“Treasure Island” sails into port this weekend, as Heartwood Theater’s annual middle school program. This 40-minute romp, with a student cast of 28 in grades 4-8, showcases Young Jim Hawkins (and his band of storytellers), captains, talking parrots, swarthy pirates, Englishmen, vegetarian natives, ghostly old Billy Bones and Blind Pew, and a somewhat grumpy mom. Great family show for all ages!  Two of the scheduled six performances of this delightful spin on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic piece, are scheduled for the public at the Poe Theater at Lincoln Academy Jan. 30-31.

The program is designed not only for students desiring to participate on stage, but to provide a live theater experience for Midcoast youth, performed by their peers. To that end, nearly 600 elementary and middle school students and staff will attend four school day performances, bused in from 10 area schools on January 29 and 30. 

Directors Teralyn Reiter and Griff Braley bring their teaching experience, passion for live theater, and expectations for work and success to students in this annual no-fee  program. Costuming is by Heidi Kopishke, an integral member of this midwinter drama adventure for many years, with lighting provided by Ryan Kohnert, also a longtime member of the production team at Heartwood. 

Two public performances are scheduled in the Poe Theater at Lincoln Academy at 81 Academy Hill Road in Newcastle. Dates and times: Friday, January 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 31 at 3 pm. Tickets for both shows are $5/student and $10/adult.  Reservations available by contacting Heartwood: at 563-1373 or  info@heartwoodtheater.org

This program is made possible, in part, by: Heartwood’s Season Sponsor, Bath Savings Institution; Season Youth Sponsor, Damariscotta Hardware; and Education Sponsor, First National Bank.  Student tickets are available for $5 for every show this season, thanks to sponsors Moody’s Diner and First National Wealth Management.