Actors Theatre of Columbus
Encyclopedia
Actors Theatre of Columbus is a performing arts
theater troupe located in Columbus, Ohio
. It was founded in 1982 by Gary and Patricia Ellson, and was initially called Actors' Summer Theatre. Actors' Theater presents plays by William Shakespeare and other time-honored playwrights, with relevance, to a contemporary audience.
". The success of that season proved that Schiller Park was an excellent venue for open air Shakespearean Theater, and the troupe returned the following summer with two productions; Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night", and the troupe's first Broadway musical, "Oklahoma
".
In 2011 the troupe will celebrate its 30th annual season. Over the last 30 years the troupe has increased its schedule from one production to two in their second season, and three productions each summer from their third season on. They briefly increased to four productions during the 2005-2007 seasons, but returned to three productions since the 2008 season. As part of their "Cool Classics" series, productions have also occasionally been performed at indoor venues. By far the most frequently produced play is Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream
", which has had five productions to date.
The troupe first performed on the grass, and later on a simple wooden stage erected at the southern end of Schiller Park. The stage had to be erected and struck for each performance. Costumes and props were stored in the Ellson's home nearby, which also served as dressing room and rehearsal space. In 1995 a permanent stage was constructed on the troupe's traditional performance site. This brick and concrete platform is completely open above, allowing the construction of multi-story sets that can remain intact throughout a production's run. Under the concrete stage is an enclosed storage area that also serves as a dressing room. The troupe's success is at least partly due to the popularity of open air theatre in Columbus. Though some productions are cancelled, or stopped in mid performance due to rain, the stage's scenic location within the park allows the audience to view the show from a gentle slope facing the stage. Audiences have a choice of bringing their own chairs, or using blankets. Food and drink is permitted during the shows. Outdoor summer shows are free and open to the public, though donations are encouraged.
Although they had moved on to other activities years before, during the 2006 season Gary and Patricia Ellson would return to co-write, produce and direct a unique musical adaptation of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night". It would be the pair's final involvement with the troupe they had formed. Gary Ellson, already diagnosed with cancer during the shows run, would die from the disease in 2008.
Actors' Theatre has also departed from their traditional venue to perform productions on stages outside of Schiller Park. Indoor venues were used for off-season plays. In 2011 a production of "The Trojan Women
", by Euripides
, was performed at the Columbus School for Girls
. Also a production of Columbus playwright James Thurber
's "The Male Animal
" staged at the Columbus Performing Arts Center.
Artistic Director, John S. Kuhn, has been involved with the theatre since 2002. Executive Director, Frank A. Barnhart
, has also been with the company since 2004.
Performing arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
theater troupe located in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
. It was founded in 1982 by Gary and Patricia Ellson, and was initially called Actors' Summer Theatre. Actors' Theater presents plays by William Shakespeare and other time-honored playwrights, with relevance, to a contemporary audience.
History
In 1982 Actors' Theatre kicked off its first season with a single production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's DreamA Midsummer Night's Dream
A Midsummer Night's Dream is a play that was written by William Shakespeare. It is believed to have been written between 1590 and 1596. It portrays the events surrounding the marriage of the Duke of Athens, Theseus, and the Queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta...
". The success of that season proved that Schiller Park was an excellent venue for open air Shakespearean Theater, and the troupe returned the following summer with two productions; Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night", and the troupe's first Broadway musical, "Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
".
In 2011 the troupe will celebrate its 30th annual season. Over the last 30 years the troupe has increased its schedule from one production to two in their second season, and three productions each summer from their third season on. They briefly increased to four productions during the 2005-2007 seasons, but returned to three productions since the 2008 season. As part of their "Cool Classics" series, productions have also occasionally been performed at indoor venues. By far the most frequently produced play is Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream
A Midsummer Night's Dream
A Midsummer Night's Dream is a play that was written by William Shakespeare. It is believed to have been written between 1590 and 1596. It portrays the events surrounding the marriage of the Duke of Athens, Theseus, and the Queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta...
", which has had five productions to date.
The troupe first performed on the grass, and later on a simple wooden stage erected at the southern end of Schiller Park. The stage had to be erected and struck for each performance. Costumes and props were stored in the Ellson's home nearby, which also served as dressing room and rehearsal space. In 1995 a permanent stage was constructed on the troupe's traditional performance site. This brick and concrete platform is completely open above, allowing the construction of multi-story sets that can remain intact throughout a production's run. Under the concrete stage is an enclosed storage area that also serves as a dressing room. The troupe's success is at least partly due to the popularity of open air theatre in Columbus. Though some productions are cancelled, or stopped in mid performance due to rain, the stage's scenic location within the park allows the audience to view the show from a gentle slope facing the stage. Audiences have a choice of bringing their own chairs, or using blankets. Food and drink is permitted during the shows. Outdoor summer shows are free and open to the public, though donations are encouraged.
Although they had moved on to other activities years before, during the 2006 season Gary and Patricia Ellson would return to co-write, produce and direct a unique musical adaptation of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night". It would be the pair's final involvement with the troupe they had formed. Gary Ellson, already diagnosed with cancer during the shows run, would die from the disease in 2008.
Actors' Theatre has also departed from their traditional venue to perform productions on stages outside of Schiller Park. Indoor venues were used for off-season plays. In 2011 a production of "The Trojan Women
The Trojan Women
The Trojan Women is a tragedy by the Greek playwright Euripides. Produced during the Peloponnesian War, it is often considered a commentary on the capture of the Aegean island of Melos and the subsequent slaughter and subjugation of its populace by the Athenians earlier in 415 BC , the same year...
", by Euripides
Euripides
Euripides was one of the three great tragedians of classical Athens, the other two being Aeschylus and Sophocles. Some ancient scholars attributed ninety-five plays to him but according to the Suda it was ninety-two at most...
, was performed at the Columbus School for Girls
Columbus School for Girls
-History:Columbus School for Girls was founded in 1898 by Mary Bole Scott and Florence Kelley, answering the need for a private school for girls in the wealthy Columbus neighborhood of Bullitt Park...
. Also a production of Columbus playwright James Thurber
James Thurber
James Grover Thurber was an American author, cartoonist and celebrated wit. Thurber was best known for his cartoons and short stories published in The New Yorker magazine.-Life:...
's "The Male Animal
The Male Animal
The Male Animal is a Warner Brothers film starring Henry Fonda, Olivia de Havilland and Joan Leslie.The film was based on a hit 1940 Broadway play of the same name written by James Thurber and Elliott Nugent. The screenplay was written by Stephen Morehouse Avery, Julius J. Epstein, and Philip G....
" staged at the Columbus Performing Arts Center.
Artistic Director, John S. Kuhn, has been involved with the theatre since 2002. Executive Director, Frank A. Barnhart
Frank A. Barnhart
Frank A. Barnhart is an American actor, producer, director, and college professor. An openly gay man, his primary work is in Gay and Lesbian Theatre. He was responsible for moving "The National Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival" to Columbus, Ohio in 2002. He was director of The Columbus National Gay...
, has also been with the company since 2004.