School Play
A live, documentary theatre collaboration conceived by Arden and co-created with theatre artists Seth Bauer and Edward Sobel, School Play was envisioned as a way to make the ongoing crisis in Pennsylvania’s public education system relatable to more citizens and underscore the need for a viable, sustainable method of funding our schools.
Commissioned in 2014 by advocacy organization PCCY (Public Citizens for Children & Youth), School Play was developed from over 100 interviews with students, parents, educators and politicians across Pennsylvania. The play premiered at The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on April 8 and 9, 2015 then toured Pennsylvania for two and a half weeks in October 2015.
Witty, provocative, and resonant, the seventy-five minute play is sculpted entirely of verbatim dialogue. At a moment in time when inequality is the expectation and ambition a privilege, School Play puts a human face to the daily challenges of trying to obtain or deliver the “thorough and efficient” public education mandated by Pennsylvania’s constitution.
Supporters of public education statewide — or anywhere else for that matter — (it is a critical national issue) are invited to download and perform the play full-length or in abridged versions for fundraiser readings, full productions or pop-up performances that will help bring their community into the conversation about education.
Download School Play for free at www.schoolplaypa.org or contact Arden for more information.
Press
Huffington Post: This New Play Brings Pennsylvania’s School Funding Crisis to Life
Philadelphia Inquirer: SCHOOL PLAY makes funding crisis personal
Philadelphia Daily News: Play dramatizes PA School Funding crisis
NBC10: SCHOOL PLAY Addressing Budget Issues
Newsworks WHYY: SCHOOL PLAY spotlights Pennsylvania’s education funding quandary
KYW Newsradio: New Play at Constitution Center puts Education Funding under the lights
Delaware County News: Stage production ‘School Play’ brings education funding issues to light.
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Greater Johnstown School District Has Starring Role in Play about Education Funding.
More Information: The full script of School Play is available: