The Sunrise Comes
The Life of the Buddha
32nd Annual Living Wisdom School Theater Magic Production
Join us for a dramatic portrayal of the life of Prince Siddhartha, the young royal who left great wealth and comfort in order to become the Buddha, that all beings might one day escape from suffering. His compassion and wisdom come alive through this play based upon Old Path, White Clouds by Thich Nhat Hanh and The Light of Asia by Sir Edwin Arnold.
Presented by the TK through 8th grade students of Living Wisdom School, these productions are a key piece of curriculum that teaches not only the skill of performing, but also the character lessons that come from inhabiting the life of a great one.
The suggested donation is $15 for adults, $12 for children under 12.
School groups are free for the Wednesday performance with pre-registration.
Please reserve your tickets by filling out this form, or by reaching out directly to us at info@livingwisdomschool.org.
Theater Magic: A Guide to Our Unique Yearly Plays
Every year in March, LWS presents a theater production of the life of a great soul. Our plays have portrayed the lives of St. Francis, the Dalai Lama, Joan of Arc, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesus, Krishna, Paramhansa Yogananda, Moses, Hafiz, Kuan Yin, and others.
For the children, the process of putting on a long, elaborate theater production is a living laboratory for learning the history of the age and land described in the play, and acquiring lifelong skills of poise and cooperation. Not to mention the inspiration of fully immersing themselves in the lives of a great human being.
The youngest children overcome challenges as they learn their dances and cooperate with the other performers on stage. The older children develop concentration as they memorize their lines.
One boy who had a major speaking part was daunted by memorizing his multiplication tables until his teacher reminded him, “Anyone who can memorize as many lines as you did for the play can do it!” The boy was encouraged and learned his “timeses” without further worry.
Every child in our school faces the challenge of performing before audiences of over 250 adults and visiting children in four performances. Standing onstage while delivering lines with creative feeling is a test of poise. It is a great accomplishment.
One mother remarked after her daughter’s performance, “I couldn’t have done that. I never would have believed that she could. She has always been shy – you have no idea what a transformation this is.”
The following is a list of our plays. The scripts are available for use by schools and other educational institutions. For more information, please email Living Wisdom School.
Click Here to Watch Theater Magic Videos!
 |
2012 The Subject Tonight Is Love: The Life and Poetry of Hafiz (Click image to watch video) |
 |
2011 Cry From the Heart of the First Americans: The Story of the Great Peacemaker, Deganawidah, and His Follower, Hiawatha (Click image to watch video) |
 |
2010 Compassionate Heart: The Life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Click image to watch video, or follow this link to a photographic review of the play.) |
 |
2009 Mirabai: Mystic Poet Princess of India (Click image to watch video) |
 |
2008 Light In A Dark Age The Story of Francesco and Chiara of Assisi |
 |
2007 Morning Star Appears: A Life of the Buddha |
 |
2006 A New Tomorrow: The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. |
 |
2005 Kuan Yin: She Who Hears the Cries of the World (Click image to watch video.) |
 |
2004 The Subject Tonight is Love: The Life and Poetry of Hafiz> |
 |
2003 Joy! Joy! Joy! The Life of Paramhansa Yogananda Watch video excerpts. |
 |
2002 Krishna, the Beloved |
 |
2001 Jesus, Holy Son of Mary |
 |
2000 Moses |
 |
1999 Joan of Arc, Daughter of God |
 |
1998 Lord Krishna |
 |
1997 The Life of St. Francis |
 |
1996 The Life of Buddha |
 |
1995 The Great Kapok Tree |
 |
1994 The Fish King’s Power of Truth |
 |
1993 The Shawl of Gold |