Howard Shalwitz, Artistic Director of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, has begun a year long Artist-in-Residency program with the Connecticut-based design firm Theatre Projects. But fear not, Shalwitz will be commuting from DC for the residency. His major work will continue to be here with the company he helped found in 1980.
Theatre Projects has designed theatres around the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa and the United States. You have probably been in at least two Theatre Project designed spaces: The Head Theatre for Center Stage in Baltimore, and the 32,000 square foot Woolly Mammoth Theatre with its flexible courtyard theatre.
That project began in 2000 with Howard Shalwitz and the Woolly Mammoth team. “Because of Theatre Projects’ planning,” Shalwitz said, “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.”
Today’s press release reported that 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.
Hi Lorraine,
You don’t know me, and I don’t know you. I’m 70, did a whole bunch of writing in my 20’s and 30’s (to little avail), turned and got a doctorate and got a first job at 50 (wid de Gummit).
Why I write you is I’ve re-discovered a play script of mine from 35 years ago. A stage play of James Joyce’s ULYSSES. It’s really quite good….. still. The Joyce estate has only lost hold of their jealous copyright as of 5 years ago. I was looking to find Howard Stalwitz’ email address. But again, to no avail. So, what the hey, I thought I’d mention this script (and the wonderful idea of putting ULYSSES up on the stage!…..:) to you. Maybe you know somebody or some theater company in the area that might be interested in looking at the idea (and the script). I’ve never tried to peddle this script before this year. I also now am able to have it in PDF format. I used only Joyce’s own ULYSSES words in the entirety of the script. The staging (and some creative role-play-assignments) are all mine and detailed, with Joycean panache if I do say so myself.
I could go on and on, but let this intro suffice. If you and anyone you know in the theater here in the DC area are interested I’d happily pass the script along.
Thanks for your consideration.