MOLINE, IL -- If you want "real" reality television, look no further than WQPT and PBS.

CHI & Partners, a New York marketing and advertising agency, created a series of fake reality television trailers for public television, comparing absurd reality TV with the quality of public television programming. WQPT will air these trailers throughout October.

At the end of these trailers a plain and simple message is revealed, "The fact that you thought this was a real show says a lot about the state of TV." According to WQPT General Manager Mary Pruess, the trailers are intended to make people realize that although they might occasionally indulge in reality-style programming, it's also important to support a public broadcasting station, which doesn't have a giant marketing force behind it and relies on its members to keep running.

"We saw these spots and thought they were very funny. We asked WNET in New York if they would be willing to allow us to share them with our audience," Pruess added. "While the message is intended as tongue-in-cheek, we want people to stop and think about the value that our public television station delivers to our communities, at no cost. We hope these spots will start a vibrant conversation about quality television and remind viewers why they should support local public television."

The trailers can also be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/pages/WQPT-Quad-Cities-PBS/152046043220 and at wqpt.org.

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University located in Moline, Ill.

###

ROCK ISLAND, IL - The District Theatre (formerly Harrison Hilltop Theatre) has entered a new era.  The theatre, located in downtown Rock Island on 2nd Avenue has completed the process to become a non-profit theatre and has inducted a board of directors, which includes Bryan Tank, Deborah Shippy, Georgia Jecklin, Thomas Hanson, Joseph Maubach, Dana Copell, and Lora Adams.  Matt Mercer is the board president.

"I had wanted to complete the season as planned, but the board and I met and felt that rather than wait to implement our new business strategies with the beginning of the sixth season, we roll them out now," said Tristan Tapscott, District Theatre Artistic Director.

"We looked at our projected expenses and revenue and made the decision to unveil our 'new vision' for the District Theatre immediately," said board president, Mercer.  That new vision included changing some of the lineup for the remainder of the year, partnering with other arts organizations and producing special events like the upcoming roast of Tristan Layne Tapscott on July 20th.  The theatre's website is undergoing a change and will be unveiled later this summer.

Opening June 28 is "Reasons to Be Pretty" followed by, James Fairchild's one man cabaret titled "Out of Character."  New offerings begin August 1st with "Twelve Angry Men" "Let's Face the Music," a musical revue, in September; "The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs" in early October and "The Rocky Horror Show" in late October. November 15-24 will be "The Tempest" with and rounding out the year will be the critically acclaimed musical "A Christmas Carol" by Tapscott and Danny White running December 6 to 15.

"In many ways we are returning to our roots presenting a classic play, a new musical and a contemporary show this fall," said Tapscott

The District Theatre formerly known as Harrison Hilltop theatre, opened in 2008 and moved to their Rock Island location in June 2011. At that time the theatre changed its name to better define its new location in The District of Rock Island.  

###

A special celebration was held in their honor on Sunday, May 19, at the Deere-Wiman House in Moline, IL. Our 16 winners from Kindergarten through 3rd grade won some cool prizes for their outstanding stories, and the first place winners from each grade will go on to compete in the PBS national contest. All 405 children who entered the local contest received certificates for their efforts.

Their stories can be viewed at Butterworth Center in Moline, IL until May 30, at the Family Museum in Bettendorf, IA from June 3 to 16, and at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, IA from June 18 to 30.

(The kids are in order in the photos...first place on left, then second place etc. The names are listed below.)

Kindergarten

First Place                 Rylan Edwards, Ekstrand Elementary, DeWitt, IA

Second Place            Ellie Curnyn, Jane Addams Elementary, Moline, IL

Third Place                Sophia Foad, Cody Elementary, LeClaire, IA

Hon. Mention             Oliver Borders, Longfellow Liberal Arts, Rock Island, IL

 

First Grade

First Place                 Georgia Brunkan, Ed White Elementary, Eldridge, IA

Second Place            Xion Owens-Holst, McKinley Elementary, Davenport, IA

Third Place                Gianna Schwartz, Paul Norton School, Bettendorf, IA

Hon. Mention             Nate Stanger, Garfield School, Davenport, IA

 

Second Grade

First Place                 Paul Schwartz, Paul Norton School, Bettendorf, IA

Second Place            Isabella Jones, Rivermont Collegiate, Bettendorf, IA

Third Place                Nikhil Ramaraju, Riverdale Heights, Bettendorf, IA

Hon. Mention             Jena Edwards, Ekstrand Elementary, DeWitt, IA

 

Third Grade

First Place                 Dalton Morrow, Harrison Elementary, Davenport, IA

Second Place            Alana Kruse, Morning Star Academy, Davenport, IA

Third Place                Eden Swails, Riverdale Elementary, Port Byron, IL

Hon. Mention             Calla Brunkan, Ed White Elementary, Eldridge, IA

MOLINE, IL -- WQPT received more than 400 stories from students in kindergarten through third grade for the annual PBS Kids Go Writers Contest. Sixteen winners (four from each grade) were selected by educators and contest sponsors. The winners and their families will be honored and awarded prizes at Deere-Wiman House at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 19.

"We received a record number of stories this year. We are thrilled that so many teachers and parents encouraged their young authors and illustrators to participate," said Ana Kehoe, WQPT's educational outreach director.

Kindergarten

First Place: Rylan Edwards, Ekstrand Elementary, DeWitt, IA

Second Place: Ellie Curnyn, Jane Addams Elementary, Moline, IL

Third Place: Sophia Foad, Cody Elementary School, LeClaire, IA

Honorable Mention: Oliver Borders, Longfellow Liberal Arts, Rock Island, IL

 

First grade

First Place: Georgia Brunkan, Ed White Elementary, Eldridge, IA

Second Place: Xion Owens-Holst, McKinley Elementary, Davenport, IA

Third Place: Gianna Schwartz, Paul Norton School, Bettendorf, IA

Honorable Mention: Nate Stanger, Garfield School, Davenport, IA

 

Second grade

First Place: Paul Schwartz, Paul Norton School, Bettendorf, IA

Second Place: Isabella Jones, Rivermont Collegiate, Bettendorf, IA

Third Place: Nikhil Ramaraju, Riverdale Heights Elementary, Bettendorf, IA

Honorable Mention: Jena Edwards, Ekstrand Elementary, DeWitt, IA

 

Third grade

First Place: Dalton Morrow, Harrison Elementary, Davenport, IA

Second Place: Alana Kruse, Morning Star Academy, Bettendorf, IA

Third Place: Eden Swails, Riverdale Elementary, Port Byron, IL

Honorable Mention: Calla Brunkan, Ed White Elementary, Eldridge, IA

 

All the entries will be returned, along with a certificate from PBS. Stories will be displayed at the Butterworth Center from May 19-30; the Family Museum from June 3-16; and Figge Art Museum from June 18-30.

The contest is supported by WQPT-Quad Cities PBS, the Butterworth Center, Deere-Wiman House, Family Museum in Bettendorf, Figge Art Museum and the Midwest Writing Center.

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University - Quad Cities located in Moline, Illinois.

###