Dear Patrons, Friends, and Former Employees of The Traveling Lantern Theatre Company,
Since 1985, The Traveling Lantern Theatre Company has brought the magic of live theatre to children across the United States. For the past 22 years, my wife KB Mercer and I have operated the company—first in San Diego, and then from Portland after our move in 2008. It has been a labor of love, a partnership built on our shared talents and commitment to bringing meaningful, engaging performances to young audiences.
It is with deep sadness that I share the news that KB passed away in September 2024. As co-owner and business manager of Traveling Lantern, KB was the heart of our company. She crafted incredible props and costumes—everything from cuttlefish outfits to a rolling, two-foot kakapo parrot—and brought every production to life with her creativity and care.
Beyond the theatre, she was a passionate climate activist, serving in leadership roles at state and national organizations and lobbying for climate justice in Oregon and Washington, D.C.
KB and I worked as a team—our complementary skills made Traveling Lantern thrive. Without her by my side, I find I cannot continue the company we built together. I've explored the possibility of finding a new owner, and while several promising conversations took place, none led to a viable transition. As a result, I have made the difficult decision to dissolve The Traveling Lantern Theatre Company.
Soon, I will be relocating and beginning the process of rebuilding my life. Though this chapter is ending, the memories and impact of our work will live on.
Together, KB and I created a diverse repertoire of productions—from timeless classics like A Christmas Carol, Robin Hood, and Dorothy in the Land of Oz, to original "biograplays" about Mozart, Beethoven, Da Vinci, and Ben Franklin. We also produced many original works inspired by summer reading themes, including My Mother the Astronaut (space) and Camp Ocean (oceanography).
Our performances reached children in 47 states, touring schools, libraries, camps, children's museums, and national parks with up to seven touring teams on the road for nine months of the year. Over the course of two decades, we entertained hundreds of thousands of children and collaborated with hundreds of talented artists.
One of our proudest achievements was a 10-year partnership with Yosemite National Park, where we developed two original shows. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we created seven virtual productions using local actors and computer-generated sets. These performances helped keep the company alive and reached schools worldwide.
KB and I both discovered our love for theatre as third graders, watching programs much like those we later created. That spark changed our lives—and it was our great joy and mission to pass that gift on to the next generation. We hope that, along the way, we helped inspire future performers, creators, and theatre lovers.
Though the touring company will no longer continue, I will retain the rights to the 30 shows I've written and adapted, as well as our educational videos and CDs. These materials will be made available in the future, and while I have not yet created a new website for them, you're welcome to contact me directly at doren@travelinglantern.com.
Thank you for supporting our journey. It has been an honor and a pleasure to share the magic of theatre with you.
With gratitude,
Doren Elias
Traveling Lantern Theatre Company