Chaz Brastow
Production Manager
Nathaniel would not speak at first. Through intervention he developed sign language to communicate his needs. It was frustrating for us, but especially for him. He would often cry because he had no vocabulary to vent. As he turned three he began to replace the signs with words.
People’s Light expanded their Summerstage program to include younger students just in time for Nathaniel. At first he didn’t want to participate, but quickly reversed his opinion after just a day with instructor Erin Weaver. He took ownership of the play development process and the team building exercises and utilized their lesson in his everyday interactions. He came back the next summer and the next. It was during this production that he caught the attention of Abbey, who watched him being so engaged. He was invited to audition for Getting Near to Baby.
It is a not an exaggeration to say that the play changed his life. His perceptions of the world have grown deeper and his relationships with teachers and students alike are more profound. Friends from his church in Frazer, his school in West Chester (Fern Hill Elementary), and his teammates from the West Chester United Soccer Club shared in the experience. Nathaniel had already been popular in school, but he became a leader. His public speaking and oral presentations are markedly enhanced and his writing presents a more compelling narrative. His ability to deconstruct books, movies, and plays is more illuminated as a result of his experience at People’s Light.
Tom Teti
Company Member
About twelve years ago, a young lad came to my teen class who was quite good, and a good boy. He told me that his Dad was interested in taking acting, perhaps he said he'd acted before. I met his father when he was picking him up one day. I was surprised that he was British. I gave him what information I knew, as I was not teaching adults at PLTC at that time. The boy was James Smith, his father was Gary. Gary went on to take class with Kathryn Petersen. In that connection they began to talk Panto. It resulted in Dick Whittington in our Out of the Box festival. Four years later, I meet a lawyer who tells me that she loved Dick Whittington so much that she always comes to the Panto on her birthday, and it has grown into a family event, from her twelve-year-old to her seventy-four-year-old mother and her sisters. One of the sisters has volunteered as an usher. She brought a friend to the theater who enrolled her daughters in classes. It gets passed on, if the welcome is real.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Shakespeare Workshop Lesson Plan & Photos
On Friday, January 29th, King Lear fight director Samantha Bellomo and Resident Company members (and Lear cast members) Kevin Bergen and Mary Elizabeth Scallen led a Shakespeare workshop for teachers. Below is a link to the lesson plan that you can download and explore, as well as some photos from the workshop!
Download the lesson plan here.
Download the lesson plan here.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Update: Stories of Engagement
Winnie Killian
Administrative Assistant
When I think of someone staying involved with the theatre I think of me. I remember the day I drove past and my daughter said, "Turn in here, Mom. They need a receptionist.” So here I am, 14 years later. I went from part-time receptionist to full-time Subscriptions Manager and back to part-time receptionist. During that time, my family and friends have become active in life here at PLTC. We all look forward to plays, auctions, and Summerstage. The Panto has become a big part of our family holiday. We give tickets to friends as wedding and birthday gifts, and Owen passes out brochures at his office. A few from his office have become single ticket buyers and Family Series subscribers. I'm very happy I turned in here 14 years ago.
Each year I got a call from a man who just loved the Panto (and Andrea spoke to him again this year). His family holiday trip is to PLTC and they love to sit in the first row. One year I spoke to him while he was on the beach. He said his Christmas wouldn't be the same without the Panto!
Owen, my husband, works for a Dutch leasing company in Wayne called De Lage Landen Financial Services. He had been the Chief Risk Officer for the last 13 years before his semi-retirement last year and he still works there on a consulting basis. They often have people from the Netherlands staying here for a few years and also people transferring from around the US.
Emily, my granddaughter, loved Summerstage! She went last year and really looked forward to doing it again this year. She's in 2nd grade at St. Elizabeth School in Chester Springs. She had great stories each day on the drive home. She made instant friends with the other students and exchanged phone numbers for play dates. There were lots of hugs between the kids on the last day of class. She's quick to tell you that she knows the actors in the Panto and feels like a bit of an actor herself.
Ken Mumma
Board Member
My wife, Moira, and I attended plays on occasional basis.
I took an improvisation class for adults (and have regularly taken classes for 15 years since).
Moira and I became subscribers.
One of my instructors told me about People's Light’s work with kids, so I attended some elementary school performances.
