Thomas Paine and the Birthday of America
With the 250th Anniversary of America on the horizon, we are very excited to have a once in a lifetime opportunity to tell Paine’s story to more people than ever before.
We want Thomas Paine’s legacy to be a central part of the celebrations and to inspire reflections on the journey that America has taken since 1776. His ideas changed the world. His writings sparked a revolution and played a pivotal role in the development of the idea of true democracy. He continues to challenge and inspire us today as we work towards achieving the aim of a more perfect union.
We have launched our Thomas Paine Screening Kit, which is designed for libraries, museums, educational institutions, citizens’ groups, and more, to bring our story to new audiences and encourage discussion and debate.
PBS has been broadcasting our film of the play on local stations and is streaming it online at PBS.ORG. To expand our audience, the film now has English, Spanish, and French subtitles.
We are presenting Paine’s story through multiple productions of our play across America and Europe, which include a Q&A and audience discussion after each performance.
To help us to reach new and widening audiences, we are actively working with Foundations and individuals to support our work.
Screening Kit
These screenings and our kit was designed to inspire discussion and debate about Paine’s visions for America and how we continue to look for ways to achieve them.
This will be a journey into a deeper understanding of his life in the eighteenth-century world of revolutions and enlightenment, and in particular his profound impact on the founding of our country.
SCREENING KIT INCLUDES
Links to a trailer, the 73-minute feature film, and the 59-minute PBS version, both with optional English, Spanish, & French subtitles
Public Performing Rights for unlimited screenings through 2026
Printable talking points
Comprehensive bibliography including websites
And much more!
This is a simple and cost-effective way to introduce your patrons, members, or students to the story of Thomas Paine.
$300 for Universities, Colleges and private Organizations
$100 for Libraries, Museums, Community Colleges and Citizen Groups
Writer/Performer Ian Ruskin can take part in a virtual Q&A following the screening. Contact us for more information, including fees and availability.
“Brilliantly done film: emotionally stirring, thought provoking, and sprinkled with genuine humor.”
“Knew nothing about Thomas Paine before - very informative. Thank you.”
“It made me keenly aware not much has changed in regard to politics among the elite.”
Quotes from Patrons of Andover Library in Andover, Ohio
Ian Ruskin at Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, Paris
REVIEWS
Our Screening Kit was reviewed by Video Librarian (click here), who is a trusted resource for librarians, educators and communities.
PBS has been broadcasting our film of the play on local stations and is streaming it free online 24/7 at PBS.ORG.
Now with English and Spanish subtitles.
Check Local Listings for airings of the film!
Fundraising
We have raised over $50,000 of our total budget of $65,000. These funds will cover the costs of:
Creation of the Screening Kit
Administrative Assistant
Stations Relations Manager (to promote to PBS)
Creation of a radio version of the play for PRX
French sub-titles for the film
Hire a publicist
Fund free downloads of the film
Travel costs
SPECIAL THANKS
James Hervey Johnson Charitable Educational Trust
Stuart MacGuire
Phil Crawford and Nancy Achorn
and more…
Full Budget details available on request.
Performances
PERFORMANCES IN AMERICA
- La Valley College, Valley Glen, California, April, 2026
- Los Angeles Central Library, Mark Taper Auditorium, June, 2026
- The Thomas Paine Society, Pasadena, California 2026
PERFORMANCES IN EUROPE
- Lycée Franco-Allemand BUC, Versailles, October, 2026
- Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, Paris, 2026
- America2026 Final Conference, Paris, 2026