WRITERS THEATRE INC
321 Park Avenue, Glencoe, IL 60022 www.writerstheatre.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: Writers Theatre (WT) is a literary organization that operates not-for-profit theatres in Glencoe, Illinois. WT exists to explore productions in which the word on the page and the artists who bring that word to life hold primary importance. Central to this mission are three core objectives: valuing text, both classic and contemporary, as the fundamental source of inspiration; creating deliberately intimate performances where audiences are face to face with powerful stories; and honoring the time and commitment of our artists by offering industry-leading compensation. Writers Theatre has earned a reputation for consistent artistic excellence, innovative educational programming and service to our community.

To present world-class productions of classic, adapted, and original plays, and to provide a wide array of education and enrichment programming for area students and theatre-goers.

Artistic Programming:The 2018/19 Season marked WT's 27th year and third full six-play season in the new theatre center. The Season began with Vietgone by Qui Nguyen in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre. With an original hip-hop score by Gabriel Ruiz, choreography by Tommy Rapley and direction by Lavina Jadhwani, Vietgone featured an entirely Asian-American cast and received a one-week extension to meet audience demand. The world premiere of Witch by Jen Silverman followed in the Gillian Theatre, directed by Marti Lyons. Witch, a reinterpretation of the Jacobean drama The Witch of Edmonton, was commissioned and developed through WT's Literary Development Initiative. Writers Theatre's third production of the year, William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, or What You Will, was directed by WT Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and delighted audiences during the holiday season. The season continued in the Nichols Theatre with August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, helmed by WT Resident Director Ron OJ Parson. A Number by Caryl Churchill followed in the Gillian Theatre. This two-man play, directed by Robin Witt, featured longtime WT actor and Resident Director William Brown, and Nate Burger. A Number opened in March and ran through early June. The season closed with a revival of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, Next to Normal. David Cromer, winner of the 2018 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical, returned to direct and the production received national recognition from the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. The play was extended a week due to popular demand and closed on June 30, 2019.

Educational Programming:WT Education's comprehensive in-school, on-site and community-based programming reached close to 11,000 students this past year, 90% of whom live and/or attend school in underserved areas. These programs serve as a vital extension of the company's mission, engaging students with active learning opportunities centered around the written word to augment art-education across Chicago and cultivate the next generation of artists. WT Education is comprised of four pillars: Classroom Residencies, Touring Outreach, Student Matinees, and On-Site Creative Learning. In conjunction with these pillars, WT Education also oversees professional Internships; the WT Youth Council, an artistic leadership advisory board for high school students interested in hands-on exposure to arts administration; and Audience Engagement efforts for life-long learners.IN-SCHOOL RESIDENCIESWT's high-level impact residency programs nurture socio-emotional well-being and encourage students to find power in their creative voice. The Novel Series explores an entire novel through an intensive 10-session process that culminates in a full-class theatrical presentation; Write On! is a customizable residency tailored to focus on an educator's specific classroom needs; ACTIVATE works in tandem with our student matinees to offer pre-and post-show classroom sessions that extend and enhance students' engagement with art on stage. In the 2018-2019 School Year, WT Education engaged 2,118 students across 64 classrooms and community organizations. That same year, WT's residency programs collaborated with 17 returning teachers, building on the previous years to create a deep and sustainable learning experience, and engaged with 4 new classroom teachers.TOURING OUTREACHThe MLK Project: The Fight for Civil Rights is a one-woman show that follows a Chicago student's transformation through studying the Civil Rights Movement. With a post-show discussion facilitated by WT Teaching Artists, The MLK Project promotes civic responsibility and social justice through dialogue and discussion. Nearly three dozen diverse schools and two juvenile correctional facilities across Chicagoland hosted The MLK Project, extending the program's reach to approximately 7,000 young people this year.STUDENT MATINEESWT's 2018/19 Season presented three Student Matinee productions (Witch, Twelfth Night, or What You Will and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom). 1,254 students attended student matinees. ON-SITE CREATIVE LEARNINGWT continues to offer on-site after-school classes for students aged 5 to 12. Held in the new theatre center, On-Site Creative Learning classes invite students to devise their own stories inspired by childhood classics.WT YOUTH COUNCILThe WT Youth Council is a leadership advisory board for motivated high school students to gain hands-on, in-depth exposure to the art and business of theatre. Council members receive behind-the-scenes access to productions, artists, and programs. Students meet 1-2 times a month and attend workshops that nurture and develop their specific interests in the performance arts field. In the 2018-2019 school year, the Council was made up of 9 teens from 6 high schools.

Literary Development Initiative:Since 1992, WT has produced 28 world premieres: 9 plays, 15 adaptations and 4 musicals. In 2004, WT launched the Literary Development Initiative (LDI) to revisit classic works, adapt celebrated literature for the stage and usher forward today's most innovative voices as the classics of the future. During the 2018/19 Season, the LDI hosted 2 public readings of contemporary work, 2 readings of work in development, a workshop for a commissioned play by Eleanor Burgess, and a development residency for Manual Cinema.

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