Arena Stage: Pioneers of American Theater

By Broadway Magazine Staff

An Exclusive with artistic director Molly Smith

"Arena is one of the pioneers of the non-profit theater movement," muses artistic director, Molly Smith as she contemplates the 60th anniversary of Arena Stage. This Washington, D.C. based theatre has taken on a lead role in the making of American Theatre history.

"Arena stage was one of the first theatres to travel behind the iron curtain. Arena Stage took two of its productions from the bicentennial year into Moscow and it was really a galvanizing moment for the whole company and also for Russia."

In addition to international tours, Arena Stage was breaking ground on home front: "it was the first theater to have accessibility; it was the first theatre to offer programming on Monday nights with readings and workshops; it was the first theater to win a Tony outside of New York; and many people have said that the regional Tony was created for a theater like Arena Stage."

Per a strong company mission focused on the study of theatre, Arena Stage benefits the community and culture of American theater through a vibrant outreach program. "With our community engagement program and we reach about 25k young people every year." Smith describes the company relationship with Georgetown University as having a unique influence on the interpretation of American theater. "Georgetown has really been integral to our thinking as far as the study of American theater. They are now at the point where they are thinking about an MFA in new play development for producers." This is an exciting opportunity for both the university and the company as it will draw additional theater talent to D.C.

Arena Stage is actively working to build up awareness and appreciation for American Theatre here in the United States and abroad. Smith comments that "for so many years what has happened, probably for most of my career, the majority of people look over their shoulders to what is being done in England as opposed to what is being done in our own backyard."

"I think it's time to celebrate the tremendous complexity of work that is being done in America… our own American artists are great and I think they are looking at and trying to solve and talk about the ongoing problems we have and challenges [we face] in America."

While Arena Stage is primarily "focused on the work on stage," it has managed to introduce several productions that have found success nationally. "If something wonderful happens with it like with 33 Variations which we premiered here at Arena Stage or whether it is Next to Normal then that's fantastic."

Arena Stage is unique because "in a sense we are local and national at the same time. We bring in visiting companies from around the country … we send out artists that have started arena." This exchange of artists and productions provides a forum in which gems of American theater may be experienced nationally.

Arena Stage's 2010/11 season boast of both classics and new inventions. Next time you are in Washington D.C., be sure to check out productions of Oklahoma!, Let Me Down Easy, The Arabian Nights and much more. For more information visit Arena Stage.