People's Light & Theatre to Kick Off COMMUNITY MATTERS 2014, 3/17

Community Matters is a series of free events presented in partnership between People's Light and numerous local organizations to spark dialogue about vital issues in our community. Performed readings of new plays are the centerpiece of each evening. Our partner organizations will be there to capture the enthusiasm and excitement that can come from the emotional response to a work of art, and then a well-led public discussion forum. This third season of Community Matters includes new scripts focused on racism, identity, local history, and the healing power of music.

The readings include Hold These Truths on March 17, Singing Our Way Through on May 19 and New Play Frontiers on June 9, 2014. People's Light & Theatre is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355. The readings are free, but reservations are required. For reservations call 610.644.3500 or visit PeoplesLight.org.

Artistic Director Abigail Adams says, "Through this collaboration we hope to create new stories that capture the passions and concerns of our community members. We continue to build relationships in our community with organizations and individuals, to deepen engagement with our work, and provide a forum for discussion of important issues."

HOLD THESE TRUTHS

By Jeanne Sakata

Directed by Lisa Rothe

Monday, March 17, 2014 7 pm

Leonard C. Haas Stage

Inspired by a true story. During World War II in Seattle, University of Washington student Gordon Hirabayashi agonizes over U. S. government orders to forcibly remove and mass incarcerate all people of Japanese ancestry on the West Coast. As he struggles to reconcile his country's betrayal with his passionate belief in the U. S. Constitution, Gordon journeys toward a greater understanding of America's triumphs---and a confrontation with its failures.

Community Partners include the National Constitution Center, the American Friends Service Committee, the ACLU of Greater Philadelphia, and the Japanese American Citizens League - Philadelphia Chapter

Alastair Moock and Friends Present:

SINGING OUR WAY THROUGH

Monday, May 19, 2014 7 pm

Leonard C. Haas Stage

Alastair's Grammy-nominated album, Singing Our Way Through: Songs for the World's Bravest Kids, grew out of songs co-written with his daughter after she was diagnosed with leukemia in 2012 (she's doing great). Since the album's release last summer, Alastair has brought this family-friendly album - and live performances - to hospitals, clinics, and camps around the country using his music to share messages of hope and healing.

Community Partners include the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Nemours Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders

NEW PLAY FRONTIERS

Eisa Davis, Colman Domingo, Kate Fodor, Karen Hartman, Dominique Morisseau, Kathryn Petersen

Monday, June 9, 2014 7 pm

Leonard C. Haas Stage

Six leading American playwrights are in residency in local communities to learn about and be inspired by our region's history and current social issues as part of the New Play Frontiers program at People's Light. This evening will consist of staged readings of work by these New Play Frontiers writers, who will also share the experiences and discoveries that will inspire their new writing during this residency program.

Community Partners in West Chester, Phoenixville, Chester Springs, Kennett Square, Germantown, and Philadelphia all support these residencies and the new plays that will emerge from them.

All readings are FREE, but reservations are requested. To reserve call 610.644.3500 or visit PeoplesLight.org.

ABOUT PEOPLE'S LIGHT: People's Light, a professional, not-for-profit theatre in Chester County, Pennsylvania, makes plays drawn from many sources to entertain, inspire, and engage our community. We extend our mission of making and experiencing theatre through arts education programs that excite curiosity about, and deepen understanding of, the world around us. These plays and programs bring people together and provide opportunities for reflection, discovery, and celebration. Founded in 1974, we produce seven to nine plays each season, in two black box theatres with 350 and 170 seats respectively, mixing world premieres, contemporary plays, and fresh approaches to classic texts for our 6-Play and Discovery Series.

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