While working at American Place Theater over eighteen years ago, I co-founded a theater based literacy program with the artistic director, Wynn Handman, called Literature to Life. Literature to Life performances began as verbatim adaptations of novels on the New York City public high school reading list, performed by a single actor who engages the students directly with the words and emotions of the novel. Today Literature to Life has a roster of over thirty books and performs all across the country in theaters, art centers, libraries, and classrooms, with pre and post show discussions facilitated by a master teaching artist. The response of students, teachers, and parents is amazing.
If there is ever a day I get discouraged about theater’s importance or ability to reach a broad audience, I attend a Literature to Life performance. It’s that inspiring. We also do longer residencies in schools and professional development; our company of actors and teaching artists is astounding and as dedicated as our staff. The following titles are titles I’ve adapted, it’s probably the most gratifying work I do. Click here for more info...
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If Beale Street Could Talk novel by James Baldwin (1974). Created for Harlem Stage's yearlong James Baldwin Festival this is a powerful novel about a young pregnant woman and her family struggling with the criminal justice system to free the innocent man she loves and father of her child. Told in her voice it is a story suffused with love and hope despite all obstacles and injustice. |
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Zora Folk Tales by Zora Neale Hurston (2013-) |
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Southern Voices: To Kill a Mocking Bird; Their Eyes Were Watching God; As I Lay Dying (2012)
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The Giver by Lois Lowry (2011-) |
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Tell Tale Heart and other POEtry by Edgar Allan Poe (2011-) |
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The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz (2010-) |
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County of Kings by Lemon Andersen (2009-) |
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The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros in repertory for eighteen years. (1995-) |
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Sassafras, Cypress, and Indigo by Ntozake Shange, adapted from the novel for Literature to Life with Lenore Pemberton. (1994) |
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This Shit is Real & Untitled Hamlet - two plays created and performed at American Place Theater with high school students over two semesters, while developing a new program, Urban Writes, subsequently a recipient of a large NEA Arts Plus grant. (Video components: Dean Mitchell). |
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