Israel Baran (1917 - 2007)

When a very small man with a very grand passion for theatre came out of the audience and said, "What can I do to help?" the seeds were planted for something exciting at Theatricum. A poet and critical thinker, Israel became the theatre's first dramaturg and a beloved member of the Theatricum company and family.  

In large part, it was his unique spirit, his unqualified opinions, and his unabashed love of new directions in theatre that helped Theatricum’s new play program, Botanicum Seedlings, take root.  Our dear Israel will always be a part of the energy that flows between our efforts here and playwrights across the country. To honor his keen mind, sharp tongue, and ear for language--despite the fact that he was maddeningly deaf--Theatricum Botanicum is proud to establish the Israel Baran Award. The Award, along with a check, is bestowed each year to the Seedlings play that speaks to us the loudest.

Metaphor

by Israel Baran

Though the pot

Is not like the flower

They need each other

Theirs

Is an interrelationship

Of necessity

That requires intermingling:

The tension of the pot

Presses in

The expansion of the flower

Needs containing

One pushes, the other holds

So they, of necessity

Love and hate each there

In the end, love wins

And it is quiet

ABOUT SEEDLINGS 

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IN THE NEWS

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For more information:  
Playwrights’ Development Director, Jennie Webb 

Seedlings Literary Manager, Julie Retzlaff

seedlings@theatricum.com

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