I joined the Project Discovery Advisory Board.
Moira and I became annual donors.
I performed in the two Outside the Box seasons.
I founded New Century Bank.
I joined the board of People’s Light.
People's Light staff began using New Century Bank for their personal needs.
I co-chaired a charity auction for People’s Light, inviting our friends to participate
Moira's employer, Citizen Advocacy of Chester County, began using one dress rehearsal each year as an annual fundraiser.
New Century Bank provided a mortgage for People’s Light.
New Century Bank began purchasing subscriptions.
I participated in the Theatre’s Education Department Adult Ensemble production.
I co-chair the Theatre's current capital campaign.
Administrative Assistant
When I think of someone staying involved with the theatre I think of me. I remember the day I drove past and my daughter said, "Turn in here, Mom. They need a receptionist.” So here I am, 14 years later. I went from part-time receptionist to full-time Subscriptions Manager and back to part-time receptionist. During that time, my family and friends have become active in life here at PLTC. We all look forward to plays, auctions, and Summerstage. The Panto has become a big part of our family holiday. We give tickets to friends as wedding and birthday gifts, and Owen passes out brochures at his office. A few from his office have become single ticket buyers and Family Series subscribers. I'm very happy I turned in here 14 years ago.
Each year I got a call from a man who just loved the Panto (and Andrea spoke to him again this year). His family holiday trip is to PLTC and they love to sit in the first row. One year I spoke to him while he was on the beach. He said his Christmas wouldn't be the same without the Panto!
Owen, my husband, works for a Dutch leasing company in Wayne called De Lage Landen Financial Services. He had been the Chief Risk Officer for the last 13 years before his semi-retirement last year and he still works there on a consulting basis. They often have people from the Netherlands staying here for a few years and also people transferring from around the US.
Emily, my granddaughter, loved Summerstage! She went last year and really looked forward to doing it again this year. She's in 2nd grade at St. Elizabeth School in Chester Springs. She had great stories each day on the drive home. She made instant friends with the other students and exchanged phone numbers for play dates. There were lots of hugs between the kids on the last day of class. She's quick to tell you that she knows the actors in the Panto and feels like a bit of an actor herself.
Ken Mumma
Board Member
My wife, Moira, and I attended plays on occasional basis.
I took an improvisation class for adults (and have regularly taken classes for 15 years since).
Moira and I became subscribers.
One of my instructors told me about People's Light’s work with kids, so I attended some elementary school performances.
I joined the Project Discovery Advisory Board.
Moira and I became annual donors.
I performed in the two Outside the Box seasons.
I founded New Century Bank.
I joined the board of People’s Light.
People's Light staff began using New Century Bank for their personal needs.
I co-chaired a charity auction for People’s Light, inviting our friends to participate
Moira's employer, Citizen Advocacy of Chester County, began using one dress rehearsal each year as an annual fundraiser.
New Century Bank provided a mortgage for People’s Light.
New Century Bank began purchasing subscriptions.
I participated in the Theatre’s Education Department Adult Ensemble production.
I co-chair the Theatre's current capital campaign.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Tea with Snow White!
Thank you to all who entered our "Tea with Snow White" contest! We had a lot of entries but the lucky winner was Lynda Sheehan. Ms. Sheehan and 4 of her guests joined Snow White on stage after the show for tea, and as the following pictures show, fun was had by all.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
More Stories of Engagement
Mary Elizabeth Scallen (on Claire Inie-Richards)
Artistic Associate
Claire connected with People's Light by attending Youth Summerstage in 2004. She took classes at the theatre the following fall, winter, and spring, participating in Resident Director Shannon O'Donnell's Young Women's Ensemble to explore the story of "the changeling child." She attended Youth Summerstage again in 2005 and soon after was asked to audition for an upcoming Main Stage production of The Crucible. Claire continued to attend fall and winter Theatre School classes, working with Teaching Artist Gillian McNally to explore the lives of historical American women. Then she appeared on the Main Stage for the first time in spring 2006 as Mary in The Crucible, playing alongside senior company members to adult and high school audiences. In the summer of 2006, Claire attended Teen Summerstage, led by company members Kathryn Petersen and Michael Cruz, exploring the complicated relationships among characters from Greek myths. That fall, she began a part-time internship at People's Light, assisting Resident Dramaturg Elizabeth Pool with production research. She appeared on the Main Stage for a second time in the spring of 2007 as Curio in Twelfth Night, again playing to both adult and high school audiences. Her dramaturgy internship continued unabated as she earned a lead role in Getting Near to Baby, a production for the Theatre's Family Discovery Series in the spring of 2008. That summer, Claire became a Teen Leader for the Youth Summerstage program. In the fall of 2008, she appeared as The Attendant in a Main Stage and PD High School production of The Persians.
