Here at The Acting Company we are gearing up for our next exciting season. Look for us in New York City and across the country on our 2008-2009 National Tour with William Shakespeare’s Henry V and The Spy by Jeffrey Hatcher, based on the novel by James Fenimore Cooper. Click on the images to discover our pages dedicated to each production.
The Spy
Continuing its highly praised series of commissioned new plays adapted from American literary masterpieces, The Acting Company presents The Guthrie's Associate Artistic Director - John Miller-Stephany - directing The Spy. Noted playwright Jeffrey Hatcher has written this World Premiere of the book by James Fenimore Cooper - the country's first successful novelist and inventor of the American war novel genre.
The best of Cooper's historical romances, The Spy, a tale of espionage, romance and intrigue, does what few histories have ever done fairly-present both sides of the fateful conflict. In Hatcher's riveting adaptation about the American Revolution, a family in New York Colony is torn between British loyalists and Revolutionary sympathizers. This thrilling adventure not only features the first American spy, it also skillfully weaves into the story our first double agent, a mysterious peddler whom the whole countryside suspects is a traitor working for the Crown, but who is, in fact, working for General George Washington.
At long last, this innovative genius of American literature is presented as captivating theater.
Henry V
Minneapolis' Guthrie Theater and The Acting Company will co-produce and tour King Henry V.
Young, restless and ambitious, Henry V inherits a troubled crown and seeks to secure his position at home by turning the country's attention abroad, launching a hasty invasion of France. Shakespeare's charismatic warrior King's aggressive pursuit of the French crown earns him iconic status, uniting England and France and briefly banishing the civil strife that will long outlive him.
This Shakespearean epic follows Henry and his men through the brutality of warfare as the ragtag band confronts heavy opposition and their own destinies. Directed by Davis McCallum, the play expertly balances the thrilling heroics of battle with the painful and complex reactions of men who are sometimes unsure of the justice of their cause as an unnamed Chorus offers running commentary on their action...a rousing, fascinating story of the power of courage and the price of glory.
"Once more unto the breach, dear friends..."
THE ACTING COMPANY’S
production is part of Shakespeare for a New Generation,
a national theater initiative sponsored by
the National Endowment for the Arts in
cooperation with Arts Midwest.
SHAKESPEAREAN quote of the week
"O God of battles! steel my soldiers' hearts;
Possess them not with fear; take from them now
The sense of reckoning, if the opposed numbers
Pluck their hearts from them. Not to-day, O Lord,
O, not to-day, think not upon the fault
My father made in compassing the crown!
I Richard's body have interred anew;
And on it have bestow'd more contrite tears
Than from it issued forced drops of blood:
Five hundred poor I have in yearly pay,
Who twice a-day their wither'd hands hold up
Toward heaven, to pardon blood; and I have built
Two chantries, where the sad and solemn priests
Sing still for Richard's soul. More will I do;
Though all that I can do is nothing worth,
Since that my penitence comes after all,
Imploring pardon."
-Henry Henry V, Act IV, Scene 1
TAC over the years
1972-73
WOMEN BEWARE WOMEN
by Thomas Middleton, directed by Michael Kahn
THE LOWER DEPTHS
by Maxim Gorky, directed by Boris Tumarin
RING ROUND THE MOON
by Jean Anouilh, directed by Stephen Aaron
INTERVIEW
by Jean Claude Van Itallie
directed by Gene Lesser
THE INDIAN WANTS THE BRONX
by Israel Horovitz, directed by Gene Lesser
THE HOSTAGE
by Brendan Behan, directed by Gene Lesser
U.S.A.
