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The idea for Botanicum Seedlings was planted in 2001 when Theatricum Botanicum awarded its first new play commission and named Jennie Webb as playwright-in-residence. Then, as a direct response to the diminishing opportunities for playwrig
hts at major theatres across the country, the company moved forward again in 2002 by establishing an ongoing development series.
“This series stretches us in an exciting new direction," says Theatricum's Artistic Director Ellen Geer. "We hope to become a much-needed place where emerging playwrights can grow, and new plays take root and come to life.”
Over the past 10 years, Seedlings has supported over 100 new plays through readings and SeedlingsFest, a Festival of (short) Playreadings. While Theatricum is an established classical repertory theatre, known for performing Shakespeare, Moliere, Chekhov, Wilder and Williams, recognizing the importance of new plays is imperative to its growth and survival. Theatricum is excited to invest in the playwrights who are creating the works that reflect our changing times, and perhaps writing the classics of the future. Currently, Ashton Williams acts as the Seedlings Producer, handling play submissions and the program's annual staged Playreadings. As Playwrights' Development Director, Jennie Webb oversees Seedlings, teaches Playwrights Workshops which culminate in developmental GreenReads, and also provides Private Dramaturgy. Family Story Workshops run by Theatricum writers are the newest component of the program.
“New plays don’t just happen,” says Webb. “Our goal with this series has been to focus on the needs of the playwright, figure out what other artists can bring to each work, and then allow an audience to become part of the process–at a certain point, any new play must have an audience.”
To date, the series has presented public readings of works by playwrights throughout the U.S. Appel, Jami Brandli, Mary F. Casey, Damon Chua, Shannon Lee Clair, Michael David, Fengar Gael, Jonathan A. Goldberg, Katherine Griffith, Hoyt Hilsman, Richard Martin Hirsch, Velina Hasu Houston, Katherine James, Diane Lefer, EM Lewis, Lucile Lichtblau, Robin Rice Lichtig, Barbara Lindsay, Ella Martin, James McLindon, Henry Murray, Tira Palmquist, Matt Pelfrey, Michael Premsrirat, Julie Retzlaff, Isabella Russell-Ides, Chelsea Sutton, Stephanie Swirsky, Laura Shamas, Reba Waters Thomas, Jennie Webb and Kyle T. Wilson. Seedlings also provides a means for local directors, dramaturgs and actors to become familiar with Theatricum Botanicum by working in the company’s intimate S. Mark Taper Foundation Pavilion.
