People's Light

Founded in 1974, People's Light is one of Pennsylvania's largest professional nonprofit theaters and is known for its resident company of artists, eclectic mix of productions, and innovative work with young people. The company produces a mix of world premieres, contemporary plays, and fresh approaches to classic texts. Center Project grants to People's Light include New Play Frontiers, a new play development program matching six writers with specific Philadelphia-area neighborhoods; a production of The Winter's Tale, directed by Scottish director Guy Hollands of Glasgow's Citizen's Theatre and the National Theatre of Scotland; and the premiere of music-theater work Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole, which subsequently made its West Coast debut at Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. In 2016, People's Light received a Center Advancement grant to conduct an in-depth market analysis and develop the company's approach to diversifying its programs, attracting new audiences, and deepening relationships with existing audiences. In 2019, People's Light received a Project grant to produce the world premiere of Mushroom, written by Obie Award-winning playwright Eisa Davis, which explores the immigrant experience through stories of a suburban Philadelphia mushroom farming community. In 2021, People's Light received a Re:imagining Recovery grant to remodel public and backstage areas of its mainstage theater to more safely and comfortably accommodate performers and audiences, laying the groundwork to meet long-term inclusion and accessibility goals.