The cancellation of a fourth-grade performance of an ancient Aztec sacrificial rite in a Venango County school after some parents complained was upsetting, said local artist D. Abbey Alter, who led the students in what she called "an experience of learning."

"The school handed us a state-approved curriculum for the fourth grade, which included the Aztec culture, ancient Egyptians and Chinese and the salt (African) caravans. We were trying to make learning exciting," Ms. Alter said.

Ms. Alter, along with her group, the Walnut Street Players in Sharpsville, is on the roster of artists of the Pennsylvania Arts Council. The council selects artists to help teachers and community organizations combine art with educational experiences.

But some parents thought the portrayal of violence was inappropriate for elementary school children.

"It was a very violent culture," said Ms. Alter, referring to the Aztecs. "But does that mean I can't do Shakespeare at all because someone always dies in his plays? It's very frustrating."

She explained that the students were split up into groups of four and they chose topics for the "Bizarre Bazaar" performance that capped a month of social studies lessons at Pleasantville Elementary School.

One group decided to create the dragon used in the Chinese New Year for their project. Another group chose to re-create "camels" for the caravan trade. The group who had the ancient Egyptians re-created the Osiris legend. A group of boys had the Aztec project.

"During that time period, the Aztecs believed they had to keep the sun from failing. They believed they were in the fifth era of the sun and had to have sacrifices to keep the sun from failing," Ms. Alter said. "Well, you give this material to a bunch of little boys and they want to do a sacrifice."

She said the project taught the students about the evils of violence and how it remains a problem in the modern world.

"The first thing is, let's get these kids excited about learning something. The kids started making connections from this culture to Osama bin Laden and his violence and how harmful it is," Ms. Alter said. "They also learned about Cortez bringing smallpox to the Aztecs and how it wiped out a lot of them. They tied that together with President Bush and today's headlines. We had this beautiful opportunity to get these kids in touch with world events, and now it's gone."

Calling the parents who complained "educational terrorists," Ms. Alter said that the ones who complained didn't even see what their students were doing.

"This is what the kids bring home in their curriculum. This is our history. Some even complained about the children acting out the Osiris legend because it was teaching about false religions," she said. "They ruined the performance for everyone without even taking the time to look and see what we were doing."

She said the teachers and principal involved were very supportive, but the superintendent backed down to the parents. She and her husband and theatrical partner, James Willaman, agreed to cancel the performance because she didn't want to see the teachers and principal suffer for it.

"I just really feel bad for the kids," Ms. Alter said. "You kind of have a contract with them. Now, will they put forth that effort in the future? It's like the destruction of trust at so many levels.

"Once kids own something, they learn, and then an adult takes that away from them --- well, the worst form of violence is ignorance."

Ms. Alter, who has been doing state theatrical work since 1996, and her theatrical troupe will work locally with MCAR and Diversified Family Services on separate theater projects next year. They also will host a 24-hour yoga marathon this weekend at the Walnut Street Lodge in Sharpsville.

"Ironically enough, we're doing this marathon for world peace. It's a time for people to meditate and pray to send a positive message into the world," she said.

"This is what I'm doing when I'm not creating cardboard weapons for schools," she added with a laugh.

For more information about the yoga marathon, call (724) 962-8158.