Mystery of the Green Teeth Ghost

Austin children’s theatre company Pollyanna Theatre and playwright Holly Hepp-Gavin have reimagined the company’s popular Mystery of the Green Teeth Ghost into an innovative, interactive online play set for initial release Saturday, June 27 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Originally staged in the fall of 2018 at the Long Center, Mystery of the Green Teeth Ghost invites young audiences to help solve a mystery using math games and tricks. The new Zoom version casts audience members who sign up in various roles. “Each child will get a role, complete with suggested props and costumes,” said Pollyanna Artistic Director Judy Matetzschk-Campbell. “Children ages 8 to 11 will have fun reading short scripts and gathering clues.”

Writer and professional theatre-for-youth facilitator Holly Hepp-Galvan will join the Zoom performance to facilitate and direct the fun. “I think young audiences will enjoy solving both the mystery and the math,” she said. “And I think they’ll also get lots of chances to laugh!”

The initial performance of Mystery of the Green Teeth Ghost will take place on June 27, but additional performances will be scheduled in the coming weeks. The play can also be booked for private Zoom birthday parties.

Like the rest of the Austin performing arts community, Pollyanna has been impacted by the COVID-19 quarantine but has pivoted to offer on-line content that both supports parents and educators and offers fun for its young audiences. The Zoom version of Mystery of the Green Teeth Ghost is the latest on-line offering from the company. Pollyanna Storytime features dozens of books read by Pollyanna actors and supporters. Distance learning options include lessons for grade school and preschool students. “We’re offering these resources free on our website as a way to teach, entertain and connect with children,” Matetzschk-Campbell said. “We’re all eager to get back to the theater, but in the meanwhile we’ll do everything we can to help keep arts education thriving.”