Children's Theatre Company: Innovation in New Plays and Multigenerational Performance
The Children's Theatre Company has established itself as a powerhouse of creativity, focusing on the development of original works that resonate across generations. By bridging the gap between professional production and educational accessibility, the theater serves as both a laboratory for new scripts and a launchpad for world-class talent.
Key Facts
- New Play Laboratory: Established in 1998, this initiative has developed over 200 new plays.
- Broadway Success: The production of A Year with Frog and Toad transferred to Broadway and earned three Tony Award nominations.
- Generation Now: A landmark partnership funded by a $1.5 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support diverse playwrights.
- Script Licensing: The "Plays for New Audiences" division provides scripts to professional and amateur theaters, schools, and libraries.
Developing New Works and Broadway Partnerships
Under the leadership of Brosius, the theater launched a new play laboratory in 1998. This collaborative space brings together leading playwrights, composers, designers, and directors to push the boundaries of theatrical storytelling. To date, more than 200 new plays have been developed through this laboratory, with the majority receiving their world premieres at the Children's Theatre Company.
The theater's influence extends to Broadway and major commercial productions through strategic partnerships with entities such as Kevin McCollum, Buena Vista Theatricals, and Universal Theatrical Group. Notable collaborations include A Year with Frog and Toad, which completed its run at the Cort Theatre in June 2003 after receiving three Tony Award nominations. Additionally, the theater worked with author Jeff Kinney, Kevin McCollum, and Buena Vista Theatrical to commission and develop Diary of a Wimpy Kid: the Musical, which premiered in 2016 and saw a subsequent production in 2022.
More recently, in 2023, the theater partnered with Universal Theatrical Group to premiere a new musical adaptation of An American Tail, based on the 1986 animated film from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Expanding Inclusivity through Generation Now
In 2021, the Children's Theatre Company entered into a transformative partnership with Penumbra (Saint Paul, MN), Ma-Yi Theater Company (New York City, NY), Latino Theater Company (Los Angeles, CA), and Native Voices at the Autry (Los Angeles, CA). This collaboration, known as Generation Now, was made possible by a $1.5 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
The program is designed to commission and develop 16 new plays written by Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian American Pacific Islander writers. By focusing on multigenerational audiences, Generation Now aims to expand the existing canon of theatrical work and create a more inclusive model for the entire theater field.
Plays for New Audiences: Script Licensing
Launched in July 2004, Plays for New Audiences (formerly known as Plays for Young Audiences) serves as the theater's script licensing division. This branch focuses on providing high-quality scripts for multigenerational actors and audiences.
The catalog includes works commissioned by the Children's Theatre Company as well as curated pieces from other prestigious organizations, including the Seattle Children's Theatre, Chicago Children's Theatre, and Imagination Stage. These scripts are made available to a wide array of venues, including professional theaters, amateur troupes, churches, libraries, and schools.
Notable Talent and Collaborators
The theater has been a hub for exceptional artists across various disciplines. From award-winning playwrights to future stars of stage and screen, the company's roster reflects its commitment to artistic excellence.
| Category | Notable Names |
|---|---|
| Playwrights | Greg Banks, Kia Corthron, Nilo Cruz, Philip Dawkins, Larissa Fasthorse, Jerome Hairston, Jeffrey Hatcher, Naomi Iizuka, Barry Kornhauser, Kari Margolis, Timothy Mason, Itamar Moses, Willie Reale, Lloyd Suh, Cheryl L. West |
| Composers | Lamont Dozier, Paris Ray Dozier, Michael Mahler, David Mallamud, Steven Ryberg, Alan Schmuckler, Hiram Titus, Victor Zupanc |
| Actors | Francesca Curran, Josh Hartnett, Dean Holt, Vincent Kartheiser, Rajane Katurah, Alix Kendall, Ann Kim, Mark Linn-Baker, Ryan McCartan, Autumn Ness, Laura Osnes, Adam Shankman, Reed Sigmund, Lea Thompson |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the new play laboratory?
Established in 1998, the laboratory works with leading playwrights, composers, designers, and directors to develop new theatrical works, resulting in over 200 developed plays.
What is the Generation Now program?
Generation Now is a partnership between five theater companies funded by a $1.5 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to commission 16 new plays by Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian American Pacific Islander writers.
How can schools or libraries access these plays?
Scripts are available through the Plays for New Audiences licensing division, which provides materials from the Children's Theatre Company and other regional partners to educational and community institutions.
Which production from the theater reached Broadway?
The original production of A Year with Frog and Toad transferred to Broadway, where it was nominated for three Tony Awards and ran at the Cort Theatre until June 2003.
What recent musical adaptations has the theater produced?
The theater recently developed Diary of a Wimpy Kid: the Musical (premiering in 2016 and 2022) and a musical version of An American Tail in 2023.