TheatreWorks (Silicon Valley)
 TheatreWorks Silicon Valley logo | |
| Location | Palo Alto, California, United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Regional Theatre Company |
| Capacity |
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| Opened | July 1970 |
| Artistic Director | Giovanna Sardelli |
| Website | www.theatreworks.org |
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley is a professional non-profit theatre company based in Palo Alto, California, United States. Founded in 1970 by Robert Kelley, the company is one of the largest theatre organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area and is a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT). TheatreWorks is acclaimed for its innovative productions, commitment to diversity, and the development of new works. In 2019, it received the Regional Theatre Tony Award for outstanding achievement in regional theatre.
History
[edit]Founding and Early Years (1970s)
[edit]Robert Kelley, a Bay Area native and Stanford University graduate in creative writing, founded TheatreWorks in July 1970.[1] The company's inaugural production was Popcorn, an original musical reflecting the social changes of the era, which premiered in July 1970.[2] In its early years, TheatreWorks performed in various unconventional venues, including basements, parks, and warehouses.
Growth and Expansion (1980s and 1990s)
[edit]In the 1980s, TheatreWorks continued to emphasize diversity and innovation under the leadership of Associate Artistic Director Anthony J. Haney. The company premiered productions such as The Fireworks Rag (1981), featuring a predominantly African-American cast.[3] In 1985, Randy Adams was appointed as the first managing director, and the company signed its initial contracts with the Actors' Equity Association.
During the 1990s, TheatreWorks became a resident company at the newly constructed Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts while continuing performances at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto. The company produced notable premieres, including Josephine, a musical about Josephine Baker starring Della Reese, and Honor Song for Crazy Horse, featuring an all-Native American cast.
New Works and National Recognition (2000s)
[edit]In the early 2000s, TheatreWorks launched the New Works Initiative to support the creation and development of new plays and musicals. The company premiered Emma, a musical adaptation of Jane Austen's novel, in 2007, which became one of its most successful productions.
TheatreWorks also developed the musical Memphis, which began at the New Works Festival in 2002 and had its world premiere as a mainstage production in 2004. Memphis later opened on Broadway in 2009 and won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Recent Developments (2010s and 2020s)
[edit]In 2017, TheatreWorks presented the world premiere of The Prince of Egypt, a stage adaptation of the DreamWorks Animation film, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Philip LaZebnik.In recognition of its artistic achievements, the company received the Regional Theatre Tony Award in 2019 during the 73rd Tony Awards.
Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley retired in June 2020 after 50 years with the company, marking one of the longest tenures in American theatre.[4] He was succeeded by Tim Bond, who served as artistic director until 2023 before moving to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. In 2023, Giovanna Sardelli, previously the company's artistic associate and director of New Works, was appointed as the new artistic director.
Facing financial challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, TheatreWorks launched an emergency fundraising campaign in August 2023 to raise $3 million to continue its 53rd season.[5] By November 2023, the company announced that it had surpassed its fundraising goal, raising over $4 million.[6]
Programs and Initiatives
[edit]New Works Initiative
[edit]TheatreWorks is dedicated to the development of new plays and musicals through its New Works Initiative, launched in the early 2000s.[7] The annual New Works Festival attracts playwrights and composers of national stature, including Stephen Schwartz, Paul Gordon, Marsha Norman, and Duncan Sheik. The festival has been instrumental in developing productions that have gone on to national acclaim, including Memphis, Fly By Night, and Emma.
For a complete list of new works developed, see List of TheatreWorks (Silicon Valley) New Works.
Notable Productions and Awards
[edit]- Memphis (2004): Developed at TheatreWorks and later won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
- Emma (2007): A musical adaptation of Jane Austen's novel, which became the company's top-grossing production at the time.
- The Prince of Egypt (2017): World premiere of the stage musical adaptation of the animated film.
For a complete list of productions, see List of TheatreWorks (Silicon Valley) productions.
Awards
[edit]Venues
[edit]TheatreWorks stages its productions at two main venues:
- Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts: Opened in 1991, this venue is located in downtown Mountain View, California. It features a 600-seat main theater and is managed by the City of Mountain View. The venue hosts a range of events, including theatre, music, and dance performances, with TheatreWorks being one of its primary resident companies.
- Lucie Stern Theatre: Situated within the Lucie Stern Community Center in Palo Alto, this venue has been a key location for TheatreWorks productions since the 1970s. With a seating capacity of around 400, it provides a smaller, more intimate setting for the company’s performances[8]
See Also
[edit]- List of TheatreWorks (Silicon Valley) Productions
- List of TheatreWorks (Silicon Valley) New Works
- American Conservatory Theater
- Berkeley Repertory Theatre
- Marin Theatre Company
- League of Resident Theatres
References
[edit]- ^ Young, Steve (1989). TheatreWorks: 20 Years of Magic. TheatreWorks. pp. 3–5.
- ^ Young, Steve (1989). TheatreWorks: 20 Years of Magic. TheatreWorks. pp. 6–7.
- ^ Young, Steve (1989). TheatreWorks: 20 Years of Magic. TheatreWorks. pp. 45–47.
- ^ Shea, Christopher D. (11 May 2017). "Robert Kelley to Retire After 50 Years at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ Wild, Stephi (10 August 2023). "TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Launches Critical Fundraising Campaign to Raise $3M". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ Janiak, Lily (30 November 2023). "TheatreWorks' emergency fundraising campaign succeeds — by this much". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ "TheatreWorks Silicon Valley New Works Initiative". TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ "TheatreWorks History". TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Retrieved 10 October 2024.