'A Christmas Story' Performers Keep Up On Studies On The Road

DENVER (CBS4)- There are a lot of kids on stage in "A Christmas Story: The Musical" but while they're on tour, somehow they've got to keep up with their school work.

"I ensure they get all their humanities, math, science requirements and Spanish done so we have a full range of subjects for kids to be on tour so they can take advantage of school," said teacher Amytza Maskati.

Their education center is named "Red Ryder Academy" set up in a room of the hotel at each tour stop.

"We have to do a minimum of 15 hours a week," said teacher Lorene Herzog. "Last year I did 18 hours a week with the children."

The tour actually has a contract with the teaching service for young performers which meets or exceeds their age appropriate curriculum needs.

"English language arts, reading, pre-algebra, algebra, living environment, biology, other sciences, social studies, civics, history, Spanish… we have a list of everything, we have technology, art and music classes," said Maskati.

Then after school homework, there is of course a show every night with a few matinees thrown in there for good measure.

"On the weekends, Saturday and Sunday, for the matinees and the evening show, we haven't been doing any school on the weekend," said Herzog.

"A Christmas Story: The Musical" is playing at The Buell Theatre from Dec. 16-27.