A.C.T. Celebrates 25th Anniversary of WORDS ON PLAYS

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) announced today that Words on Plays-the institution's in-depth performance guide series-is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Created in 1994 in response to audience members requesting the program before seeing the show, this entertaining and informative publication offers revealing artist interviews, original articles, and additional background information about the historical and cultural context of the plays included in A.C.T.'s subscription season.

"Through penetrating interviews with brilliant artists, deep dives into the history and cultural context of the work, and stimulating articles about the questions it raises, each edition of Words on Plays spurs insight and conversation," said Joy Meads, A.C.T.'s Director of Dramaturgy and New Works. "Words on Plays is an invaluable resource for anyone eager to engage more deeply with the work on stage and what it reveals about ourselves and our society."

Originally a print-only publication created in-house at A.C.T. with a photocopier,Words on Plays is now offered digitally and in a sleek print format. Additionally, A.C.T. has now made all editions of Words on Plays available online with a new indexing system to assist educators, students, and theater-lovers alike in finding productions and topics of interest. The archives may be accessed online at act-sf.org/wordsonplays.

Within the last 25 years, there have been 175 editions of Words on Plays, accounting for a total of 269 interviews, 1,158 original articles, 8,643 total pages, and 3.2 million total words. Words on Plays has featured interviews with notable subjects from the world of theater including five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman,Academy Award-winning playwright and screenwriter Tarell Alvin McCraney(creator of "Moonlight"), Tony Award winning-playwright David Henry Hwang,playwright José Rivera, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet, Tony Award-winning actor Bill Irwin, former Artistic Director of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Emma Rice, Drama Desk and Obie Award-winning director Rachel Chavkin, award-winning Bay Area playwright Lauren Yee, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage, Tony Award nominee John Douglas Thompson, and acclaimed playwright Mfoniso Udofia.

Says Bill Irwin, "Words on Plays can often make the difference between a squirmy, uneasy launch with an audience and an early-on feeling of engagement-of synch. For an actor, the feeling is palpable. This group of people I'm stepping in front of has a feeling for what we're up to here. We're in the same room together. So much better than when that's not the case."

Adds Tamilla Woodard, director of A.C.T.'s recent production of Men on Boats, "Offering a high-level critical examination of the world of the play, Words on Playscircumvents the analytical and explanatory leanings of similar efforts and provides the reader with a richly panoramic addition to the theatrical experience. This gorgeous publication is a deep dive for the curious minded. With its vibrant photos and illustrations, and compelling essays and artists interviews, Words on Playsextends the experience of the theatrical event. Whether you read it pre-performance or post attendance, it feeds the imagination and offers a way for the artists surrounding the play, the play itself and the spectator to continue the conversation with each other! You will devour it cover to cover."

Words on Plays is currently written and edited by A.C.T.'s Publications team: Simon Hodgson, Elspeth Sweatman, and Annie Sears. Other key contributors in recent seasons include Joy Meads, Allie Moss, Pam MacKinnon, Michael Paller, Elizabeth Brodersen, Kayla Minton Kaufman, and Ariana Johnson.

Words on Plays remains A.C.T.'s primary education tool, sent free of charge to all teachers bringing their students to see A.C.T. shows. Each purchase of Words on Plays directly supports the ACTsmart education programs, serving teachers and students throughout the Bay Area. Words on Plays can be purchased show-by-show online or at the theater, and season-long subscriptions are also available as at act-sf.org/wordsonplays or by calling 415.749.2250.