We found our Dickens!  Lisa Litman of Bala Cynwyd, Pa. won today's ‘Dickens Idol Contest," our quest to find someone to bring Dickens to life for the Free Library's Year of Dickens 2012.

To win, Litman performed for a panel of judges, all experts in Dickens or the art of personification. As part of her audition, Litman performed an original monologue as Dickens, acted out a scene theatrically as Fagin from Oliver Twist, and endured a fast-paced question-and-answer period from a celebrity panel of judges including Ben Franklin; Janine Pollock, Head of the Free Library’s Rare Book Department; Sam Gish, Casting Expert from the Philadelphia Casting Agency; and Siobhan A. Reardon, President and Director of the Free Library. The judges declared Litman the winner by unanimous vote. 

Litman is an education consultant with a diverse background in ethics education, family education, and the performing arts. As an actor, singer, writer, and composer, Lisa has performed extensively on radio, in television, film, and regional theaters throughout the New York, Philadelphia, and New England areas.

“I’m thrilled to embark on this journey with my new alter-ego as Charles Dickens,” said Litman. “We all learn when education is fun and engaging. I look forward to inspiring new generations to the wonderful words, worlds, and characters of Charles Dickens.”

We're thrilled, too! Looking forward to seeing lots of "Charles" in the year ahead!