Eastern Alumna Deborah Stauffer Performs in 'Earth Day, Every Day'

2017 Apr 3

A zany cast of characters performed by Eastern Connecticut State University alumni is amid an ambitious month-long tour for a children's theatre production called "Earth Day, Every Day." Brought to audiences by eesmarts, an Energize Connecticut initiative managed by Eversource and the United Illuminating Company, the play will tour Connecticut elementary schools from March 27-April 21.

"Earth Day, Every Day" was written by Eastern alumna Deborah Stauffer '16, who won the 2016 eesmarts Student Contest "Wright the World" college category. The play aims to teach children the importance of making smart and sustainable energy choices.

Among the alumni involved is Deborah Stauffer '16 of Ellington, who earned a Bachelor of General Studies degree with a concentration in communication. Stauffer wrote the play as part of her scriptwriting class in her senior year at Eastern.

"I'm excited that my script has come to life," said Stauffer. "The costumes are outstanding and every character is really what I imagined them to be. I am so thrilled with it all!"

With numerous performances at elementary schools in 38 Connecticut towns, the messages of "Earth Day, Every Day" will reach approximately 10,000 students.

The play follows Roger Recycle, Penelope Precycle, Elmer Energy, Chadwick Composter and Scarlet Upcycle as they audition for a special Earth Day commercial broadcast. During their audition, they try to convince the director that they are the best solution for conserving energy and resources. By the end, the characters realize that each of them play important roles in conserving the planet, and that they need each other to make the world a better place.

Three public performances are scheduled: two on April 13 at the Energize Connecticut Center (122 Universal Drive North, North Haven) at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. and one on April 14 at Stafford Palace Theatre (75 Main St., Stafford Springs) at 10 a.m.