Louisa May Alcott  (1832-1888) grew up at a time when America’s views on education, philosophy and human rights were radically changing. Her father was a pioneer in education whose friends included Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Nathanial Hawthorne and Margaret Fuller. After living in an ideal utopian community, moving numerous times, and struggling to make a career for herself, Louisa, the tomboy of the Alcott household, went off to become a nurse in the Civil War, profoundly changing her life. Deciding never to marry, the Alcott’s “Merry Spinster” continued to write and work tirelessly for social reform. Later, she single-handedly supported her family.

Learn of her struggles and successes, her eccentric father and hard-working mother, and about the sisters who inspired Louisa’s most famous work Little Women.

Portrayed by Pat Jordan

Pat Jordan's passion for history has led her to bring the stories of famous American women to audiences throughout the country with American Historical Theatre.  Her entertaining and highly-researched historical interpretations have been seen at The Smithsonian Institution, National Portrait Gallery, Mount Vernon, Delaware Chautauqua, U.S. Armed Forces, Truman Library and many other organizations, including sponsored sites of the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.   

She has been the lead in many dramatic and musical-theatre productions at venues including NY’s 42nd Street and Clurman theatres, Philadelphia’s Academy of Music and Walnut Street Studio Stages as well as in historical presentations at Trenton’s Patriot Theatre, Maryland’s Public Theatre, and the Arkansas Arts Center, among others.

Historical film roles include Sarah Gibbons in Eyewitness to History for KYW-TV and the lead in a film for the American Flag Association.  In feature films, she appears as Larry’s Mom in Lucky Numbers and Molly in Cash Crop (Harvest).

Advanced registration is requested.