Jess Jung, Theatre NDSU artistic director and assistant professor of directing, received a $1,250 grant from The Arts Partnership to develop a new play for young audiences.

Jung, along with colleague Chelsea Pace, assistant professor of movement, will create a version of “The Ugly Duckling.” The play is intended for an audience of children, ages 18 months to 4 years.

According to Jung, the cast will consist of faculty members and students. “I hope to welcome parents, babies and toddlers who might not otherwise feel connected to theatre into our space,” she said. “Through visually-dynamic, movement-based content that asks the young audience members and parents to play along with much of the action of the story, we hope to inspire creative play and engagement.”

Rough drafts of the play are expected be presented at NDSU’s Center for Child Development in spring 2018, and final performances will be presented to the public in summer 2018.

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