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TheaterWorks

 Organization

Biography

Abstract:

TheaterWorks, an experimental theater company in Boston, was founded in 1980 and performed between 1981-1989. The company grew out of Reality Theater, another small experimental company that produced works in the late 1970s. TheaterWorks used small theater settings to introduce Boston audiences to innovative productions and produced new and original works.

TheaterWorks, an experimental theater company in Boston, was founded in 1980 and performed between 1981-1989. The company grew out of Reality Theater, another small experimental company that produced works in the late 1970s. TheaterWorks used small theater settings to introduce Boston audiences to innovative productions and produced new and original works.



The company performed at several locations around the city including a space at UMass Boston downtown and at Suffolk University. The company won multiple regional awards including "best new company," "best individual performance," and "best play" as well as critical recognition for their work. People who were artistically instrumental in the company include the co-founding Artistic Directors Vincent Murphy and Tim McDonough, both of whom acted, directed and wrote for TheaterWorks. The later Artistic Directors David Miller and Downing Cless and playwright-in-residence Jon Lipsky also had significant influence in shaping and maintaining the company.



This collection is connected to Tufts University in several ways: TheaterWorks occasionally performed in a space on-campus, Vincent Murphy was the Head of the Acting/Directing Program (1985-1986), and Downing Cless is a Tufts faculty member.



TheaterWorks stopped producing works in 1989 for artistic, financial and personnel reasons. The founders continue to be actively involved in both academic and regional theater.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

TheaterWorks Records

 Collection
Call Number: MS023
Scope and Contents The TheaterWorks Collection includes production notes, scripts, notes from collaborative projects, publicity (including original posters and programs), financial records, general administrative records, resumes and headshots, photographs and slides, sound and video recordings, grant materials, fundraising and subscriber information. The bulk of the material dates from 1978 to 1989 and documents the many shows and projects TheaterWorks created and participated in as well as the artists and...
Dates: Majority of material found within 1978 -- 1989; 1972 -- 2010
Found in: Tufts Archival Research Center