As a director, Chris Tinkler knows how important the Tryon Summer Youth Theater is for kids — and families of those kids.

It is a character-building experience for the youngsters, bonding with their co-actors, taking responsibility not only for themselves but for the final dazzling production, program representatives said.

For the last three years, an anonymous donor from the Polk County Community Foundation has made it possible for the program to offer very affordable prices for its Friday night show, which makes it easier for the cast to invite extended family members to see them on stage.

Tinkler’s goal is to make all seats — for all performances — at that same price point.  To help with that goal, he is staging a one-man show at the TLT Workshop, Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory.”

The story takes place in the 1930s and describes a period in the lives of the 7-year-old narrator and an elderly woman who is his distant cousin and best friend. The narrative focuses on friendship and the joy of giving during the Christmas season.

The show will run for three performances: at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9. Visitors can come early for some light hors d’oeuvres.

Tickets can be ordered online at tltinfo.org or through the Workshop box office (516 S. Trade St. in Tryon), which is open between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Dec. 8.

Those interested in learning more may call 828-0859-2466.

– Submitted by Monica Jones