The "Little Princess in Wonderland" was recently performed on stage at Fair Oaks Ranch Community School in Canyon Country.

The innovative Showdown Stagecraft after-school performing arts program combined playwriting, songwriting, music, acting and other performing arts skills for the students who participated in the program.

"The program is designed to introduce elementary school age children to performing arts," said Dennis Poore, director of the Fair Oaks Ranch program. "They put the show together from scratch. They learned all the aspects of a live production."

Students and Poore collaborated on the original script and song that was performed for family and friends. The program uses theater games and other fun and educational activities to introduce the concept of live theater to children, said Poore.

Students in the program ranged in age from kindergarten to fifth grade.

"I had to fashion the program so it worked for all age groups," Poore said.

Poore said he hopes to expand the program to other schools. For information on after school stagecraft programs contact Poore by e-mail at www.poorehousemusic.com.