The Adult Ensemble at People’s Light & Theatre Company will perform OUR COUNTRY’S GOOD by Timberlake Wertenbaker, November 30th – December 3rd at 7:30 p.m. on the Steinbright Stage at People’s Light. David O’Connor directs. The advanced adult class “Tools and Tactics” will also perform AN AFTERNOON OF ONE-ACTS: TIGERS by Kendrew Lascelles and HOME by Laura Cahill on December 1st and 2nd at 2 p.m. on the Steinbright Stage. All performances are free and open to the public. People’s Light & Theatre is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern. For directions call 610.644.3500 or visit www.peopleslight.org.

“We Want More!” People’s Light & Theatre Company heard this exclamation from adult students who had taken classes for several years at the professional theatre in Malvern. These students have their day jobs—engineer, banker, teacher—but they devote their nights to acting and they want to take their acting further. In September, they came together to form the People’s Light Adult Ensemble.

Set in Sydney, Australia in 1788, OUR COUNTRY’S GOOD follows the story of a group of convicts from the British Isles and the officers assigned to them. With an eye on promotion, Lieutenant Clark agrees to direct a play, starring the convicts. Little does he know the drastic effects the play will have on him and the colony.

The Adult Ensemble’s interest in performing together began in Theatre Classes they took in previous years taught by People’s Light company actor Ceal Phelan. Under Phelan’s direction, the group performed The Laramie Project in 2006 and The Dining Room in 2005. Ensemble member John Desjardins commented, “It’s an incredible feeling to work together with a group of like-minded people to create a work that an audience enjoys.”

“Creating the adult ensemble was the natural progression of the work of these talented adults,” noted Director of Education Nancy Shaw. “Their seriousness and desire to hone their craft is an inspiration to me.”

The group’s work was also an inspiration to company actor Marcia Saunders, who is teaching an advanced adult class this fall called “Tools and Tactics.” She decided to concentrate on two one-act plays, culminating in a performance. Her students will perform AN AFTERNOON OF ONE-ACTS: TIGERS by Kendrew Lascelles and HOME by Laura Cahill.