Broadway SF, Mayor London Breed, the SF Unified School District, and the SF Public Library have announced a new initiative to donate around 5,000 copies of Harper Lee’s classic novel To Kill A Mockingbird to students, libraries, and education programs across SF. BroadwaySF is sponsoring the donation in order to promote literacy, free speech, and the arts by making copies of the classic novel widely available to students.
This initiative was launched in conjunction with the opening day of the award-winning stage production of To Kill A Mockingbird, at SF’s Golden Gate Theater. In addition to the book donation, BroadwaySF is donating 250 tickets to school groups and partners like Larkin Street Youth Services.
To announce this initiative Mayor Breed was joined by Oscar and Emmy award-winning playwright Aaron Sorkin, who adapted the book for the stage, in addition to the play’s stars Richard Thomas, Yaegel T. Welch, and Melanie Moore. Also in attendance were Superintendent of the SF Unified School District Dr. Matt Wayne and City Librarian Michael Lambert.
“We have a literacy crisis in this country, but the best legacy we can offer our kids is access to educational opportunities that will enrich their future. We thank BroadwaySF for investing in our children,” said Mayor London N. Breed. “San Francisco’s arts are core to the vibrancy that is unique to our City. The production To Kill A Mockingbird is a welcomed milestone for our cultural vibrancy and our economic recovery. We are excited to build on this momentum and welcome visitors from around the world to enjoy San Francisco’s world-class arts community.”
BroadwaySF will donate books to every school group attending the show during the run from September 13 through October 9. In addition to school groups, BroadwaySF will replenish the SF Public Library’s copies of To Kill A Mockingbird so that the book will be readily available to anyone interested.
Community groups such as 826 Valencia, Larkin Street Youth Services, and LYRIC Youth will receive copies of the book as well. In total. BroadwaySF expects to give out at least 5,000 copies of the book during the show’s run.
To Kill A Mockingbird will play from September 13th – October 9th at SF’s Golden Gate Theater, located at 1 Taylor Street.
Featured image courtesy of BroadwaySF