Ever see a play so good “not even Shakespeare could do it?”

That was the reaction from William Penn School District Superintendent Joe Bruni on “School Play,” a recently performed production that tackles a subject Bruni knows all too well: the school funding dilemma.

Commissioned by the Philadelphia non-profit Public Citizens for Children and Youth, “School Play” is the product of interviewing over 100 administrators, teachers, students and parents across the state about how school funding has affected them.

The script for the single act, documentary-style production was created using quotes from the persons interviewed and shows the funding crisis from all perspectives.

“To put that into a theater production where it’s just information from interviews… it was quite well done,” said Bruni. “(It’s) a very powerful theater piece.”

Bruni’s story about William Penn School District, which has been deemed a failing school district, is mentioned in the production, noting the district’s limited resources and the rise of charter schools. He, himself, was included as a character.

Bruni said the impact of the production was “powerful.”

“You could feel the emotion in the audience as they were listening to the portrayal by these actors,” said Bruni.

Upper Darby School District Superintendent Rick Dunlap, Jr., was also interviewed for the play, discussing funding issues, mandates and raising student achievement.

“We felt we could contribute by making people aware of the diverse needs students, teachers, administrators, parents, and board members face on a daily basis. Sharing the difficulties we encounter around these issues might motivate people to come together to help find a solution that allows Pennsylvania to fund its schools properly,” said Dunlap.

Although she was not interviewed for the piece, Ridley Superintendent Lee Ann Wentzel really praised “School Play.”

“It’s an interesting way to tell the story about funding schools in Pennsylvania from a variety of perspectives in an ‘entertaining’ way,” said Wentzel. “Not everybody gets a way to hear those perspectives, and it engages people in conversation.”

The PCCY plans to make the script available for free for all interested parties who wish to perform the play.

“We want everyone; from Philadelphia to Erie to Scranton to Johnstown, to pick up a script and hold their own School Plays in their communities so more people can become aware of how funding cuts hurt our children,” said PCCY Executive Director Donna Cooper in a prepared statement.

Bruni said it should be required viewing for all elected officials, and Wentzel hopes to bring the production to Ridley High School.

Delaware County News Network – April 15, 2015 – Read article online