by Paul Shyre and John Dos Passos,
directed by Anne McNaughton *(1973-74)
THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL
by Richard Brinsley Sheridan,
directed by Gerald Freedman
1973-74
NEXT TIME I’LL SING TO YOU
by James Saunders, directed by Marian Seldes
MEASURE FOR MEASURE
by William Shakespeare,
directed by John Houseman
THE THREE SISTERS
by Anton Chekhov, directed by Boris Tumarin
*(1974-75; 1975-76)
THE BEGGAR’S OPERA
by John Gay, directed by Gene Lesser
THE KNACK
by Ann Jellicoe, directed by Garland Wright
SCAPIN
by Moliere, directed by Pierre Lefevre
THE BEAR
by Anton Chekhov, directed by Boris Tumarin
THE DIARY OF ADAM AND EVE
FROM THE APPLE TREE
by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick,
directed by Gerald Gutierrez
1974-75
EDWARD II
by Christopher Marlowe,
directed by Ellis Rabb
PLAY
by Samuel Beckett,
directed by Jack O’Brien
THE ORCHESTRA
by Jean Anouilh, directed by Jack O’Brien
LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST
by William Shakespeare,
directed by Gerald Freedman
*(1975-76; 1976-77)
THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE
by William Saroyan,
directed by Jack O’Brien *(1975-76)
1975-76
SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER
by Oliver Goldsmith,
directed by Stephen Porter
ARMS AND THE MAN
by George Bernard Shaw,
directed by Edward Payson Call
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
by William Shakespeare,
directed by Gerald Gutierrez
THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM
by Alfred Uhry and Robert Waldman,
directed by Gerald Freedman
1976-77
THE KITCHEN
by Arnold Wesker, directed by Boris Tumarin
THE WAY OF THE WORLD
by William Congreve,
directed by Norman Ayrton
CAMINO REAL
by Tennessee Williams,
directed by Gerald Freedman *(1977-78)
DUCK VARIATIONS
by David Mamet,
directed by Gerald Gutierrez
1977-78
KING LEAR
by William Shakespeare,
directed by John Houseman
CHAPEAU
by Alfred Uhry and Robert Waldman,
directed by Gerald Freedman
MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN
by Bertolt Brecht, directed by Alan Schneider
1978-79
ANTIGONE
by Jean Anouilh, directed by Alan Schneider
*(1979-80)
ROMEO AND JULIET
by William Shakespeare,
directed by Nagle Jackson
A VOICE OF MY OWN
by Elinor Jones, directed by Amy Saltz
BROADWAY
by George Abbott and Philip Dunning,
directed by Gerald Gutierrez *(1979-80)
1979-80
THE WHITE DEVIL
by John Webster, directed by Michael Kahn
DOMINO COURTS
by William Hauptman,
directed by Richard Hamburger
SPLIT
by Michael Weller,
directed by Jonathan Furst
ELIZABETH I
by Paul Foster, directed by Liviu Ciulei
1980-81
WAITING FOR GODOT
by Samuel Beckett,
directed by Alan Schneider *(1981-82)
IL CAMPIELLO, A VENETIAN COMEDY
by Carlo Goldoni,
directed by Liviu Ciulei *(1981-82)
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
by William Shakespeare,
directed by David Chambers and
Christopher J. Markle *(1981-82)
1981-82
THE COUNTRY WIFE
by William Wycherley,
directed by Garland Wright *(1982-83)
TWELFTH NIGHT
by William Shakespeare,
directed by Michael Langham
*(1982-83)
1982-83
TARTUFFE
by Moliere, directed by Brian Murray
PERICLES
by William Shakespeare,
directed by Toby Robertson *(1983-84)
PLAY AND OTHER PLAYS
by Samuel Beckett,
directed by Alan Schneider *(1983-84)
THE CRADLE WILL ROCK
by Marc Blitzstein,
directed by John Houseman
(Alumni Ensemble Production)
1983-84
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
by William Shakespeare,
directed by Michael Kahn
PIECES OF 8, EIGHT CONTEMPORARY
ONE-ACT PLAYS
directed by Alan Schneider *(1984-85)
THE CRADLE WILL ROCK
