How PigPen Theatre Co. Is Transforming High School Theater
Plus, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed!
Welcome to The Scene, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed. In this week’s email,
Discover how PigPen Theatre Co. (Water for Elephants, The Old Man and the Old Moon) is transforming High School theater through its unique approach to developing theatre!
Don’t forget to check out this week's free read, ‘The NSA's Guide to Winning Friends and Influencing People Or, What We've Learned from Watching You by Don Zolidis.
So, raise the curtain, shine the spotlight, and dive into another thrilling week in the theatre world. Welcome to The Scene.
Sarah Snook to make Broadway debut in ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ by Ruthie Fierberg, Broadway News | The “Succession” star reprises her Olivier Award-winning performance in this transfer from London. Read...
At ‘Yellow Face,’ David Henry Hwang on How He Turned His 'Flop' Into a Hit by Diep Tran, Jeffrey Vizcaíno, Playbill | In 1993, David Henry Hwang's comedy ‘Face Value’ came to Broadway. It then abruptly left after just five performances. Read...
Broadway will welcome Jason Robert Brown’s ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’ in 2025 by Ruthie Fierberg, Broadway News | The new musical will feature a book by Taylor Mac. Read...
‘Water for Elephants’ sets final performance date on Broadway by Andy Lefkowitz, Broadway News | The circus-infused musical received seven 2024 Tony Award nominations. Read...
Disoriented in America: Two Political Plays Reflect a Changed Country by Laura Collins-Hughes, The New York Times | The Off-Broadway plays “Fatherland” and “Blood of the Lamb” explore the grief, anger, and fear of no longer recognizing the country you love. Read...
‘Water for Elephants’ licensing rights acquired by Broadway Licensing Global by Michael Abourizk, Broadway News | The musical features a score by PigPen Theatre Co. and a book by Rick Elice. Read...
Maggie Smith Was Imperious in the Most Delightful Way by Roslyn Sulcas, The New York Times | Throughout her career and on “Downton Abbey,” she perfected the role of the commanding Englishwoman with an arrow-sharp wit. Read...
Broadway Bridges expands to include touring Broadway by Michael Abourizk, Broadway News | The program of the Broadway League aims to expose high school students to theater. Read...
Gavin Creel, Beloved Tony-Winning Star of ‘Hello, Dolly!’ ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ and More, Dies at 48 by Hayley Levitt, Broadway Buzz | Tony Award winner Gavin Creel, who launched his celebrated Broadway career as Jimmy Smith in ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ and whose stage credits include ‘She Loves Me,’ ‘Hello, Dolly!’ and ‘Into the Woods,’ died at home in Manhattan on September 30. Read...
How PigPen Theatre Co. Is Transforming High School Theater
by Zach Dulli, The Scene
Last weekend’s Theatre Educators Conference was electric, crackling with the shared energy of teachers from across the nation, each eager to absorb and exchange wisdom. But this year, amidst the whirlwind of workshops and impassioned networking, two figures stood out, sparking a fervor that seemed to herald a new dawn for high school theatre: Matt Nuernberger and Curtis Gillen of PigPen Theatre Co.
If PigPen Theatre Co. isn't yet on your radar, it's time to recalibrate. This ensemble—a septet of multi-talented artists—has been defying categorization since their serendipitous formation at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama in 2007. They're a band, yes, but also a theatre company, a collective of storytellers who blur the lines between music, drama, and inventive stagecraft.
Their origin story reads like a modern fable. Seven freshmen, Matt Nuernberger, Curtis Gillen, Alex Falberg, Arya Shahi, Ben Ferguson, Dan Weschler, and Ryan Melia, sidelined during their school's annual Playground Festival—a week dedicated to original student-created performances—decided to take matters into their own hands. Armed with cardboard, flashlights, and an abundance of creativity, they crafted a 15-minute folk tale about a hunter's quest for the bear that killed his son. It was low-tech and rough around the edges, but it crackled with a raw energy that captivated their peers.
From these humble beginnings, PigPen carved a path through the theatre world with creations like ‘The Nightmare Story’ and ‘The Mountain Song,’ each a tapestry of folktales and shadow puppetry stitched together with live music. Their innovative storytelling nabbed them consecutive top honors at the New York International Fringe Festival, setting a record.
But the group’s ambitions didn’t peak on the fringe. They soared into the music scene with their debut album “Bremen,” praised by the Huffington Post as one of the year’s best, and followed up with the soulful “Whole Sun.” Their creative journey even took them onto the silver screen alongside Meryl Streep in the film “Ricki and the Flash.”
Their crowning achievement, however, came recently with their Broadway debut, a bold adaptation of Sara Gruen’s ‘Water for Elephants.’ Opening in March of 2024, this spectacle, set against the backdrop of a 1930s circus, snagged seven Tony nominations, including Best Musical. It’s a tale that spins the yarn of a young man who finds belonging and love amid the rough-and-tumble of circus life; narrated by his older self, the musical is a testament to the power of embracing life’s unpredictability.
