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.
PBS will be broadcasting our film of the play on local stations and online at PBS.ORG. This year, we are also offering the Spanish subtitled version to Spanish language television networks.
Performances
Fundraising
Thomas Paine Screening Kit
This is a simple and cost-effective way to introduce your patrons, members, or students to the story of Thomas Paine.
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
Unlimited Public Performing Rights and screenings through 2026
Printable talking points
Comprehensive bibliography including websites
And much more!
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.
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.
$300 unless you are poor and sad and then you can have it for less.
“Brilliantly done film: emotionally stirring, thought provoking, and sprinkled with genuine humor.”
“It made me keenly aware not much has changed in regard to politics among the elite.”
“Knew nothing about Thomas Paine before - very informative. Thank you.”
Quotes from Patrons of Andover Library, Andover, Ohio
Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, Paris
Questions? Email us at info@ruskinproductions.com
Airings
Streaming online Nationwide 24/7 at
Also always check Local Listings!
January 4 at 8pm (ET) | January 5 at 2am (ET)
January 4 at 7pm (MT) | January 18 at 2pm (MT)
January 4 at 12pm (ET) | January 4 at 3:30pm (ET) | January 5 at 8pm (ET)
January 7 at 10pm (PT) | January 8 at 10pm (PT) | January 9 at 3am (PT)
January 9 at 10pm (CT) | January 10 at 3am (CT)
January 10 at 3:30pm (ET) | January 11 at 8pm (ET)
January 10 at 3:30pm (ET) | January 11 at 8pm (ET)
January 10 at 3:30pm (ET) | January 11 at 8pm (ET)
January 10 at 3:30pm (ET) | January 11 at 8pm (ET)
January 11 at 6pm (CT)
January 15 at 9pm (CT) | January 16 at 4am (CT) | January 16 at 2pm (CT) | January 17 at 12am (CT)
January 17 at 9pm (ET)
January 19 at 8pm (CT) | January 21 at 2am (CT) | January 23 at 12pm (CT)
January 21 at 6pm (ET)
January 26 at 9pm (PT) | January 27 at 12am (PT)
February 1 at 5pm (ET) | February 7 at 12am (ET)
February 1 at 5pm (ET) | February 7 at 12am (ET)
February 2 at 7pm (ET) | February 3 at 4pm (ET)
February 9 at 11pm (CT)
February 13 at 3:30am (ET) | February 15 at 4am (ET)
Fundraising
Individual donations of $18,000 have been received!
A very special thank you, Stuart MacGuire!
Foundation donations of $32,500 received or pledged!
A very special thank you, James Hervey Johnson Charitable Educational Trust!
We have raised $50,500 of our total budget of $96,000. Every contribution helps!
We are creating Screening Kits for libraries and museums across America and the world, and working with the American Federation of Teachers to promote our Thomas Paine Lesson Plan. Distribution to PBS is confirmed.
Next PERFORMANCES IN AMERICA
- Florida Veterans for Common Sense, Sarasota, Florida, 2025
- La Valley College, Valley Glen, California 2026
- Ocean County College, Tom’s River, New Jersey, 2026
- The Thomas Paine Society, Pasadena, California 2026
Next PERFORMANCES IN EUROPE
- Lycée Franco-Allemand BUC, Versailles, November, 2024 and 2025
- University of Chicago Intl. Institute of Research in Paris, 2025
- Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, Paris, 2026
- America2026 Final Conference, Paris, 2026
We hope that you will join us and be a part of this project!
Performances from Our Tours
Benjamin Franklin House, London
Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, Paris
Thomas Paine Society, Pasadena