by Marc Blitzstein,
directed by John Houseman and Christopher J. Markle
1984-85
THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH
by Thornton Wilder,
directed by Gerald Freedman
A NEW WAY TO PAY OLD DEBTS
by Philip Massinger, directed by Michael Kahn
AS YOU LIKE IT
by William Shakespeare,
directed by Mervyn Willis *(1985-86)
1985-86
ORCHARDS: SEVEN AMERICAN
PLAYWRIGHTS PRESENT STORIES BY
CHEKHOV
by Maria Irene Fornes, Spalding Gray, John Guare,
David Mamet, Wendy Wasserstein, Michael Weller
and Samm-Art Williams,
directed by Robert Falls *(1986-87)
TEN BY TENNESSEE, A RETROSPECTIVE
OF ONE-ACT PLAYS BY
TENNESSEE WILLIAMS
directed by Michael Kahn
(Alumni Ensemble Production)
1986-87
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
by William Shakespeare,
directed by Gerald Gutierrez *(1987-88)
THE GILDED AGE
by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner,
adapted by Constance Congdon,
directed by Mark Lamos *(1987-88)
ON THE VERGE OR THE GEOGRAPHY
OF YEARNING
by Eric Overmyer, directed by Garland Wright
(Alumni Ensemble Production)
1987-88
FIVE BY TENN, A RETROSPECTIVE
OF ONE-ACT PLAYS BY
TENNESSEE WILLIAMS
directed by Michael Kahn
KABUKI MACBETH
by Karen Sunde, directed by Shozo Sato
THE WITCH OF EDMONTON
by Thomas Dekker, John Ford and
William Rowley,
directed by Barry Kyle
(Alumni Ensemble Production)
1988-89
LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST
by William Shakespeare,
directed by Paul Giovanni
BOY MEETS GIRL
by Bella and Samuel Spewack,
directed by Brian Murray
THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH
by Susan Nanus, based upon the book by
Norton Juster, directed by Jennifer McCray
1989-90
ROMEO AND JULIET
by William Shakespeare,
directed by Leon Rubin *(1990-91)
1990-91
THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
by William Shakespeare,
directed by Charles Newell
FIVE BY TENN, A RETROSPECTIVE
OF ONE-ACT PLAYS BY
TENNESSEE WILLIAMS
directed by Michael Kahn,
(Soviet and Eastern European Tour –
Alumni Ensemble Production)
1991-92
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
by William Shakespeare,
directed by Joe Dowling
BLOOD KNOT
by Athol Fugard, directed by Tazewell Thompson
1993-94
THE AFRICAN COMPANY PRESENTS
“RICHARD III”
by Carlyle Brown,
directed by Clinton Turner Davis *(1994-95)
A DOLL’S HOUSE
by Henrik Ibsen,
directed by Zelda Fichandler *(1994-95)
TWELFTH NIGHT
by William Shakespeare, directed by Bartlett Sher
1994-95
OTHELLO
by William Shakespeare,
directed by Penny Metropulos
1995-96
ARMS AND THE MAN
by George Bernard Shaw,
directed by Mark Rucker
KING HENRY V
by William Shakespeare,
directed by Mary Lou Rosato
THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL
by Richard Brinsley Sheridan,
directed by Gerald Freedman
(Alumni Ensemble Production)
1996-97
AS YOU LIKE IT
by William Shakespeare,
directed by Liviu Cuilei
THE GLASS MENAGERIE
by Tennessee Williams,
directed by Gregory S. Hurst
MUD, RIVER, STONE
by Lynn Nottage, directed by Seret Scott
1997-98
ROMEO AND JULIET
by William Shakespeare,
directed by James Bundy
LOVE’S FIRE: FRESH NUMBERS BY
SEVEN AMERICAN PLAYWRIGHTS
by Eric Bogosian, William Finn, John Guare,
Tony Kushner, Marsha Norman, Ntozake Shange
and Wendy Wasserstein,
directed by Mark Lamos
1998-99
TWELFTH NIGHT
by William Shakespeare,
directed by Penny Metropulos
TARTUFFE
by Moliere, directed by Mark Ax,
based on Garland Wright’s original production
1999-2000
MACBETH
by William Shakespeare,
directed by Anne Justine D’Zmura
THE RIVALS
by Richard Brinsley Sheridan,
directed by Nicholas Martin
2000-01
O PIONEERS!
