While in town for The Porch on Windy Hill, "a new play with old music," company artist and talented troubadour David M. Lutken brought some "old music" (and several instruments) to the People's Light garden during our Voter Registration Drive.
Stream our new limited series podcast connected to A Christmas Carol! Members of the cast and creative team feature in bi-weekly episodes.
THE BONEYARD is a limited series podcast featuring the cast of Steve H. Broadnax III's world premiere play, inspired by the rich conversations about self-worth, masculinity, generational trauma, horror, and much more that have emerged throughout the play's development. In this short prelude episode, Keith A. Wallace and Steve discuss the origins of Bonez, from Jordan Peele to "saucy" casting and of course, dominoes.
Our quarterly Zoom Ins, hosted by Producing Artistic Director Zak Berkman, offer the People's Light community a behind-the-scenes look at what's happening on our stages and beyond. In October, Zak caught up with special guest Nell Bang-Jensen, director of this year's A Christmas Carol production.
What is the role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in cultivating tomorrow’s Black leaders? Both Cheyney and Lincoln have nurtured social activists—like Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall—since before the Civil Rights movement. What’s next for these essential institutions as spaces for activism and leadership? Join Cheyney and Lincoln University Presidents, student leaders, and Thurgood actor Brian Marable for this lively discussion.
The cast and crew of Bayard Rustin Inside Ashland embark on a walking tour of West Chester, led by local historian Miss Penny Washington.
A roundtable discussion on BAYARD RUSTIN INSIDE ASHLAND.
Do your ears a favor and check out the latest little concert to emerge from our Lusk Library. These singing voices...pure magic.
We hosted a post-show panel discussion for Hold These Truths that brought together community-based organizations who are deeply connected to the legacy of Japanese Incarceration.
The cast of PERSONALITY: THE LLOYD PRICE MUSICAL give a sneak peek performance in our Lusk Library with 3 songs from the musical!
The cast of our world premiere A Christmas Carol adaptation rocks our Lusk Library with 3 songs from the play!
This video poem about desire within isolation – on your own terms – was written, directed, and edited by theatre artist Kareem Lucas in collaboration with talented artists across the country.
On the blog: an interview project with the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University centering the voices and perspectives of individuals with a range of disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
An inventive reimagining of "Soon I Will Be Done" by actor-musician Zonya Love.
Actors Taysha Marie Canales and Akeem Davis let you in on the story behind their mid-pandemic wedding – a testament to love and the Philly theatre community.
The final track on her new EP Alter EGO, "Brotha George" is actor-musician Miriam A. Hyman's tribute to the many Black and brown lives taken by police brutality.
Our People's Light makers have a variety of scary-fun Halloween crafts to share with you! Check out our playlist of spooky tutorials.
People's Light joins theatres across the nation helping to spread the word about Berkeley Rep's 4-part radio production of Sinclair Lewis’ It Can’t Happen Here, which will be broadcast for free starting Tuesday, October 13 8pm EDT/5pm PDT on YouTube.
Our pals over at The Bearded Ladies Cabaret know how to stay socially-distanced in style. Pro-tip: Having a hard time being heard from a distance? BELT it!
A special Porch Songs trilogy
Who else can't wait to hug their friends again?! But even though we're stuck a socially-distanced porch-length apart, our friends are there to help get us through.
A special Porch Songs trilogy
The filmed version of our cancelled production of Hold These Truths airs on WHYY-TV Thursday, September 24, 2020 at 9pm.
Actor and musician Miche Braden (Nina Simone: Four Women) introduces her new alter ego, Miz Lady, with timely musings from her front porch.
A visual poem by Carra Patterson and Ruffin Prentiss, celebrating "the resilience of the Black spirit in a time when healing is needed most."
"The Black Arts Movement of the 60s and 70s sought to create politically engaged work that explored the African American cultural and historical experience and transformed the way African Americans think and feel about themselves. I hope now, in 2020, this film has the same effect." – Zuhairah McGill
Philadelphia-based theatre artist Brett Robinson shares a snapshot of complex emotion.
