Our acclaimed and famed Panto tradition is turning sweet sixteen this year! As a subscriber, you're probably familiar with this zany British theatrical style, but if you need to brush up on all that a Pantomime entails, you can read more about it here.

"What I love about Panto is what I love about any great experience in the theatre: it invites us to look at things in a new way and imagine a better world for ourselves. It’s a mindful assemblage, a juxtaposition of things that initially don't make sense as a whole, but suddenly you put them together and something happens that sheds a new kind of light on the world."

You've heard of Robin Hood. You're familiar with Little Red Riding Hood. What, then, is Little Red Robin Hood, you ask? Both in their 16th year, our Panto and Greta Thunberg—a Swedish climate change advocate—aim to strike a message of change and activism in the hearts and minds of the young and old alike. The fearless and eloquent Thunberg served as inspiration for Petersen's creation of the titular character. Seeking justice through strength, Amelia, a.k.a. Little Red (Viveca Chow) navigates a 1940s/Medieval world fraught with the evils of villianess Lady Nottingham (Mary Elizabeth Scallen) in the wake of Robin Hood's untimely death.

Spotlight: Student Matinees

Panto-time excites us for many reasons: among them, the ability to welcome thousands of students. So far this year, we have 30 schools across Chester, Delaware, Berks and Montgomery counties planning to attend the winter spectacle. For many of these young people, their visit to People's Light is their first time experiencing professional theatre. With a form as inventive, generous, and fun as a Panto, it’s a great introduction!

Did you know? Over the years, People’s Light has welcomed 500,000+ students with free or deeply discounted tickets through our school matinee programs.

At last year’s student matinees, some teachers shared:  

"‘Powerful’ was the word most commonly used. The students are excited to attend a play next year.”

—Elizabeth, Bayard Rustin High School

“We had an amazing experience! The students had clearly shared a lot about their experience with their parents—which is amazing for middle schoolers!—and the parents expressed gratitude for providing this opportunity for their children.”

—Colleen, Upper Merion Middle School

We eagerly await the buses (and buses, and buses, and buses!) of young people who will fill the Leonard C. Haas Theatre with their spirit, wonder, and laughter in the coming weeks.

If you have interest in learning more about our school matinee program or group sales options, please contact Kelly Benedict at benedict@peopleslight.org or 610.647.1900 x111.