adapted by Darrah Cloud from the novel
by Willa Cather, with music composed by
Kim D. Sherman,
directed by Richard Corley
THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
by William Shakespeare, directed by John Rando
2001-02
PUDD’NHEAD WILSON
adapted by Charles Smith from the novel by
Mark Twain, directed by Walter Dallas
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
by William Shakespeare, directed by Eve Shapiro
2002-03
AMERICAN DREAMS: LOST AND FOUND
adapted by Peter Frisch from the book by
Studs Terkel, with lyrics by Lois Walden,
Music by Nana Samapoulos,
directed by Rebecca Guy
AS YOU LIKE IT
by William Shakespeare,
directed by Richard Corley
2003-04
MURDER BY POE
by Jeffrey Hatcher, adapted from the stories of
Edgar Allan Poe,
directed by John Miller-Stephany
RICHARD III
by William Shakespeare, directed by Eve Shapiro
2004-05
THE TURN OF THE SCREW
by Jeffrey Hatcher, adapted by Henry James,
directed by Davis McCallum
THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
by William Shakespeare, directed by Matt August
2005-06
THE THREE MUSKETEERS
by Alexandre Dumas, adapted by Linda Alper,
Douglas Langworthy and Penny Metropulos,
directed by Casey Biggs
MACBETH
by William Shakespeare, directed by Eve Shapiro
2006-07
JANE EYRE
by Charlotte Bronte, adapted by Polly Teale,
directed by Davis McCallum
2007-08
THE TEMPEST
by William Shakespeare
directed by Davis McCallum
MOBY DICK REHEARSED
by Herman Melville, adapted by Orson Welles
directed by Casey Biggs
* Indicates that it remained in the repertory for listed seasons
Listen to what TAC Alumnus, Kevin Kline, has to say about America’s premiere touring company.
The name says it! The focus of The Acting Company – America’s premiere touring repertory theater – is on the actor. Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone, Jesse L. Martin, Frances Conroy, David Schramm, David Ogden Stiers, Rainn Wilson and Jeffrey Wright are but a few of the most significant performing artists of our time whose careers have been cultivated by the Company. In collaboration with leading directors and designers, The Acting Company dusts off the classics and introduces exciting, original theater to audiences across America, bringing to theatergoers the thrill of being among the first to see our next great stage stars.
Two of our original Company members, Kevin Kline and Patti LuPone, in our 1975 production ofThe Robber Bridegroom.
Click on the image below to read what Jesse L. Martin has to say about his experiences with The Acting Company.
History of the acting company
The Acting Company, honored by the TONY’s in 2003, has performed over 100 plays for millions of people across the country and around the world. Its Education Programs, including master classes, student matinees and artistic residencies, have reached tens of thousands of students. Founded in 1972 by John Houseman and current Producing Artistic Director Margot Harley with the first graduating class of Juilliard School’s Drama Division, the Company has developed the careers of some of America’s finest actors. Winner of the Obie, Audelco, and Los Angeles Critics Award, The Acting Company received a TONY Honor for Excellence in Theater.
The Acting Company promotes theater and literacy by bringing a touring repertory of classical productions, talented young actors and teaching artists into communities across America, particularly where live performance and theater arts education is limited or non-existent. Each year, The Acting Company performs in over 50 cities to audiences of 70,000 and reaches more than 25,000 students with its arts education programs. Read more about some of our programs below!
LTT literacy through theater
”Your Teaching Artist was a hit with the high school students; they did creative exercises with her that they would never have done for anyone else. So creative herself, she says to others: “Allow yourself to feel, to experience all you can in life” and people respond, “Yes!”
-Director of Education, Findlay, OH
This is just one of the wonderful things that students and educators have to say about The Acting Company and our Teaching Artists. TAC offers an intensive, five-school day “Arts Residency” for High School and Junior High School students in select communities. This program accompanies performances in cities on the Company’s national tour and is intended to aid in the student’s preparation for seeing shows in the company’s repertoire.