Artistic Associate
Claire connected with People's Light by attending Youth Summerstage in 2004. She took classes at the theatre the following fall, winter, and spring, participating in Resident Director Shannon O'Donnell's Young Women's Ensemble to explore the story of "the changeling child." She attended Youth Summerstage again in 2005 and soon after was asked to audition for an upcoming Main Stage production of The Crucible. Claire continued to attend fall and winter Theatre School classes, working with Teaching Artist Gillian McNally to explore the lives of historical American women. Then she appeared on the Main Stage for the first time in spring 2006 as Mary in The Crucible, playing alongside senior company members to adult and high school audiences. In the summer of 2006, Claire attended Teen Summerstage, led by company members Kathryn Petersen and Michael Cruz, exploring the complicated relationships among characters from Greek myths. That fall, she began a part-time internship at People's Light, assisting Resident Dramaturg Elizabeth Pool with production research. She appeared on the Main Stage for a second time in the spring of 2007 as Curio in Twelfth Night, again playing to both adult and high school audiences. Her dramaturgy internship continued unabated as she earned a lead role in Getting Near to Baby, a production for the Theatre's Family Discovery Series in the spring of 2008. That summer, Claire became a Teen Leader for the Youth Summerstage program. In the fall of 2008, she appeared as The Attendant in a Main Stage and PD High School production of The Persians.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
We had a blast at Malvern Victorian Christmas '09!
This past Saturday, People's Light Resident Teaching Artist Jess Conda taught an acting workshop as part of Malvern Victorian Christmas (for more information, click here). We had a great group of kids, several enthusiastic parents, and a good time was had by all. Check out their website, and please join us next year!
Monday, December 7, 2009
PLTC's Adult Ensemble present: THE TEMPEST
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Ceal Phelan
Steinbright Stage
Saturday, December 12th at 8pm
Sunday, December 13th at 2pm
Friday, December 18th at 8pm
Saturday, December 19th at 8pm
Sunday, December 20th at 2pm
This production is free. Donations are accepted and appreciated at the door.
Seating is on a first come, first served basis and we strongly recommend arriving at the theatre at least a half hour before show time.
Please call Sara Waxman at 610.647.1900 ext. 116 for more information, or if someone in your party requires special seating.
For more information, see the flyer here.
_______________________________________
The Adult Ensemble is a group of adult theatre school students who have worked together for five years. Their previous productions have included The Dining Room, The Laramie Project, Our Country’s Good, An Invitation to Visit Harrison Texas, and Light up the Sky.
Directed by Ceal Phelan
Steinbright Stage
Saturday, December 12th at 8pm
Sunday, December 13th at 2pm
Friday, December 18th at 8pm
Saturday, December 19th at 8pm
Sunday, December 20th at 2pm
This production is free. Donations are accepted and appreciated at the door.
Seating is on a first come, first served basis and we strongly recommend arriving at the theatre at least a half hour before show time.
Please call Sara Waxman at 610.647.1900 ext. 116 for more information, or if someone in your party requires special seating.
For more information, see the flyer here.
_______________________________________
The Adult Ensemble is a group of adult theatre school students who have worked together for five years. Their previous productions have included The Dining Room, The Laramie Project, Our Country’s Good, An Invitation to Visit Harrison Texas, and Light up the Sky.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
A Day in the Life - Jeff Coon
Another exciting "A Day in the Life," this time with actor Jeff Coon. Jeff plays the genius director from Russia, Vladimir Von Upchuck in Snow White, and appeared as Prince Aiden of Sargasso in last year's Cinderella. Here are his photos:
Jeff (center) as Vladimir.
Jeff (center) as Vladimir.
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