Meet the Playwrights of Summerfest: Ryan Pifher and Jon Provan Probe Into The Mind of the American Teenager

Jon Provan is a theatrical writer from Caldwell, NJ, and the Senior Musical Director at Porch Light Productions in Glen Rock. His song cycle Coming Of Age (book/music/lyrics) enjoyed a sold-out, extended run at the 2014 New York Musical Theatre Festival. He received the 2013 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Music Direction (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), the 2014 Perry Award for Outstanding Production of an Original Musical (Stage Fright, music/lyrics), and a 2016 Perry Award nomination for Outstanding Production of an Original Musical (Cracked!, book/music/lyrics). Jon has written hundreds of songs for theatre, rock bands, film scores and web series.

Ryan Pifher is the Artistic Director of Porch Light Productions in Glen Rock, NJ. His original musical Stage Fright received the 2014 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Production of an Original Musical. Ryan was honored with two Perry Awards for Outstanding Direction for his work on The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Red, plus nominations for Five Women Wearing the Same Dress and Noises Off. He also directed Coming of Age, a 2014 NYMF Official Selection. Finally, Ryan is an actor and proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA. He has been featured in TV, film and national tours, and he received a Best Actor nomination from the Spotlight On Festival for his work in the original play Information, PLEASE!

Their new musical Social Studies has a book by Ryan Pifher and music & lyrics by Jon Provan. Seven girls from seven different walks of life get a surprise when they arrive for Day One of their 8th-grade social studies course — a virtual-classroom exam, part of a nationwide study, full of probing questions about their feelings, families and relationships. As they write, we eavesdrop on their thoughts. Through inner monologues, imagined scenarios and introspective songs, the girls discover who they really are, who they want to be, and the unseen connection between them.