ABOUT US
In
the theatre, everything begins with the play.
In
1994 a group of writers, under the artistic leadership of Stuart Warmflash,
began a theatre workshop that would focus on the written word. Its purpose
was to provide a safe haven for a few dedicated playwrights to express
and refine their personal visions. Soon, an acting company was formed
to support these projects in development. The significant artistic growth
and enthusiastic public response eventually led to the formation of the
non-profit company, which is now incorporated as The Harbor Theatre Company,
Inc. Through the weekly workshops, it has led to the ongoing development
of over four dozen new works and has produced annual public presentations
and full productions.
The
Harbor Approach
The Harbor Theatre’s unique approach charges the playwright
with the responsibility of clarifying and continually refining their work.
The group meets once a week; and each week three playwrights have scenes
from their current work read by company members. Afterwards, the playwrights
have a series of specific questions prepared regarding these scenes. The
actors, directors and fellow playwrights then offer their insights and
feedback.
NEW
AMERICAN PLAYS: A Brief History of the Harbor
As
a playwright I yearned, for many years, to find a workshop made up of
talented, intelligent, supportive and keenly committed writers, actors,
and directors all working together to encourage and provide guidance for
the evolution of works for the stage.
But I had trouble finding an on-going company that was, to my satisfaction, professionally organized and artistically focused. So five years ago I decided to create one. I contacted several playwrights whose work I respected, outlined a plan for a workshop, (including the formation of an acting repertory company appropriate for projects being developed) and in 1994 Playwrights Harbor was born. The name was intentionally metaphoric...a safe haven where playwrights could gather with other theatre artists to develop new works for the stage based upon their personal visions.
But just as traditional ship-building requires diligence, patience, skill, talent and the refining of a craft, so too, the playwrights committed to working on a single play for an entire season, stating their objectives scene by scene, and utilizing the subsequent critical evaluation for more cogently conceived re-writes. The process and structure evolved, the core members became a more tightly knit organization, and over the next few years, public readings were presented. Playwrights Harbor became an extended theatrical family that provided artistic kinships, job opportunities and support for members of a profession known for its transitory nature. Most important, the work became more refined, focused and synergistically powerful.
It was then time to share our work with audiences. We incorporated as The Harbor Theatre, gained our non-profit status, raised funds and began producing Harbor Currents...our annual one-act festival, then the HarboReadings series twice a year. In our last season we produced our second off-Broadway show.
- Stuart Warmflash, Artistic Director
