Students from various Baldwin County elementary schools were given a front row seat last week to Foley High School's production of "Charlotte's Web," connecting back to their reading curriculum through the heartfelt, beloved classic story.

Logan Lane, theater teacher, said that while the theater department usually performs a children's show each year, this show offered a unique opportunity to entertain the students while also promoting literacy.

"We usually do a Christmas show for our children's theater show, but I had seen several schools across the country do 'Charlotte's Web,' and since the newer movie came out [in 2006], a lot of the kids are familiar with it," Lane said. "We had students from Summerdale, Foley, Mathis and Magnolia come, and our advanced theater students will be performing the show."

Lane said exposing the younger students to theater gets them interested in the art and bridges a gap between reading and entertainment.

"I know that the kindergarteners read it in class, but we want to inspire all of the students and let the kids see theater," Lane said. "I think it's great that we can perform a show that is based on a book they can go check out in the library, it's neat when those two worlds collide."

Lane said the show also highlights several themes that are important for young children to learn and adopt.

"The lesson it teaches is the importance of helping others and recognizing what other people do for you," Lane said. "The big key word at the end is 'humble,' and there are a lot of things in life that we take for granted, so this show is also a reminder to stay grounded, accept the help given to you and pass it on to others."

As for the high school performers, Lane said that it is a great experience for them to exercise their acting skills, as they performed four shows in one day to the students and the community.

"It's a marathon for our high school actors. We did three school shows for the kids and then one for the community at night. I think this is a great example of children's theater, and that can be challenging for our older students," Lane said. "It is neat to watch my students take on that style of performing, which is so different than what they are used to performing and seeing. It is over the top, but has honesty and truth to it. Children's theater is a very important style of theater, and it has been amazing to prepare these kids and watch them go above and beyond for our younger students."