Yocum Institute for Arts Education will present a staged reading of Sally Wister, a new play by D.W. Gregory,  at 7 p.m. on  Thursday, Sept. 24, in the Institute’s Schumo Theater in West Lawn, Pa.

The reading  is presented by the Institute’s Theater Department and is directed by Andrea Hart. The Schumo Theater is located at 3000 Penn. Avenue in West Lawn, a suburb of Reading, Pa.

Sally Wister is inspired by the true story of a 16-year-old Quaker girl who fled the British occupation of Philadelphia in 1777, only to find herself sharing quarters with officers of the Maryland militia. Shades of Jane Austen color this story of faith tested by an unexpected friendship.

“This is a great opportunity to work with Andrea and her students,” Gregory said. “Sally Wister presents a view of the American Revolution from an unusual perspective — through the eyes of young women who are skeptical of the enterprise because they are committed pacifists.

“The play wrestles with the question of whether it is ever possible to remain neutral in an existential struggle such as the Revolution. By refusing to choose sides — do we end up choosing by default?”

Reservations are required.