In his 40-year career at Levittown’s Harry S. Truman High School, legendary drama teacher Lou Volpe staged more than 40 productions—including debuts of Les Miserables and Rent for national high school use—coached students towards success as Emmy-winning producers, entertainment executives, and community theater founders; and built one of the most respected theatre programs in the United States. Upon his retirement, the school auditorium was named after him. In his new book, former Truman student Michael Sokolove chronicles Volpe’s last school years and follows the on- and off-stage dramas of his actors. Sokolove, “a natural literary stylist with the gifts of a social historian,” (New York Times) is a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine. His previous books include The Ticket Out, Hustle, and Warrior Girls.