The buzz at the conference wasn’t just about their Broadway success but the doors their work has opened for schools across the country. In addition to ‘The Nightmare Story’ and ‘The Mountain Song,’ their 2012 musical ‘The Old Man and The Old Moon’ has become extremely popular with high school theatre programs nationwide. With Broadway Licensing Global announcing this week that they had secured the rights to license ‘Water for Elephants, ’ another PigPen Theatre Co. show is set to inspire countless student productions that marry minimalism with magic.
At their workshop during last week's Theatre Education Conference, Matt and Curtis explained that PigPen’s philosophy is simple: great theatre doesn’t need lavish budgets. It thrives on creativity and collaboration, turning everyday materials into magic. This approach not only suits budget-tight theatre programs but also teaches students the art of innovation. In their hands, a piece of cardboard transforms into a soaring bird; a flashlight becomes a starlit night. This approach doesn’t just put on a show; it creates an ensemble. Their work encourages students to wear multiple hats—not just as actors but as musicians, designers, and storytellers. This holistic approach fosters a profound sense of connection and shared purpose, which is invaluable in educational settings.
Any Theatre educator will tell you that their mission extends beyond teaching students to act. It’s about empowering them to think critically, work collaboratively, and solve problems creatively. It was clear from hearing Matt and Curtis speak that PigPen’s work is a beacon in this journey, proving that you don’t need a Broadway budget to deliver a Broadway-caliber performance. As ‘Water for Elephants’ begins to wrap up its Broadway run, now is the ideal time to prepare yourself and your students for its amateur release by diving into the world of PigPen Theatre Co. Explore their productions, listen to their albums, and consider how their inventive spirit could revitalize your theatre program.
Ultimately, theatre is about the stories we tell and the connections we forge. PigPen Theatre Co. reminds us that we can create something truly extraordinary with a little ingenuity and a lot of heart. So, dust off those instruments, pull out the puppetry supplies, and prepare to embark on an artistic adventure that could redefine theatre for your students. The stage is set, the curtain rises, and the story awaits—now it’s your turn to bring it to life.
‘Hadestown’ reveals new West End casting by Tom Millward, WhatsOnStage | We raise our cups to Rachel Tucker and Trevor Dion Nicholas! Read...
Things to Do Around London and the West End (According to Its Actors) by Bryan Campione, Playbill | Marisha Wallace, Zachary James, Caissie Levy, Rob Madge, and Jade Marvin share their favorite spots in the city. Read...
U.K. Premiere of ‘A Night With Janis Joplin’ Concludes West End Run by Andrew Gans, Playbill | Mary Bridget Davies and Sharon Sexton share the role of the late rock icon at the Peacock. Read...
‘White Rabbit Red Rabbit’ Begins in London's West End With Nick Mohammed by Andrew Gans, Playbill | Jonathan Pryce, Stockard Channing, Alfred Enoch, and more will be part of Nassim Soleimanpour’s unique theatrical experience at @sohoplace. Read...
See Who's Joining Rainn Wilson and Aasif Mandvi in L.A. ‘Waiting for Godot’ by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | The Samuel Beckett two-hander begins at the Geffen Playhouse November 6. Read...
Jeff Daniels on How to Bring Audiences Back to the Theatre by Diep Tran, Playbill | At the Purple Rose Theatre Company in Michigan, the Emmy Award-winning actor is trying to make 'em laugh. Read...
‘Passing Strange,’ Starring Olivier Winner Giles Terera, Coming to American Repertory Theatre by David Gordon, TheatreMania | The recent London production sets its American premiere. Read...
Cast Complete for Signature's ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,’ Starring Erin Weaver as Pseudolus by Andrew Gans, Playbill | Matthew Gardiner will direct the Stephen Sondheim-Burt Shevelove-Larry Gelbart musical comedy. Read...
Free Reads of the Week
Read entire plays for free! Playscripts offers a selection of full-length and one-act plays that you can access for free, which is ideal for use in theatre productions, school performances, or competitions. To explore these titles, click on the cover image below or select the "READ FOR FREE" button at the bottom of this section. This action will direct you to the play's page on the Playscripts website. Once there, click "READ NOW" to begin enjoying the play immediately!
The NSA's Guide to Winning Friends and Influencing People Or, What We've Learned from Watching You by Don Zolidis
The Story: Having trouble as the new kid in school? Unlucky in love? Feeling like everyone hates you? You're in luck! Now you can use the National Security Agency's techniques of wiretapping, code-breaking, and data mining to get ahead! There's no time like the present to embrace the surveillance state...because the surveillance state is already embracing you.
Comedy | 40 - 45 minutes | 3 W, 3 M, 23 Any (6-29 actors possible: 3-26 W, 3-26 M) Set: Minimal.
