The News from Louisville
Posted by Edward Sobel on 4/03/2006
I’ve just returned from the weekend in Louisville, Kentucky attending the Humana Festival of New American Plays at the Actors Theater of Louisville. The festival is an annual event, providing wonderful production opportunities for writers, and offering a chance for those of us in the field to connect with colleagues from around the country in a congenial and spirited (and at times spirit-influenced) atmosphere.
The talk in the bar, however, was somewhat discouraging. Many theaters around the country seem to be still suffering from financial setbacks rippling from 9/11 and the subsequent economic downturn. As a consequence, they are finding it more and more difficult to engage in the “risk” of doing new plays. The trip was a reminder for me of how fortunate Steppenwolf is to have such a loyal, devoted base of audience and supporters who not only welcome, but demand we present challenging and innovative work.
It is because of that support that I can report on an exciting part of the weekend. In an award ceremony held during the festival, playwright Adam Rapp was the recipient of a citation from the American Theater Critics Association for his play Red Light Winter. The ACTA recognizes three new plays produced in the United States during the year for outstanding merit. (This year’s other honorees were Lee Blessing and August Wilson). Steppenwolf gave Red Light Winter its premiere production, and it is currently running at the Barrow Street Theater in New York. In his acceptance speech, Adam specifically noted how thankful he was that Steppenwolf had taken the chance on a play that others had been unable or willing to tackle. So I take a moment to pass those thanks on to you.