User:Jclausen72/Actors' Theatre Grand Rapids

History
Actors' Theatre Grand Rapids (officially named Actors' Theatre Company) is a not-for-profit company producing live theatrical works in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company was founded in 1980 by Prof. Fred Sebulske, at the time a teacher of theater and literature at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), and a group of western Michigan actors. Since retired from teaching, Sebulske now serves as Artistic Consultant to the theater and has directed over 60 productions for the organization since 1980. Actors' has traditionally performed contemporary works of theater, which showcase the talents of local actors, and also has served as a training resource for theater students in West Michigan.

Education
Since its founding, the organization has maintained an educational partnership with Grand Rapids Community College. In exchange for professional-level vocational experience for its students, Actors' receives an annual exchange of in-kind services from the college, including administrative office space and usage of the college's 250 seat Spectrum Theater. This arrangement has been criticized by some members of the Grand Rapids community, most recently by GRCC trustee Richard Ryskamp, who accused the organization of presenting "evil things", saying to The Grand Rapids Press, "This is a group that definitely has an ideological agenda and maybe a religious agenda." In response to the allegations, the organization issued a statement saying:


 * "From its inception, Actors’ Theatre has provided a forum for many voices and diverse points of view. It is because of this rich tradition that we respect Trustee Ryskamp’s right to express his own passionate convictions. While we do not take issue with the expression itself, we feel it necessary to firmly refute any assertion that Actors’ Theatre is, 'a group that definitely has an ideological agenda and maybe a religious agenda.' Our mission of inclusion insists upon organizational independence from both."

Educational efforts for the community are also bolstered by an annual workshops and events. The 2010-11 series, for example featured six workshops focused on themes of contemporary theatre.

Programming
Actors' Theatre often produces socially relevant works which address issues which reflect the full spectrum of the human existence. Artistic choices have served to stimulate dialogue for some and discomfort for others. For example, the company has produced plays such as the original ethnographic dramas Lines: The Lived Experience of Race (2010) and Seven Passages: The Stories of Gay Christians (2007), Angels in America by Tony Kushner, Corpus Christi by Terrence McNally, Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage, A Lesson Before Dying, Boy Gets Girl by Rebecca Gilman and The Waiting Room by Tanika Gupta. The themes of these productions have dealt with issues important to the African-American, women's and LGBT communities. Seven Passages: The Stories of Gay Christians was also made in to a full-length feature film, which was produced by organization.

Many Actors' Theatre productions have been premieres - either at the local, regional or national level. Actors' has received numerous local and national awards for its work and programming, from the American Association of Community Theatres, Between the Lines newspaper, On The Town Magazine (Grand Rapids) and over 70 Grand Awards for excellence in Grand Rapids theatre. In 2011 an excerpt of the original documentary play RUST, by playwright Austin Bunn, was featured in the New York Times Magazine. The play received its world premiere at Actors' Theatre in the spring of 2011.

Pipeline Series
Actors' has an open submission policy for new works by regional and national playwrights. In 2011, Actors' introduced an annual new play reading series entitled "The Pipeline", with the purpose of showcasing several of those works submitted. Four consecutive readings are held in February and March of each year. From the inaugural series, the production of Vincent Delaney's new work Ampersand was chosen for production in the Spring of 2012.

Living on The Edge
In the summer of each year, the company produces Living on the Edge, a ten-minute play series of 5 new works selected for performances. The series begins with a public call for submissions on a theme in the fall of each year, followed by a reading in the early spring and, finally, a production of the five finalists in the summer. The company also continues to internally develop and assist in the external development of new works through its special series and new works committee. Since 2007, this process has been overseen by Literary Manager and Aquinas College Theatre Program Director Randy Wyatt.

Organizational Mission
Actors' Theatre's organizational mission statement is as follows:


 * "Actors' Theatre is committed to providing West Michigan with the best in entertaining, innovative, challenging and thought-provoking theatre.
 * We believe in the inclusion of all."
 * We believe in the inclusion of all."

References: