PHILADELPHIA, PA – Philadelphia Title I Schools will receive free access to a virtual, world-premiere children’s musical, The P-Funk Posse: The Story of the Three Little Pigs, created and performed by Walnut Street Theatre’s Touring Outreach Program. The new virtual show will be released for free this month to both Title 1 Schools and to the theatre’s partnering outreach schools from the last five years, thanks to a generous grant from PECO. The Walnut’s aim is to increase arts access to schools affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am elated that our team has created this delightful new work for schools in our community and thankful to PECO for sponsoring this effort,” said Bernard Havard, Walnut Street Theatre President and Producing Artistic Director. “A key element of the Walnut’s mission is to use theatre skills and training to reinforce social-emotional learning, to teach students vital life lessons, and to empower the next generation of young artists.”
Walnut Street Theatre’s Touring Outreach Program, which produced in-person work prior to the pandemic, has adjusted to touring virtually over the past year with its spoken-word musical, The Me I Foresee. The Walnut now celebrates its second virtual outreach show, The P-Funk Posse, with this release to Title 1 and partnering schools. Both shows, along with an interactive study guide for each, will be available to purchase for other schools. The Walnut’s Touring Outreach Program aims to resume live performances in Greater Philadelphia Area schools beginning in January of 2023, with a live version of The P-Funk Posse and a new musical, Circles. Both of these shows can be booked now.
The P-Funk Posse: The Story of the Three Little Pigs takes the familiar tale of “The Three Little Pigs” and adds a new musical twist audiences have never seen. The musical features an original book by Logan Gabriel Schulman, lyrics by WST Teaching Artist Marques Jon DeLeon and hip-hop arrangement by WST Teaching Artist Joshua Hillard. The P-Funk Posse tells the story of the three piggy siblings as they strive towards music superstardom. However, their selfish manager Willy (AKA the big bad wolf) has other plans. Packed with songs, kid-friendly humor, and potent lessons for social-emotional growth, The P-Funk Posse is geared towards students grades K-3. The P-Funk Posse is sponsored by PECO.
ABOUT THE WALNUT STREET THEATRE TOURING OUTREACH PROGRAM
Walnut Street Theatre celebrates 30 years of bringing high-quality professional theatre to schools across the Delaware Valley. Its Touring Outreach Company introduces students to the art of theatre through age appropriate, curriculum-based pieces, which are socially relevant, entertaining and exciting. In a typical year, the Touring Outreach Company performs over 400 shows, reaching more than 100,000 students annually. Each season, the company offers new productions and travels to schools and community organizations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. These low-cost programs help teachers link the arts to their curriculum, making theatre available, accessible, and engaging.
ABOUT THE WALNUT STREET THEATRE
Walnut Street Theatre is America’s Oldest Theatre and the most popular theatre company in Philadelphia. As a producer of live theatre, many of the artists on the stage, in the orchestra and behind the scenes are from the Philadelphia area. As a non-profit institution, the Walnut is recognized nationally for bringing affordable theatre and diverse stories to more subscribers than any other theatre company in the world. In addition to its five Mainstage productions, popular Walnut Street Theatre for Kids Series and Independence Studio on 3 Series, the Walnut’s education and outreach programs bring live theatre to over 100,000 students, teachers, parents, and kids every year.
825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107–5195 | 215-574-3550 VISIT US AT WalnutStreetTheatre.org
