A Special Guest for a Historic Night in Ash Fork
We are thrilled to announce that playwright Peter Kershaw will be a special guest at our upcoming performance of Route 66 to the Grand Canyon on Friday, May 15, 2026, in Ash Fork.
This evening is already a landmark moment for our community, as it will be the first live theater performance Ash Fork has hosted in decades. To welcome not only this original production, but also the writer behind it, makes the occasion even more meaningful.
Several years ago, Peter Kershaw visited the Ash Fork Rt 66 Historical Museum and shared that he had been commissioned to write a play in honor of the 100th Anniversary of Route 66 for Theatrikos Theatre Company in Flagstaff. That conversation planted an important seed. It helped inspire the outreach and partnerships that eventually brought this special production to Ash Fork as part of our own Route 66 Centennial celebration.
Now, that vision is becoming reality.
Peter has graciously agreed to attend the May 15 performance and share a few words with the audience before the show. He will speak about the process of creating the play—something we know will add a special layer of meaning to the evening. His remarks may even inspire a future writer or storyteller in the audience, which feels especially fitting for such a memorable community event.
Peter Kershaw brings a remarkable background in theater, film, writing, and education. Originally trained in England, he attended the Birmingham School of Acting and appeared on stage early in his career before expanding into television and film production. Over the years, he continued his creative training in screenwriting and production, studying with some of the most respected voices in the field.
His career has included work in film, theater, and higher education, and he has spent years teaching and mentoring students in hands-on creative environments. His deep belief in learning by doing and in encouraging new voices makes his presence in Ash Fork even more special.
This is not only an opportunity to enjoy a wonderful performance, but also to hear directly from the writer who helped bring this Route 66 story to life.
Our May 15 event will begin with a community dinner hosted by the Ash Fork 4-H Club at the Ash Fork Joint Unified School District, followed by the live performance of Route 66 to the Grand Canyon.
We are excited to gather as a community for an evening of food, laughter, storytelling, and celebration. We are deeply grateful to Peter Kershaw for being part of this historic night, and we cannot wait to welcome him—and all of you—to Ash Fork for an unforgettable evening.
