FAYETTEVILLE, PA — Totem Pole Playhouse is inviting audiences to experience something new this spring with the launch of its Tucked Away Treasures Series, a fresh line of special events designed to bring people together in unexpected and engaging ways. For a theatre best known for its summer season, this initiative marks an exciting step toward expanding programming and welcoming audiences to Caledonia State Park earlier in the year.
Leading the series is a one-of-a-kind event, “Ask a Gettysburg Guide: Addressing Gettysburg – LIVE Podcast,”taking place on April 12 at 2:00 PM. This interactive experience offers audience members the opportunity to be part of a live podcast recording that will air during the anniversary weekend of the Battle of Gettysburg.
This is not a traditional history lecture. Instead, audiences will join some of the region’s most engaging and knowledgeable guides for a lively and entertaining conversation about Gettysburg—featuring lesser-known stories, unexpected details, and fresh perspectives on the history that unfolded in our own backyard. The event is designed to present history in a way that is curious, accessible, and fun.
What sets this experience apart is the role of the audience. Attendees will not only observe but actively participate, with their energy and interaction becoming part of the final podcast recording. It is an opportunity to engage with history in a dynamic and communal setting.
The podcast Addressing Gettysburg was created in 2018 by Matt Callery, who set out to reframe how history is shared by making it more casual, curious, and engaging. Over the past eight years, the podcast has built a growing and dedicated audience.
For this live event, Callery will be joined by a distinguished panel of local historians and experts, including Britt Isenberg, Licensed Battlefield Guide and author with the Gettysburg Foundation; Lewis Trott, U.S. Army veteran and Licensed Battlefield Guide; Kevin Bryant, National Park Service Ranger and Licensed Battlefield Guide; and Codie Eash, Director of Education and Interpretation at Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center.
The afternoon will also feature live music and is supported by community partners including the Franklin County Visitors Bureau, the Gettysburg Foundation, Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center, The Digital History Pioneers Foundation, and Community Media of South Central Pennsylvania.
As a special incentive for local audiences, Gettysburg-area residents can receive a discount on tickets by using the code POD25 at checkout.
“This series is part of our effort to expand programming and invite people to experience Totem Pole in a new way,” said Producing Artistic Director Ryan Gibbs. “People aren’t used to coming here in the spring, and that’s what makes this so special. It’s a chance to welcome both our longtime audience and new visitors for something that feels local, different, and community-driven. We are very excited—and we know you’re going to love it.”
Whether you are a history enthusiast, a podcast fan, or simply looking for a unique local experience, this event offers a meaningful way to connect with Central Pennsylvania’s rich history and vibrant arts community.
Tickets are available at www.totempoleplayhouse.org or by calling (717) 352-2164.
