Wolf Performing Arts Center (Wolf PAC) has been leading the pack in providing excellent theatre education to children. Since it opened its doors in 2005, hundreds and hundreds of children from dozens of public, private, parochial and home-school environments have enhanced their creativity, increased their confidence, and explored their love of theatre in Wolf PAC’s classes, full-scale productions, and outstanding summer program.

In the spring of 2009, Wolf PAC embarked on a confidence-building collaboration with the children and staff of the William B. Mann School, a public elementary school located in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia. Wolf PAC and Mann School children act, sing, and dance together at rehearsals for the delightful children’s musical, “On the Other Side of the Fence.”

This valuable collaboration provides children from Wolf PAC and Mann School in grades K-5 with a unique chance to perform and a chance to learn about each other and themselves in the process. Children and staff members from both institutions benefit from the creative and collaborative process, and the young performers emerge from each rehearsal feeling good about themselves and what they’ve accomplished. This is Wolf PAC’s goal, and its true measure of success.

Wolf PAC truly is a place where confidence, character, and creativity are Center Stage.

On the Other Side of the Fence by Andrea Green-Feigenbaum
On the Other Side of the Fence is a story about two farms separated by a big, strong fence. The fence was put up because of a long standing feud between Farmer Franklin and Farmer Fred. Because of their differences, they have forbidden the animals on their individual farms to have anything to do with the animals on the other side. One day over by the fence, the two pigs, Ham and Bacon, develop a special friendship. The farmers warn them that this is unacceptable, but the pigs and many of the animals wonder why this has to be. Finally, out of desperation, Ham and Bacon escape their farms together. The animals on both sides of the fence discover that they share many of the same feelings. The animals prevail upon the farmers to end their feud and make peace. A vote is taken and unanimously the decision is made to "take the fence away." The farmers begin to see each other in a new way — the animals are jubilant — the pigs return — and acceptance, friendship and understanding are the result.

“On the Other Side of the Fence” was produced at the Mann School auditorium, located at the corner of 54th and Berks Street in Philadelphia.

Wolf PAC teachers: Bobbi Wolf, Jenny Jacobs, Amy Brower
Wolf PAC Facilitator: Gabriel Nathan
Mann School teachers: Charlonda Taylor, Betty Wilson, Monique Guy Drones
Mann School Facilitator: Amy Katz
Photographer / Videographer: Londa Salamon