SU students to participate in “If All of Central New York Reads” kickoff event

SU students to participate in “If All of Central New York Reads” kickoff eventSeptember 20, 2004Amy Schmitzaemehrin@syr.edu

Students from the Syracuse University Drama Department will present scenes from the stage adaptation of “The Grapes of Wrath” and readings from the novel as part of the kickoff event for “If All of Central New York Reads: The Grapes of Wrath.”

The event will take place Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. at Barnes and Noble in DeWitt. Representatives of the county government, local school districts, the Onondaga County Public Libraries, and local universities and colleges, will be on hand to encourage a community-wide reading program.

Ed Kochian, deputy county executive, will be the master of ceremonies and will join the SU students on stage. Also on stage will be Michael Donald Edwards, SU adjunct professor of drama; Joyce Latham of the Onondaga County Public Libraries; Julia Bliven from the Liverpool Central School District; Frank Herron from the Post-Standard; and Tim Fox from NewsChannel 9.

The kickoff will introduce a half-year of activities surrounding the reading of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath.” Activities include symposia on a variety of topics, several displays at local libraries, photography exhibitions and the stage adaptation of the novel at Syracuse Stage.

The kickoff is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served and a raffle held for a free copy of the novel and tickets to the Syracuse Stage production in the spring. Everyone attending the kickoff will receive a button stating “I’ve Read The Grapes of Wrath.” For more information call 443-2636 or 449-2947.