Central Texas’ most well-known children’s theatre company, Pollyanna Theatre, a resident company of the Long Center for the Performing Arts, presents Trouble on the Double by Holly Hepp-Galván. This new play, best suited for children ages 4 – 10, opens July 9 – 17 at the Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 West Riverside, Austin, TX  78704.

Trouble on the Double follows the story of young twins. These two may look alike, but their personalities are very different. While one is brave and not afraid to try anything, the other is timid and does not like to take any risks. Can these siblings learn to balance each other out? How much adventure is fun and how much is dangerous? Hepp-Galvan’s newest play for Pollyanna will have audiences both thinking and laughing as the action unfolds. This production is sure to be a perfect summertime trip to the theatre for both summer campers and families.

“This is a play about being brave enough to accept challenges, but also being smart enough to say no when others dare us to do harmful things. It’s about balance and good decisions. And it’s also about eating hot mustard, which is the ultimate test of courage for anyone,” says playwright Holly Hepp-Galván, who has previously produced three plays with director Judy Matetzschk-Campbell.

Trouble on the Double is set in a larger than life world in which children can climb and jump vast distances, extremely large animals wave ten-foot-long tails, and shadows come to life. Set designers Holly and Patrick Crowley will construct the world, and projection designer and puppeteer Sara Farr will create the digital puppets and work with the performers to form the shadow puppets.

When it comes to the shadows, Hepp-Galván explains, “For Max and Minnie, they show not only who they are, but who they could be. In this play, shadows represent both our best and worst selves. For Minnie in particular, her shadow lets her see the brave person she is inside.”

As with all Pollyanna Theatre productions, the cast is comprised of adult, professional actors, including:

Max – Matthew Burnett

Minnie – Uyen-Anh Dang

Bruce – Ryan Wilson

Carla – Jess Hughes

Shadow Puppeteer – Bethany Harbaugh

Parents, teachers and caregivers can download a free study guide to accompany the production by visiting www.pollyannatheatrecompany.org/teachers/lesson-plans/. The guide contains an overview of the play, educational objectives and pre/post discussion questions and activities.

In addition to public performances, Trouble on the Double is also available for schools and camps throughout Central Texas.