Woolly Mammoth Theatre Artistic Director Joins Theatre Projects as Artist-in-Residence

To create the most dynamic performance spaces for live theatre, music, and dance, Theatre Projects believes that their staff-from theatre designers to the accounting manager-needs to be fully engaged with what's happening in the arts today. Although their team spends hundreds of hours each week designing those spaces-meeting with users, planning and sketching, looking at drawings, reviewing construction progress, and testing equipment-they still find it important to connect with the art that inhabits those spaces and not just the buildings they design. Theatre Projects believes that extraordinary performance spaces aren't just a product of their design philosophy, they're a result of understanding what's currently happening in the arts and translating that into their work every single day. That has been their approach for almost 60 years, and it continues today.

To stay connected with the arts, Theatre Projects has launched a Guest Speaker Series and an Artist-in-Residence Program. One goal of these initiatives is to engage with the real visionaries in the arts today. "We're building relationships and sharing ideas with some of the most exciting people in the industry. It's a two-way exchange where both sides bring fresh ideas and inspiration to the other's work. The Artist-in-Residence Program is a key element in maintaining fresh insight, perspective, and guidance to our already accomplished staff and leadership," says Chad Morrison, business director for Theatre Projects' US operations. "We're excited to announce that our first Artist-in-Residence is Howard Shalwitz, artistic director of Washington, DC's award-winning Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company."

Last month, Shalwitz joined Theatre Projects for a day to kick off his year-long residency.

Shalwitz is one of the most significant voices in American regional theatre today. He's been the leading visionary behind Woolly Mammoth for 35 seasons, leading the group's adventurous play selection, guiding the development of dozens of new works, and building a renowned artistic company. Under his leadership, Woolly has grown from a modest "alternative" theatre into one of the most influential creators of new theatre in America.

On Monday, September 28, Shalwitz began his tenure with Theatre Projects and engaged in an enlightening back and forth conversation with their team about the current state of theatre, covering everything from changing audience demographics, to new strategies for community engagement, to the shifting direction of scenic design, and the foresight needed to plan effective theatres.

As the program continues, it will invite other artistic, production, and operational professionals for year-long positions working in tandem with Theatre Projects' team, providing insight and inspiration. "With first-hand access to some of the leading creative forces in the industry, we're doing something that no one else is doing," Morrison said. "We don't claim to know every answer to every question, but we certainly have expert resources at our fingertips to find the right solutions for our clients and their theatres."

By engaging artists like Shalwitz, Theatre Projects aims to keep an eye toward the future-to better anticipate and understand clients' needs, and ultimately, to continue to create the most dynamic and efficient performance spaces in the world.

Shalwitz has been widely recognized for his contributions to theatre. In 2014, he received the 2014 Margo Jones Award-a lifetime achievement award for his commitment to new American plays-and in 2012, he was a Distinguished Finalist for the Zelda Fichandler Award for Outstanding Regional Director. He received the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Director for Clybourne Park in 2011, and was nominated for the same award in 2014 for Stupid F*&%ing Bird. In addition to nearly 40 plays at Woolly Mammoth, Shalwitz has also directed for other leading American companies including New York Theatre Workshop, Playwrights Horizons, Arena Stage, and Milwaukee Rep.

In 2000, Theatre Projects began work with Shalwitz and the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company on a new facility to support their vision for their future. The Woolly Mammoth Theatre-a 32,000-square-foot facility with a 265-seat flexible courtyard theatre-opened in 2005 to rave reviews and received major architectural awards. Calling Theatre Projects "the best value in the industry," Shalwitz said, "Because of Theatre Projects' planning, we've been able to use our theatre in every way we originally imagined, but also in ways we didn't know we would ever need. The new facility has expanded Woolly's ambition and impact, and allowed our artistry to grow in boundless new directions. Now, 10 years later, I'm honored to join Theatre Projects as their first Artist-in-Residence. I hope that my experience as a former client and an artistic leader can add value to the great work they are doing in creating distinctive performance venues across the US and around the world."