illness, Lizzy studies up to compete in his place. Along the way, Leo and Lizzy discover that there are many ways to be smart—and that different people are smart in different ways.
PLEASE ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO LOCATE THE THEATRE! Austin Playhouse is located in ACC Highland (formerly Highland Mall). There is heavy construction on the Airport Blvd (west) side of the campus. Use Highland Mall Blvd, on the North side of campus to enter the parking lot. From Airport, turn onto Highland Mall Blvd. You will reach a stop sign at Jonathan Drive. Turn right and head toward the building. You will be on the North side of Building 4000.Turn left and keep the building on your right. Drive around to the SOUTH side of the building. Austin Playhouse is only accessible from the South entrance. YOUR GPS WILL NOT TELL YOU THIS. Please keep these directions with you. When you're at the South entrance you will see a large structure under construction in front of you and the building will be on your right. You will be on the I35 side of campus. Please call 512-476-0084 if you need assistance.
The Smartest Girl in the World will have public performances on Tuesday, April 3 at 7pm and Saturday, April 7 and 14 at 11am and 2pm. In addition to public performances, The Smartest Girl in the World is also available for schools and camps throughout Central Texas. For more information, contact Austin Playhouse’s Theatre for Youth Coordinator, Marie Fahlgren, at [email protected].
Austin Playhouse believes that an early introduction to theatre helps students learn creativity, social skills and critical thinking. Students should be challenged to actively listen, imagine new worlds, and relate to the struggles of characters on stage. At its best, theatre introduces new cultures and ideas, as well as new ways of looking at our own culture and ideas.
Because Austin Playhouse believes cost should not be a factor, all public performances for our Theatre for Youth production will have pick-your-price tickets starting at FREE.
The Smartest Girl in the World is targeted to children grades 2 – 6, but is appropriate for the whole family. The show will be directed by Roxanne Schroeder-Arce and star David Barrera as Leo and Madison Palomo as Lizzy with Benjamin Bazan, Kenedi Delgado, and Martinique Duchene-Phillips rounding out the cast. The design team includes Joel Mercado-See (sound design), Mike Toner (set design), and Glenda Wolfe (costume design).
