BOTANICUM SEEDLINGS
A DEVELOPMENT SERIES FOR PLAYWRIGHTS
- We welcome those of you who
would like to become involved in this exciting new
development series as it establishes roots, whether
you are an emerging writer, dedicated theatre artist,
adventurous audience member or enthusiastic volunteer.
Join us as we actively branch out to support new
works and new voices in theatre, presenting Winter
and Spring Playreadings and Fall Workshop Productions.
If you would like to receive
more information about Botanicum Seedlings contact
seedlings@theatricum.com,
Please indicate your area of interest. (Playwrights:
see Submission Guidelines below.)
We look forward to hearing
from you, and seeing you at the theatre.
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Jennie Webb,
Playwrights' Development Director
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Eric Fagundes in "Lost Nation" by Tira
Palmquist,
photo by Maja Palmquist.
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- The idea for Botanicum Seedlings was planted in
2001 when Theatricum
Botanicum-a summer repertory theatre known for its
productions of
Shakespeare and the classics-took an unexpected
step. Recognizing the
importance of new plays on the theatrical landscape,
Theatricum
named a playwright-in-residence and awarded its
first new play
commission. Then, as a direct response to the diminishing
opportunities
for playwrights at major theatres across the country,
the company moved
forward again in 2002 by establishing an ongoing
development series,
focusing on the needs of the playwright.
"I'm very excited about this series," says
artistic director Ellen
Geer. "It stretches us in a new direction. We
hope to become a
much-needed place for emerging playwrights to grow,
and to help bring
new plays to life."
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Ellen Geer and Megan Geer-Alsop in "Saving
Grace"
by Ellen Fox,
- photo by
MaryAnn Dolcemascolo
Botanicum Seedlings commences yearly before summer
activities are underway at Theatricum with
staged Winter and Spring Playreadings, heading
toward Fall Workshop Productions or Playreadings
after the season winds down. Throughout the
calendar year, plays are also selected to receive
GreenReads, providing an unrehearsed, fresh look at
scripts in various stages of development.
To date, the series has presented public readings of
works by playwrights throughout the U.S. and the UK,
including Jacob M. Appel, Travis Baker, Catherine Bush,
Mary F. Casey, Damon Chua, Carole Clement, Ellen Fox,
Katherine Griffith, Hoyt Hilsman, Richard Martin Hirsch,
Velina Hasu Houston, Katherine
James, Drew Katzman, Diane Lefer, John
Lordan, James McLindon, Susan Merson, Tira Palmquist,
Matt Pelfrey, Martha Stevens, Devin Wallace, Michael
Andrew Walton and Jennie Webb. Seedlings also provides
a means for local directors, dramaturgs and actors to
become familiar with Theatricum Botanicum by working
in the company’s intimate S. Mark Taper Youth Pavilion.
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The goals of Botanicum Seedlings are:
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to maintain focus on the needs of the playwright
in regard to a play's growth;
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to foster relationships with emerging
playwrights around the globe;
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to act as an advocate whenever appropriate in
recommending plays to other companies;
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to establish Theatricum as a guiding force
in the development of original material; and
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to provide a nurturing environment in which
Theatricum company members can expand and
stretch in new directions-as actors as well as
directors, writers and dramaturgs.
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