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Just How Does A Play Get Made? Seattle Rep’s New Online Series ‘Plays In Process’ Gives Audiences A Rare Glimpse Into The Artist Creative Process

Seattle, WA (December 17, 2020) — With community connection and the celebration of live theater at heart, Seattle Rep is excited to announce its new virtual series,Plays in Process, a unique program that gives audiences rare exposure to the raw, behind-the-scenes creative process of plays on the horizon at Seattle Rep. Hosted by Artistic Director Braden Abraham, Plays in Process will feature top playwrights, directors, actors, and musicians including Uma Thurman(Kill Bill​), Cheryl L. West(Shout Sister Shout!​), David Strathairn(Good Night and Good Luck), Taylor Schilling​ (“Orange is the New Black”), E. Faye Butler (Pullman Porter Blues), Erica Schmidt(MAC BETH), and more in monthly installments that will get underway in January 2021.

Plays in Process events will range in focus, but always showcase a diverse range of extraordinary artists in the exploration of key elements in a play’s production work. Each unique session will feature a different play in development and its artists will reflect on the specific decisions that went into creating various aspects of that play. From acting choices to line rewrites to musical arrangements, audiences will get a first-hand account of just how a play collaboratively came together.In a year when we can’t be together, Seattle Rep’s Plays in Process offers the greater community a chance to virtually come back to the theater for a unique taste of what is to come at Seattle Rep.

“Typically, all crucial play development happens around desks and tables and in the rehearsal room—long before an actor makes it to the stage for their live performance—so ticket holders don’t often learn of the intricate and collaborative moments that lead to a final creative product. From the early readings and rehearsals, to the rewrites and the musical compositions, the process can be private and internal, and also very collaborative and engaging. With Plays in Process, we hope to pull the curtain back on some of that process. The artists involved will reflect on their creative experiences, offering audiences a raw and honest look at how elements of their work came to be. We are excited to see Seattle audiences again through this program, and also invite anyone intrigued by the subject matter to join us. The talent and artistry involved is nothing short of extraordinary, and we’re really looking forward to the work,” said Artistic Director Braden Abraham.

Seattle Rep announced titles and select artists involved in the first three Plays in Process events including Fannieby Seattle playwright Cheryl L. West with actor ​E. Faye Butler​; a new translation of Henrik Ibsen’s Ghostsdirected by Carey Perloff​ with actors Uma Thurman​ and David Strathairn​; and a new adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamletadapted by Erica Schmidt​—the director/playwright behind Seattle Rep’s wildly successful adaptation of ​MAC BETH​ in 2018—featuring actor ​Taylor Schilling​. Additional titles in the five-part series will be announced in early 2021.

The full five-part series pass is now available to purchase at the suggested price of $75. Individual event tickets will go on sale in early 2021. Reservations are required for these events and pay what you choose options will be available. Purchase your pass today at seattlerep.org/playsinprocess

ABOUT SEATTLE REP

Seattle Rep puts theater at the heart of public life. Founded in 1963 and winner of the 1990 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, Seattle Rep is currently led by Artistic Director Braden Abraham and Managing Director Jeffrey Herrmann. Over a season and throughout the year, Seattle Rep collaborates with extraordinary artists to create productions and programs that reflect and elevate the diverse cultures, perspectives, and life experiences of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle Rep’s nationally recognized programs include the New Play Program, Seattle Rep’s Public Works, the August Wilson Monologue Competition, Pay What You Choose ticketing options, and numerous audience enrichment and engagement opportunities including post-play panels, discussions, and community events and presentations.

Seattle Rep has always been committed to supporting new work from playwrights, directors, composers, and more. Through commissions and its new play development lab, The Other Season, Seattle Rep offers artists the resources they need to bring the next great play to life. Recent and notable commissions that have been produced on Seattle Rep’s stages include Pullman Porter Blues,​ ​Lizard Boy​, ​The Great Society,​ ​The Great Wilderness,and the adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’sThe Hound of the Baskervilles.​ The commission projects announced today represent the largest, most sustainable, consistent, and robust commissioning program the organization has ever committed to.

Seattle Rep’s artistic staff reads material for consideration from a variety of sources including agent recommendations, colleague theater seasons, the Kilroys List, and more. Seattle Rep is dedicated to considering work by BIPOC and female identifying/trans/non-binary artists and commits to that work representing at least half of the scripts read by our season planning committee. All artists selected for commissioning programs are committed to Seattle Rep’s racial equity policies as part of their commission partnership.

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Just How Does A Play Get Made? Seattle Rep’s New Online Series ‘Plays In Process’ Gives Audiences A Rare Glimpse Into The Artist Creative Process