English: Five years ago, the playwright, Lynn Nottage came to Reading, to understand the struggles we faced as the poorest city in America. She came with “curiosity without judgment,” to listen to voices that have been marginalized and ignored. She hoped to find a way to use her creative talent, along with the talent of others in the arts, to engage all people in the Reading community in a conversation of mutual respect and appreciation. From her visits, came her play SWEAT, for which she won many awards including the Pulitzer Prize, and also, a beautiful projected called This Is Reading, which she wants to share with us.This Is Reading, a dynamic site-specific multimedia installation blending live performance and visual media, will occupy the historic Franklin Street Railroad Station in Downtown Reading, re-animating the long vacant building. Using as it’s foundation the challenges, and triumphs of people living in and around Reading, Pa., This is Reading will weave their individual stories into one cohesive and celebratory compelling tale of the city. This Is Reading opens July 14 for two weekends from 6pm to 11pm with performances at 7:30pm & 9:30pm, in the Franklin Street Station in Downtown Reading (Franklin and 7th Streets, Reading PA 19602).
