Repertory 3-year series to educate on history

South Coast Repertory will present a three-year series of plays by

playwright Richard Hellesen and composer Michael Silversher, titled

“California Series,” for its educational touring productions.

All of the plays will be on the history of the state. The first is

called “Indian Summer” and is booked for Jan. 15 through May 2 to tour

area schools.

The play will be about Native Americans and the state’s early

inhabitants taking part in the gold rush during the mid-1800s. Schools

can book the show now, with discounts available for consecutive

performances.

Information: (714) 708-5549.

Alvin Ailey part of Center dance series

The Orange County Performing Arts Center’s 2003 International Classic

Dance Series will include new works and returning favorites.

Performances by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will kick off the

season Feb. 11-16 and the Stuttgart Ballet will follow March 18-23 with

programs including “The Lady and the Fool,” “Romeo and Juliet” and the

“Seventh Symphony.”

The Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg will present “Tchaikovsky -- The

Mystery of Life and Death” on May 16-18 and the American Ballet Theatre

will close the season with “Repertory Highlights from New York Season”

and “Don Quixote” on July 22-27.

Subscription prices are $242 to $51. Individual ticket prices have not

been announced yet.

Information: (714) 556-2787.

Students to perform with Summer at the Center

The Orange County Performing Arts Center’s Summer at the Center

series, its 11th year, will offer special education students from the

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District a chance to work with

professional artists July 8-12.

The sessions will take place at Rose Drive School. Students will

perform on July 12 in Founders Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

Students from Orange County’s Alternative Charter Correction Schools

and Services Division schools will participate in the program July 15-27.

Their free public performances will happen July 26-27 at Founders Hall.

Information: (714) 556-2787.

Pacific Symphony offers Fourth of July concert

The Pacific Symphony Orchestra will present a “Swinging July 4th with

Sousa!” to kick off its 2002 Summer Festival at 6 p.m. at the Verizon

Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine.

The evening will offer a musical salute to big band, swing and Tin Pan

Alley music from the ‘40s. Fireworks and John Philip Sousa marches will

end the evening. The majority of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra’s fall

season is held at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.

Tickets are $19-$72. Information: (714) 755-5788.