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An Education in Prudence - How it all started aka How I met Beth Pt.1

Writer's picture: theopentheatretheopentheatre

Get to know how OTP's An Education in Prudence came to be with this 3 part blog series from Playwright, Stefan Lanfer.


In March, 2013, I was at a work event at the Barr Foundation – when a complete stranger crossed the crowded room, making a beeline for me. “

“Hi, I’m Beth,” she said, “I hear you’re a playwright.”

“I am,” I said. “How can I help?”

“There’s this story,” she said, “that has gripped me since grad school. I’ve always imagined it on stage. Can we talk?”

“OK,” I said.

I might not have given the interaction much more thought. But Beth, I would soon discover, is the type to follow through. So, some weeks later, at the Flat Back Coffee Company on Broad Street, we met again.


Beth Miller - Historian

Beth Miller - Historian, Inspiration

Over lattes I launched into the advice-giving I had the impression she was looking for. I suggested books she might find useful, and shared ideas on how to go about writing a play. Beth politely listened. She asked questions. She took notes.

But, when finally I stopped talking, she made it clear she had no pretensions as a playwright herself, but was only looking for one, who might get as excited about this story as she was.

“Oh,” I said, embarrassed. “Would you tell it to me?”

And then I listened, took notes, and asked questions, as she recounted the story she’d first chronicled in her masters thesis, “Prudence Crandall: Challenging Race and Gender Boundaries in Antebellum America.


Canterbury School for Girls circa 1820's & Portrait of Prudence Crandall

Soon, I was lost in this and other books Beth pointed me to. And, boy did I fall for this story.

And here we are, almost five years later, anticipating a world premiere by Open Theatre Project.

How Beth found me, and why she trusted me with this story, I don’t know. I am so very glad she did.

Up next in this 3 part series, PT. 2 - How Prudence Broke Through coming later this week...

 

Don't forget to get your TICKETS NOW for OTP's An Education in Prudence - February 9-24 at St. John's Church, Jamaica Plain

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Your gift to OTP supports local artists, expands theatrical opportunities in your community, and provides the base on which we build quality, engaging, thoughtful work. Consider increasing the impact of your gift by making it monthly!

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