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About Seedlings
- The idea for Botanicum
Seedlings was planted in 2001 when Theatricum Botanicum awarded its first
new play commission and named Jennie Webb as playwright-in-residence. 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.
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- “This series
stretches us in an exciting new direction," says Theatricum's Artistic
Director Ellen Geer. "We hope to become a much-needed place where emerging
playwrights can grow, and new plays take root and come to life.”
While Theatricum is an
established classical repertory theatre, known for performing Shakespeare,
Moliere, Chekhov, Wilder and Williams, recognizing the importance of new
plays
is imperative to its growth and survival. Theatricum is excited to invest
in the playwrights who are creating the works that reflect our changing
times, and perhaps writing the classics of the future.
- Ellen Geer and Megan Geer-Alsop
in "Saving Grace" by Ellen Fox,
- photo by MaryAnn Dolcemascolo
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As
Playwrights' Development Director, Jennie Webb runs Botanicum Seedlings with
Seedlings Literary Manager Julie Retzlaff; activities commence yearly before
summer productions are underway at Theatricum and open to the public with Spring
Playreadings, then culminate with Fall Workshops or Playreadings after the
repertory season winds down. Throughout the year, plays are selected to receive
GreenReads, which provide an unrehearsed, fresh look at scripts in various
stages of development.
“New
plays don’t just happen,” says Webb. “Our goal with this series has been to
focus on the needs of the playwright, figure out what other artists can bring to
each work, and then allow an audience to become part of the process–at a certain
point, any new play must have an audience.”
To date,
the series has presented public readings of works by playwrights throughout the
U.S. and the UK, including Tiffany Antone, Jacob M. Appel, Travis Baker,
Catherine Bush, Mary F. Casey, Damon Chua, Michael David, Ellen Fox, Jonathan A.
Goldberg, Katherine Griffith, Hoyt Hilsman, Richard Martin Hirsch, Velina Hasu
Houston, Katherine James, Diane Lefer, Robin Rice Lichtig, John Lordan, James
McLindon, Susan Merson, Tira Palmquist, Matt Pelfrey, Laura Shamas, Reba Waters
Thomas, Michael Andrew Walton, Jennie Webb and Brett Webster. 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
Foundation Youth Pavilion.
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;
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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.
photo by Maja Palmquist
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
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IN THE NEWS
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WHAT PLAYWRIGHTS SAY
- For more
information:
Playwrights’ Development Director, Jennie Webb
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Seedlings Literary Manager,
Julie Retzlaff
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seedlings@theatricum.com
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Please indicate your area of interest
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