Artistic Director ~ J.W. Rone   |  Managing Director ~ Jenny Rone

~ Nikola Tesla: Let the Sparks Fly ~
Financial assistance from the W.V. Division of Culture & History
and the National Endowment for the Arts.

~ About Nikola Tesla 1856 - 1943 ~

Nikola Tesla was Serbian born, immigrated to the United States in 1884 and became a U.S. citizen in 1891. Nikola Telsa's inventions make him one of the foremost pioneers in the distribution of electric energy, yet he is relatively unknown. Indeed, Tesla is an unsung creator of the electric age. Without him our current day alternating current (AC) power generation and alternating current (AC) transmission would have been impossible.

Nikola Tesla was also a pioneer in many other fields; the "Tesla Coil" is widely used in radios, television sets and other electronic equipment. Other discoveries led to developments of the fluorescent light, laser beam, neon lights, speedometer, automobile ignition system, wireless communications, remote control, robotics, radar, rotary engines, vacuum tubes, microwave, x-rays, and broadcast power.


Nikola Tesla

~ About Nikola Tesla: Let the Sparks Fly ~

A "...highly visual and engaging production of Tesla’s life and work.."
Morgan Messenger; 10/20/05

“The presentation was very engaging — it gave students some information about the development of electricity and inventions that is beyond the usual focus of their texts.”

“The information was a wonderful supplement to the curriculum, and it covers content standards.”

“This was phenomenal! The part of Tesla was beyond entertaining.”
Comments from Teachers

Let the Sparks Fly! features a unique multi-media component that was developed by J.W. in 2003 for an original adaptation of Its A Wonderful Life, 2076.

The multi-media aspect of the production means the the script is more like a screenplay. There will be scenes with only live actors, video transitions between scenes, scenes that include only virtual actors or interaction between live and virtual actors.

  • The Play is about the life and accomplishments of master inventor Nikola Tesla.
  • The primary convention is a TV News special about Tesla.
  • The opening act is a news style overview of Teslas inventions, complete with video graphics on the wide-screen.
  • The reporter now follows Tesla from his arrival in the United States in the 1880s to the height of his career at the turn of the 20th century. Including; his work with Edison, his war of the currents, his invention of AC current, His invention of the AC induction motor and his development of the power station at Niagara Falls.
  • The opening act ends as the reporter discovers letters from her great-great grandmother to Nikola Tesla.
  • The opening act is 45 minutes long and self-contained as an educational production.
  • The second act follows the later life of Nikola Tesla and his relationship with high-society friends such as Katherine Johnson.

This production meets regional education content standards and objectives. Teachers and Student Study Guides are also available. For more information about Nikola Tesla: Let the Sparks Fly! please contact us!


This program is presented with financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.