Shakespeare for teachers
2007-2008The Acting Company recently completed our second season of Shakespeare for Teachers: The Bard Unbound. We had 6 very successful sessions in New York City (including one through The Leadership Program) as well as one in Ft. Worth, Texas and one in West Palm Beach, Florida. Shakespeare for Teachers: Tier II also made it’s premier to excellent reviews. These are workshops designed for all educators who like Shakespeare, love Shakespeare, have heard of Shakespeare or have a good, healthy fear of Shakespeare. Lead by our Director of Education, Paul Fontana, and an Alumni/Teaching Artists, Shakespeare for Teachers offers you exercises and techniques with which to approach the works of William Shakespeare in the classroom that make is anything but stale, boring words on a page.
This year we will continue withShakespeare for Teachers at The Baruch Performing Arts Center and we will also be coming directly into your schools this year!
Click on the image below to find out more about Shakespeare for Teachers.
2008-2009 Company
MEET THIS YEAR'S CAST!!!
COMING SOON!!!
2007-2008 a look back
TOUR 2008-2009
Are we coming to your town? Keep checking back because we are adding tour stops every day!
Jan. 10-Feb. 1 – Minneapolis, MN – The Guthrie Theater
Feb. 4 – Bloomington, IN – Platteville Center for the Arts
Feb. 6-7 – West Lafayette, IN – Purdue University
Feb. 9 - Arkadelphia, AR - TBA*
Feb. 10 – Poplar Bluff, MO – TBA*
Feb. 13-14 – St. Louis, MO – Washington University in St. Louis
Feb. 15 – Glen Ellyn, IL – College of DuPage
Feb. 18 – Harrisburg, PA – Harrisburg Area Community College
Feb. 19 – Houghton, NY – Houghton College Chapel Auditorium
Feb. 21-22 – Hampton, VA – American Theatre
Feb. 27-Mar. 8 – New York, NY – New Victory Theatre
Mar. 10-11 – Washington, NC – Turnage Theater
Mar. 12 – Weldon, NC – TBA*
Mar. 13 – Milledgeville, GA – Russell Auditorium*
Mar. 16 – Baton Rouge, LA – Baton Rouge Community College*
Mar. 19 – Telluride, CO – Michael D. Palm Theater*
Mar. 20 – Sante Fe, MN – Lensic Performing Arts Center
Mar. 21-22 – Las Cruces, NM – New Mexico State University
Mar. 22 – Alto, NM – TBA*
Mar. 24-29 – Phoenix, AZ – Herberger Theater Center
Mar. 31-Apr. 5 – Tucson, AZ – Temple of Music and Art
Apr. 14 – Starkville, MS – Link Center*
Apr. 15 – Auburn, AL – Telfair B. Peet Theater
Apr. 16 – Newberry, SC – Newberry Opera House
Apr. 18 – Hopkinsville, KY – Alhambra Theatre*
Apr. 21 – University Park, PA – Penn State University
Apr. 23 – New Brunswick, NJ – State Theatre of New Jersey
Apr. 25-26 – Fairfax, VA – George Mason University
Apr. 28 – Frostburg, MD – Frostburg State University
May 1-10 – New York, NY – Baruch Performing Arts Center
May 12 – Burlington, VT – Flynn Center for the Performing Arts
May 13 – Ogdensburg, NY – Ogdensburg Free Academy
May 15 – South Orange, NJ – South Orange Performing Arts Center
May 16-17 – Purchase, NY – Purchase College
*pending confirmation. Keep checking for updates.
Indicates Henry V
Indicates The Spy
Indicates both shows in repertory
Contact us
If you have any questions, comments or would like to speak with someone at The Acting Company. Please contact:
Justin Gallo
Education Associate
PO BOX 898
New York, NY 10108
(212) 258-3111
education@theactingcompany.org
Thanks for the add, TAC! You've been a tremendously important force in keeping live theatre living and vital. Let us know if there is anything we can do to support your mission, or find opportunities for creative exchange.
I've been a huge fan of this company ever since I saw Murder by Poe when I first arrived in New York. As an actor and theater animal I love the work you do and hope to be a part of it someday!
