New Theatre Artists to Take Over The Welders

The Welders-Washington's only playwrights' collective devoted exclusively to developing and producing new work-are about to pass the torch to eight D.C. theater artists who will take over the collective on August 1, 2016.

The Welders' founding members-playwrights Bob Bartlett, Renee Calarco, Allyson Currin, Caleen Sinnette Jennings, and Gwydion Suilebhan and Executive and Creative Director Jojo Ruf-are giving the company to a new generation of theater artists. The new Welders will be playwrights Brett Abelman, Annalisa Dias, Hannah Hessel Ratner, Rachel Hynes, Alexandra Petri, Deb Sivigny, and Stephen Spotswood. Ronee Penoi will be the company's Creative Producer. The new generation of Welders will carry the company forward through 2019, then will select their successors, and so on into the foreseeable future.

The transitioning of the company is integral to The Welders' operating structure and inspired the founding Welders' motto of "Three years, five plays, pass it on."

"It's a bittersweet moment for us," says Ruf. "Over the past three years, we poured our hearts and souls into the company. We were honored to receive The John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company. We've created extraordinary work and forged lasting friendships. But we're also looking forward to see what exciting works the new Welders have in store for D.C."

Penoi is looking forward to the transition. "We're in awe of The Welders and it's been thrilling to watch the company become an artistic force in Washington. We can't wait to jump in and carry that legacy forward."

The official handoff of the company will happen at The Weld-the annual celebration of The Welders' birthday-on July 31, 2016 at Smith Public Trust. The party begins at 5:00 pm. Tickets are available at https://thewelders.givezooks.com/events/the-weld.

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