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Be a friend to Theatre and Performance Studies! Help sponsor two original films and a new theatrical production entitled: Centralia: The Fire Below.
KU announces remake of the play Centralia, the saga of a Pennsylvania mining community consumed by an underground mine fire and the people who stayed.
More than 25 years ago, playwright and director, Dr. Deryl Johnson created a play based upon the on-going fire under Centralia, Pennsylvania. In his new remake, Centralia: The Fire Below, Johnson updates the original production with new interviews, media, a look at the graffiti highway, and explores new developments in the town’s history. The play features video, photographs and two original films: The Murder and Trial of Alexander Rea, and Centralia Hill, Silent No More. More than 50 students, alumni and faculty are participating in the films which are being shot at Eckley Miners’ Village (in Weatherly, PA and the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine and Steam Train in Ashland, PA.)
Your donation will help cover the costs of both film shoots (including transportation, costumes, and meals) and provide free screenings of the recorded production. The production will be recorded by students and faculty from the Department of Cinema, Television and Media Production during its premiere at Philadelphia’s Plays & Players Theatre (Sept. 17-19, 2026). Additionally, the recording will be and be provided to libraries and historical societies in Ashland, Mt. Carmel and Shamokin areas at no cost.
Fun Fact: Both Centralia, PA and Kutztown University were founded in 1866.
For more information go to: www.kutztown.edu/Centralia or email: Centralia@kutztown.edu.
When supporting Kutztown University artists,
you have the chance to make an even greater impact campus-wide!
Friends of Theatre and Performance Studies fund directly supports students by offsetting cost associated with production and attendance of performances at Kutztown University. Students will be able to participate in off-campus productions when your donations are applied to production expenses, food, lodging and experiential learning opportunities!
The KU College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) appreciates your support
Thank you!
