Big Read
THE BIG READ
Explore Mark Twain’s celebrated novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer with People’ s Light
What’s The Big Read?
• A nation-wide program designed to restore reading to the center of American culture, sponsored by The National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest
• The Big Read at People’s Light explores Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer with community members in a series of public events.
• The Big Read at People’s Light also partners the Theatre with two major library systems and three local middle schools to connect challenged readers with the novel and its author.
How can I participate?
• From January through March 2011, attend our Big Read public events—enjoy readings of Twain’s best stories, see the new stage adaptation of the novel, spend an evening with Twain as portrayed by actor Tom Teti
• Donate to support the intensive workshops the Theatre will do with local middle schools and libraries to help young readers delve into a quintessential American story.
Which public events are free?
Mark Twain in Story and Spirit: Friday, February 4, 2011, 7-9pm in the Farmhouse Banquet Room
A family evening featuring:
• A “teaser” performance by actor Tom Teti as Twain
• An interactive journey through Twain’s colorful life
• A scene from the stage production of the novel
• Discount ticket vouchers and copies of the book for young readers
Mark Twain Onstage at People’s Light: Mon, February 28, 2011, 7 – 9pm on the Main Stage
An intimate, witty, tongue-in-cheek evening with the author himself, featuring:
• Company favorite Tom Teti as Twain
• A post-show conversation with the artist
Which public events require a ticket?
Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, adapted for the stage by Laura Eason, February 17 – March 13, 2011 on the Main Stage. Check out the production page for details.
What’s happening with libraries?
People’s Light is partnered with the Chester County Library Systems and the Delaware County Library Systems to create a series of interactive book discussions and theatre workshops for reading groups and members of the local community.
What’s happening with schools?
People’s Light is also collaborating with reading-challenged students from The Pathway School in Norristown, Delaware Valley Friends School in Paoli and Renaissance Academy in Phoenixville in a series of spring workshops. These intensive seminars aim to connect young readers more deeply to Tom’s adventures, his social milieu, and the discoveries he makes as he finds his way through his country childhood. After the workshops, students will attend the stage production of the novel, and participate in post-show seminars with the Theatre’s teaching artists.
You mentioned donations. How can I help?
Your contributions to The Big Read will allow People’s Light to provide copies of the novel to all student participants in our partner schools and libraries, as well as additional reading support for the most challenged students: audio books and annotated editions that define new vocabulary words as they arise in the story.
Your donation also funds the team of senior teaching artists who will lead the school and library workshops, seeking to instill in struggling students a renewed interest in reading as a source of pleasure, as well as a key learning tool.
To donate to this vital educational project, please contact Jane Moss, Development Director, at 610.647.1900 or moss@peopleslight.org.
For more information about The Big Read nationwide, please visit www.NEABigRead.org.