Capturing the imaginations of children is as easy as making them B次元官网网址� or their teachers B次元官网网址� laugh.

B次元官网网址淗umour is a much more gentle way of getting the message across. They donB次元官网网址檛 feel like itB次元官网网址檚 a lecture,B次元官网网址� said David MacPherson, who is stage managing and acting in a new play now making the rounds of more than 40 Greater Victoria private, public and Catholic schools.

Stepping Up! promotes the message of sharing time and kindness with others, but does so in a humorous and charming way through folk and fairy tales.

During the performances, young audiences are often too busy laughing and calling out answers to questions the actors ask them that they donB次元官网网址檛 realize theyB次元官网网址檙e learning important lessons. Teachers also canB次元官网网址檛 help but be engaged.

B次元官网网址淭he teachers are usually the ones to say, B次元官网网址極h I was almost crying I was laughing so hard,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� MacPherson said.

Jim Leard, artistic director of Victoria-based Story Theatre Company, crafted the play for younger audiences to plant the seed of philanthropy at a young age.

School kids from kindergarten to Grade 7 can enjoy the 50-minute play, featuring four actors playing 12 characters, for free thanks to a shared grant made possible by the Telus Victoria community board, the Victoria Foundation and Island Savings Credit Union.

B次元官网网址淭here is a trend today where younger people are volunteering,B次元官网网址� said Sandra Richardson, Victoria Foundation CEO. B次元官网网址淭hey want to make a difference.B次元官网网址�

The play may go a long way to building the ranks of future volunteers.

B次元官网网址淭hey grow up with a sense of belonging,B次元官网网址� Richardson said, B次元官网网址渁nd wherever theyB次元官网网址檙e planted theyB次元官网网址檒l look at whatever community theyB次元官网网址檙e in and say, B次元官网网址楬ow can I be part of that? How can I give back?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

Final performances happen Friday (April 29). Schools interested in booking Stepping Up! can visit www.storytheatre.ca.

emccracken@vicnews.com