In-School Performances

UNDERGROUND RAILWAY THEATER

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“THE MAGIC OF THEATER TRULY COMES ALIVE IN HOW DO YOU SPELL HOPE?; ONE OF THE BEST PIECES OF FAMILY THEATER IN A LONG TIME.”
The Boston Herald
“MESSAGES OF COURAGE, COOPERATION AND ACTING ON ONE'S BELIEFS WERE CONVEYED TO OUR STUDENTS IN A WAY THAT THEY WON'T FORGET.”
Bancroft School, Worchester, MA
“PROFOUND IS THE WORD!”
The Los Angeles Times
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Tours & Projects

How Do You Spell Hope?

A powerful celebration of literacy and reading, weaving together inspiring stories of courage and compassion on a giant pop-up book set.

Written by Kennedy Center award-winning playwright Melinda Lopez, How Do You Spell Hope? inspires young readers through the story of Frederick Douglass.  Douglass, a former slave, taught himself to read, and became a brilliant writer and one of our nation’s great orators.  As Douglass himself proclaimed, “On the day I learned to read, I became free”.

In addition to the central story of Douglass, the play weaves two other true and inspiring narratives of individuals who overcame great obstacles to learn to read:  the stories of Peter Hams (a teenage star athlete who overcomes dyslexia) and Marta Gonzales (an immigrant woman who learns to read as an adult in English, her second language). The set is a giant theatrical pop-up book, and the turn of each page reveals surprises, including puppets of various kinds who interact beautifully with the award-winning actors.   The combination of live actors, music, and puppets is sophisticated, surprising, and delightful.

Hope dovetails with any curriculum about African American history, as well as any programs in literacy, English, and community building.  A Study Guide is available.  Complimentary Q&A is offered after the show.  Workshops are also available for students or teachers in addition to a performance.

Age Appropriateness: Grades 3-12 and families
Duration: 60 Min (add 10 additional minutes if a Q&A is requested)
Number of Performers: 2 Actors, 1 Puppeteer

This production will not be available for the 10-11 season