Franklin's Apprentice

by Laurie Brooks

Copyright 1998

4 Men, 2 Women

"I dare you, lightning, strike! I am not afraid."

Dazzling special effects highlight this tale of an American hero's quest for one accomplishment to define his life. Long before the Declaration of Independence, Ben Franklin was an inventor, obsessed with the mastery of electricity. When he rescues a wounded boy from a cruel apprenticeship, the boy in turn teaches Franklin the secrets of "electrical fire." Together they confront ignorance and prejudice as they embark on an amazing journey to harness lightning, and ultimately, change the world.

• Commissioned by Stage One: The Louisville Children's Theatre.
• Stage One: Louisville Children's Theatre Critics Circle Reading Series, 1998 Premiere: February, 2000.
• Developed at New York University Summer Reading Series at The Provincetown Playhouse, June 2001.
• Development and productions at Nashville Children's Theatre, 2002 and Arden Theatre Company, Philadelphia, PA. 2004.

Photo courtsey of the Arden Theatre Company