Special Collections

Synopsis:
King Henry VIII is trapped in purgatory, bound to his throne by a sinister Fool and the ghostly Women in White. Here in his gilded cage, he is forced to relive the sins he committed against his queens, mistresses and people of the court, over and over again, for an eternity. (A one-act version of this play is also available.)

Synopsis:
In the midst of the Great Depression, in a community crushed by the collapse of coal, and isolated by the very mountains they call home, a group of determined librarians take to their horses to reach the people of Eastern Kentucky. With a dedication equal to the US Postal Service, these “Book Women'' deliver more than the books and magazines they carry in their saddlebags. They bring hope. They...

Synopsis:
A pair of feuding modern-day stepsisters wake up at the Akron Women's Rights Convention of 1851, and find themselves on a whirlwind journey through US history. As they face the challenges of each time with fascinating suffragists, abolitionists, and freedom fighters like Sojourner Truth and Ida B. Wells, the young women must decide what they really believe and what kind of world they want to stand...

Synopsis:
The story of Joseph Merrick (a.k.a. The Elephant Man) comes to life in this highly theatrical retelling featuring an ensemble of performers that share the role of Merrick. Whether on a bare stage or with an elaborate set, this adaptable play shines the spotlight on the vivid inner life of Joseph Merrick, and his relationship with the good Dr. Treves. This classic story of the ultimate outcast feel...

Synopsis:
In 1950s Ireland, family means everything. So when Eveline Donnelly abandons her dream of a university education to care for her widowed father, it seems only right and natural. But as she watches her younger sister prepare to leave home, a visit from her mother's ghost makes Evie begin to ask, "When is it my turn?"

Synopsis:
Based on the remarkable true story of Heinz Geiringer -- neighbor and friend of Anne Frank -- we follow the story of a young artist and loving brother living in unconscionable circumstances. A trained musician at only 15 and now forced to live in hiding and silence, Heintz turns to painting and poetry to express his everyday terror but hope of the future. Through Heinz's inspired paintings, nostal...

Synopsis:
An episodic look at the heroic deeds of young women during the Revolutionary War that would be long forgotten if not for oral history. Had these women not been so brave and cunning, would the war have ended the same way? There is Sybil Ludington's overnight ride to gather the militia, Kate, an African Princess, forced into slavery, who saved her master from the British and more. Students and audie...

Synopsis:
In February 1940, a young girl in Iowa pulled the name of a pen pal out of a hat. That name was Anne Frank. There was a brief correspondence before the Nazis invaded The Netherlands. The play is a coming-of-age reflection of that time from 1940-1942. While Nina and Jeannie strive to be “citizens of the world” in their tiny town of Danville, Anne and Margot try to live their lives in a world th...

Synopsis:
When ten-year-old Rebecca Randall’s family falls into dire financial straits, she is sent away from the family farm to live with her two aunts in Riverboro, Maine. Rebecca’s spirited nature and zest for life quickly win her the affection of townspeople and classmates alike, but she must contend with her strict Aunt Miranda, who sees Rebecca’s behavior as nothing but troublesome. Adapted from...

Synopsis:
Mary, Helen, and Ruth are working on a farm in New York as they serve in The Women’s Land Army (WLA), a civilian WWII organization where women replace men in agricultural positions. Despite their differences, Mary, an experienced farmer from Iowa, Helen, a New York City college student, and Ruth, a teenager from nearby Poughkeepsie, are brought together by their contribution to the war effort. H...