PRODUCER | CREATIVE TEAM

ENCHANTMENT THEATRE COMPANY (PRODUCER) - Enchantment Theatre Company has produced original theater for school groups and families since 2000 when it was established as a non-profit arts organization in Philadelphia. The company presents only original work based on classic stories from children's literature, using its signature blend of masked actors, pantomime, magic, large-scale puppets, and original music. Building on the more than 35 years of theatrical experience of its artistic directors, Enchantment has quickly become known for high quality imaginative productions, not only in its home city but throughout the United States and the Far East.

Enchantment has toured its original productions all over the world, appearing each year in almost all the lower 48 states. It has performed in such sophisticated urban arts venues as New York’s Lincoln Center, Washington, D.C.’s John F. Kennedy Center, and Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center and Annenberg Center. The company has also toured the Far East six times, performing in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. Enchantment has shared the stage with more than 65 orchestras in North America in its special symphonic works that pair great stories with great music for the benefit of school and family audiences.

Enchantment Theatre Company is a non-profit arts organization resident in Philadelphia. They have been guided by their mission: to create original theater for young audiences and families. They accomplish this through the imaginative telling of stories that inspire, challenge and enrich their audience, on stage and in the classroom. All of Enchantment’s productions are original adaptations of new and classic fables, myths and legends, combined with original music. Drawing on great theatrical traditions from around the world—from the Bunraku theater of Japan, to the shadow puppets of Indonesia, to commedia dell’arte—Enchantment weaves these together in compelling productions of beauty and inspiration. They employ a unique combination of art forms to tell their stories: masked actors, magic and illusion, puppets (often life-size) and mime, all set to classical or original music.

CURRICULUM | AGES

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

• Literature
• Visual Arts and Drawing
• Performing Arts: Theater, Music, Dance
• Language Arts: Reading and Creative Writing as storytelling with a focus on the concepts of imagination, creativity and problem-solving

RECOMMENDED AUDIENCES
PUBLIC AUDIENCE: All ages
SCHOOL TIME AUDIENCE: Ages 5–10; Grades K–5

FACTS | STATS

• Newbery Honor Book and an ALA Notable Book

• NEA Teachers’ list of top 100 books for children

• Common Core Standards Exemplar Text

• Common Core Standards Recommended Reading List

• NY Public Library 100 Great Children’s Book List

PRODUCER | CREATIVE TEAM

PENGUIN BOOKS PUBLICATIONS

“The Enchantment Theatre Company’s production of Peter Rabbit Tales has captured the essence of Beatrix Potter’s work through their careful study of both the text of the original tales and research into our Beatrix Potter illustration archive. Through a well-crafted script, dynamic choreography and simple but effective staging, the show makes for an absorbing and enjoyable experience for all. We are delighted to endorse this excellent production.” - Ronnie Fairweather, Creative Director, Penguin Books UK

PRESENTERS     

“As usual Enchantment Theatre presented a fantastic children’s theatre production. Teachers and students alike were mesmerized by the artistry of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. Thank you for continuing to produce literary-based work that is accessible and magical!” – Jaymi Crowley, Cam-Plex, Gillette, WY

“I don’t really remember the last time we presented a children’s event where the kids were quite this captivated.” – Rodney Rock, Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, University of Connecticut

“Let me begin by saying Peter Rabbit Tales was the third production from Enchantment Theatre that we have had in the theater since I have been here. From a presenter’s point of view, I admire the way your company blends music, dance and theater into each high quality presentation. For Peter Rabbit Tales I thought the sets, costumes, and masks were exquisite. I find the Enchantment Theatre Company consistently produces some of the highest quality theater for children that I have ever seen.” – John Healey, Executive Theater Manager, Weinberg Center for the Arts, Frederick, MD

“I had the opportunity to speak with my neighbors who attended [Peter Rabbit Tales] with their two young daughters... The first comment was this was the best children’s performance they had seen so far out of about 10 shows.... Further he explained that the beginning of the show when the actors come out and are introduced before donning their final costume pieces was brilliant. It really connected with the children and created an atmosphere that didn’t frighten the children. So kudos on an excellent production.” – David Baylor, Director of Operations, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas, VA

“Many children’s tours have very little scenery and I think that does their shows a disservice - your full-stage set got a review of ‘magical’ by the locals. I got a lot of positive feedback on the lobby displays as well, that was well-liked and added more depth to the evening and I think will help me in building a reputation for future shows that I want to bring in..... One anecdote I can share was one young mother called me the following day saying that it was the first show that her son had ever seen and could she get a poster to frame for his room? That’s the kind of impact I want to have with bringing in children’s shows!” – Cat Nelson, Facility Manager, Washington Community Center Theater, Washington, IA

“We enjoyed Peter Rabbit Tales very much.... The production was very well done. I especially like that the narration coming from the sound systems, it was very loud and clearly spoken - it reminded me when my mother used to read stories to me. The music was wonderful and so were the sets... Feedback from many of our members echoed these sentiments, including one mother who told me last weekend that since seeing the show, her son, who was previously only interested in playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, now wants to play Peter Rabbit all the time!” – Theresa Remick, Managing Director, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

PRESS

“Enchantment Theatre Company—one of the nation’s most revered organizations for cross-generational theater.” – Philadelphia Weekly

“When Enchantment Theatre Company is in town it’s never fairytale theatre as usual.” – Los Angeles Times

“Sometimes ‘etc’ simply means ‘and so forth,’ but when ETC is used as shorthand for the Enchantment Theatre Company, it translates to ‘Everything That’s Captivating.’” – The Free Lance-Star, Manassas, VA

“It’s not just the superb design work and eye-popping special effects that make Enchantment Theatre’s shows unique. Beautifully choreographed, the company’s movement-based productions effectively mix mime and dance into a stylized ballet of color and sound that entrances both the kids and their adult companions.” – Philadelphia Weekly

“Everything about this world-class production is inventive and endearing; it fully captures the spirit of the beloved stories, the essence of childhood, and the imagination of the audience, both young and old. [Peter Rabbit Tales] – Phindie.com, Philadelphia, PA

“The entire play is narrated by a beautiful voice so that it makes everyone in the audience feel as if a Peter Rabbit book has dropped to the floor, popped open, and came to life in front of us.” – HipsterHenry.com, Philadelphia, PA

NATIONAL RESEARCH STUDY

In 2018,  Enchantment Theatre Company collaborated with  Amanda Mayes, Ph.D., Manager of Education at Purdue Convocations on  a national research study examining the impact of a live performance on students' literacy skills.

This study—the first of its kind— gives us scientific data to prove what we have always known: that children’s reading comprehension and social skills are increased by attending live theatre. 

The study involved the participation of more than 7,000 children from 116 schools across the country. All of the students read My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett and attended Enchantment’s performance of the same book. Half the students read the book and then took a test on their comprehension before seeing the play, while the other half read the book, saw the play and then took the test. The test assessed not only the student’s knowledge of the characters, plot and vocabulary, but also their tolerance levels and empathy. Results showed that 80% of students who took the test after attending the performance had a higher score than the group that only read the book before they took the test. It’s an astounding confirmation for children’s theater and its connection to advancing both literacy and pro-social behaviors.

For artistic and technical questions contact:
Landis Smith, Artistic Director-Production
267-481-0108

For tour bookings contact:
Emilie Schoenfeld - The Brad Simon Organization, Inc.
203-351-9498