| People's Light & Theatre Company | |
|---|---|
| Address | 39 Conestoga Road |
| City | Malvern, Pennsylvania |
| Country | United States |
| Owned by | Non-profit Organization |
| Capacity | Main Stage- 350, Steinbright Stage- 170 |
| Opened | 1974 |
| Rebuilt | 1979 |
| Previous names | PLTC |
| Current use | Professional theatre |
| www.peopleslight.org | |
The People's Light & Theatre Company is a non-profit, professional theatre founded in 1974 in Malvern, Pennsylvania. People's Light produces 8-9 productions per season, as well as plays performed by the Summerstage school program. There is a holiday show each season, and the past 3 years have been comedies in the British pantomime style. Within the PLTC campus there are two buildings, including the Main Stage (350 seats available) and the Steinbright Stage (170 seats available).
People's Light employs approximately 25 resident actors, many of whom have received numerous Barrymore Awards in multiple categories, along with a total of over 200 guest actors from all over the country. Some notable actors have appeared at People's Light, including David Strathairn and Amy Van Nostrand.
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The current People's Light campus is located on 4.7 acres (19,000 m2) of what was once a 1,000-acre (4.0 km2) tract granted by William Penn to the Malin family in 1709. Part of this tract of land was occupied by the Washington's troops after the Battle of Brandywine. The barn that houses the Main Stage of the theatre was renovated in 1978 by Knabb Assiciates. The residence located on the property today was built in 1790 and was used as a private boys' school, which was the first school in East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania. Today it houses Places! Bistro, a French bistro-style restaurant affiliated with the theatre. People's Light & Theatre Company is the third owner of the property, following artist Gager Philips, who owned the property in 1936. [1]
The original site of the theatre was Strode's Mill, in East Bradford Township, Pennsylvania. The mill was built in 1721 and has had a number of uses-- originally used as a grist mill, it is currently being used as an artist's gallery and residence. [2]
In 1987, People's Light started the "Project Discovery" program. The program gives free tickets to surrounding high schools, and holds free workshops and acting classes for students of all economic backgrounds. It is currently partners with 21 high schools from the Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties of Pennsylvania. The program was started by People's Light co-founder Danny Fruchter, with help from Barbara Masters, a fifth-grade teacher from General Wayne Elementary School in Malvern, PA. [3]
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Legacy of Light
The Three Musketeers (The Later Years): A Musical Panto
Kidnapped!
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The Master Builder
Dividing the Estate
Hatchetman
("People's Light & Theatre Company". http://www.peopleslight.org. Retrieved 2010-10-02)
1. "Groundbreaking Ceremony Release" (Press release). Danny S. Fruchter. 1978-10-25.
2. "People's Light & Theatre Company". http://millpictures.com/Mills/details.cfm?millid=163. Retrieved 2007-12-05
3. "The People's Light Journal" (Press release). People's Light & Theater Company. 1991-03-01.
Artful Making: What Managers Need to Know about How Artists Work - many references to People's Light & Theatre Company.
A Gathering of Actors: The People's Light & Theatre Company - Book about the theatre.
People's Light & Theatre Company - Describes in operational detail the activities involved in creating a collaborative and artistic product.
Actor David Strathairn - information about Mr. Strathairn's role in a People's Light & Theatre Company production.
Publishing Profile - Louis Lippa - Louis Lippa is the Playwright-in-Residence for People's Light.
Pennsylvania Department of Education - listing for People's Light on the PA Dept. of Education website.
Resume of Y York - has adapted/written plays for by PLTC
People's Light MySpace People's Light Flickr page