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Penn State College of Arts and Architecture
Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State

Event Slides Per Node 1415

  • In an illustrated title slide, a girl in pigtails drags her toy monkey behind her while running through grass.
  • An actress clutching a stuffed monkey portrays a young Jane dressed in a schoolgirl skirt, blouse, and cardigan.
  • An actress in a schoolgirl uniform smiles while she speaks with three people dressed in matching overalls, work gloves, and caps.

The Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences on Tour Presents
Me ... Jane: The Dreams and Adventures of Young Jane Goodall
Based on the book Me ... Jane by Patrick McDonnell
Adapted and Written by Patrick McDonnell, Andy Mitton, and Aaron Posner
Co-Arranged and Music Direction by William Yanesh
Choreographed by Christopher d'Amboise
Directed by Aaron Posner

10:00 am Monday, February 11, 2019
60 minutes
Eisenhower Auditorium

Me … Jane, based on a Caldecott Honor Book by Patrick McDonnell, is the true story of young Jane Goodall, who grew up to be a scientist. Goodall is known for her more than half-century study of the social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees. Since childhood, Goodall has advocated for protection of species and natural places affected by human activity.

As a young girl, Jane, accompanied by Jubilee, her cherished stuffed toy chimpanzee, observed the natural world around her. When she chanced upon the story of Tarzan and Jane, she dreamed of Africa and “a life living with and helping all animals.”

This musical telling is about how Goodall believed in herself, lived her dreams, and made a difference in the world. “I am sure that the live action will inspire children of all ages to pursue their dreams and to realize that if Jane did it, they can do it, too,” Goodall says of the stage adaptation.

Attention teachers: Earn ACT 48 credits at a December 1 i-STEAM workshop presented by the Penn State College of Education's Center for Science and the Schools. Download a flyer about the workshop.

Key Learning Areas: 
Ecosystems and Their Interactions
Global Competency
Study of Primates
PA Academic Standards: 
Approaches to Learning
Arts and Humanities
Environment and Ecology

support provided by
McQuaide Blasko Endowment

Educator Preparation Materials: 

We provide teaching materials that point out subject area connections that follow the Pennsylvania Standards Aligned System/Academic Standards, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Learning Standards for Early Childhood, and the Common Core State Standards. Contact Medora Ebersole at 814‑863‑6752 or mde13@psu.edu to receive these resources.