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Northland Area Family Service Center was recently awarded a Partnership in Participation grant program for $25,000 from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This is a pilot grant program designed to broaden opportunities for Minnesotans to participate in the arts. The Family Center is partnering with Screen Porch Productions to bring a year round theatre arts program to the Northland community at no charge to participants.

The spring program will bring together community adults and youth ages seven and up to participate in a Community Drama Group. This will provide an opportunity for participants to explore and develop drama and acting skills through theatre games, improvisation exercised and short scene work. This group will meet on Tuesdays, from 6:15 to 8 p.m., April 26 through June 14 .[[In-content Ad]]

The summer program is the Summer Community Play, "We Came...We Stayed," a full original production about the early days of an up-north community. Tryouts for the play will be held in Longville on May 23 and in Remer on May 24. Three performances are scheduled on July 28, 29 and 30.

The fall and winter program will focus on youth in an after school program called Kids Act I and II. Transportation following the after school programs will be provided.

All of these activities are made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

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