"This was an attempt to be honest with myself, and you."
A short film by Steve H. Broadnax III (Bayard Rustin: Inside Ashland, Mud Row), starring Eric B. Robinson Jr. (Mud Row). After witnessing on video the murder of George Floyd by police officers, a young Black father contemplates how he can participate in the Black Lives Matter movement and secure his family's safety.
A video series by Jeannine Osayande (Nina Simone: Four Women; Fences), part of an ongoing collection of oral history and identity stories from the Historically Black Neighborhood in Swarthmore, PA.
A transcript of the community-sourced writing performed at our first-ever virtual edition of Community Matters is now available to read and share.
An ongoing series of self-recorded musical performances by People’s Light artists on their porches, decks, patios, balconies, backyards—or simply by an open window or door.
Thursday, September 3, 7:30pm
Back for Labor Day weekend by popular demand! Fan-favorite troubadour David M. Lutken leads an ensemble of musicians for a virtual hootenanny - and y'all are invited!
Sunday, September 6, 2pm
This will be a replay of the hootenanny on September 3, with live chat capabilities so you can virtually gather and celebrate with fellow music fans.
More creative dispatches – and a few favorite recipes – from parent-artists Jacqueline Goldfinger, Lauren Yee, and Michael Hollinger.
David Lutken and "The Seat of the Pants Band" are back this week for another virtual hootenanny – but what does it actually take to make these folk fests sing?
(hint: it's a bit trickier than your average Zoom call)
Dito van Reigersberg recruited long and short distance pals Maggie Siff (400 miles away!) and Alex Bechtel (just down the street :D) to perform "Dream Operator" by The Talking Heads
Philadelphia-based theatre artist Suli Holum reflects on accountability, faith, and learning from your kids.
Dana Saleh Omar performs: "The World Spins Madly On" by The Weepies
Dispatches from parent-artists around the country juggling 24/7 domestic immersion with creative aspirations. We hired these artists to submit haikus, recipes for sanity, video cries for help, you name it!
While our theatres were unusually quiet, a few (...thousand) new friends tried to move in. Cue Rough & Tumble Honey.
Christopher Colucci performs: "Up On The Roof" by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
Georgina Escobar performs: "La Cigarra" by Raymundo Pérez y Soto
Thursday, May 14, 7:30pm
Fan-favorite troubadour David M. Lutken leads an ensemble of musicians for a virtual hootenanny - and y'all are invited!
Pearl Rhein performs: "The Ballad of Laurette Taylor, Peg Entwistle & Bette Davis" or, "The Lemon Song"
A behind-the-scenes look at our partnership with Main Line Health, providing almost 500 masks to local hospitals every week.
Jessie Fisher and Erik Hellman perform: "I Want To Sing That Rock And Roll" by Gillian Welch
Amanda Morton and Josh Totora perform: "Across the Universe" by the Beatles
Andrew Kane performs: "Purple Heather" or "Wild Mountain Thyme" or "Will Ye Go Lassie, Go" depending on whom you ask. (It's a traditional song.)
Even though we can't be with each other, we can still be there for each other.
"Rainbow Connection" by The Muppets (music and lyrics by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher) with Nic Adams on Guitar and Video
Our signature Saturday classes for ages 5-18 are underway online, with future plans in the works. See sample classes on our website.
Susan McKey performs: "God's Teeth" by Stephen Smith with Stephen Smith on bass
Laura Schellhardt’s play-in-progress, The Game and the Change, draws inspiration from young activists with the Coatesville Youth Initiative, a local organization committed to youth-led, transformational community change.
David M. Lutken performs: "This Land is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie
Whether you missed Shakespeare in Love, want to relive it, or just need more gorgeous music in your life, good news – Alex Bechtel's original score is now on his Bandcamp!
Gordan Hirabayashi took a stand more than 70 years ago – and left a strong legacy of civil rights activism that continues today.
