History of the Exchange
The History of the Exchange
aka the Association of the Development of
Dramatic Arts
Founded in 1972 by Eve Adamson, a pioneer of the Off-Broadway movement, the Association of the Development of Dramatic Arts (the company's incorporated name from inception to the present) has been recognized as a vital force in New York cultural life, cited by The New York Times as “an integral part of the New York cultural scene,” and hailed by Theater Week as “one of New York’s oldest and best respected Off-Broadway companies.”
From Sophocles and Shakespeare to Brecht and Beckett, the company has always produced its work in an intimate setting, where the audience may be completely immersed in the imaginations of celebrated authors and contemporary playwrights. Landmark productions include: the world premiere of Tennessee Williams’ Something Cloudy, Something Clear and the first major revival of his Small Craft Warnings, the Western Hemisphere premiere of Russian playwright Edvard Radzinksy’s An Old Actress in the Role of Dostoëvsky’s Wife, the American premiere of Seamus Heaney’s Pulitzer Prize-winning adaptation of Sophocles’ “Philoctetes,” The Cure at Troy.
In Spring 2007, the Board of the Association took a bold step forward by renaming the company and expanding its mission to create classics of the future. Though the Board stayed the same, this new company, The Exchange, provided a more nimble structure. Producing popular voices - old, new and from both inside and outside the theatrical fold - the new company has produced many premieres since. In June 2007, it also launched the groundbreaking Orchard Project in partnership with the Catskill Mountain Foundation, developing work by innovative companies such as Tectonic Theatre Project, The Royal Court, Pig Iron, Rude Mechanicals, the Civilians, Elevator Repair Service and many others.
In both productions and development programs, The Exchange features the work of emerging writers, directors, actors, and designers, providing them the opportunity to work with veteran artists. The company’s contemporary focus encourages younger, newer audience members to attend theater on a regular basis, without compromising its appeal to dedicated, long-time theatergoers.
From Sophocles and Shakespeare to Brecht and Beckett, the company has always produced its work in an intimate setting, where the audience may be completely immersed in the imaginations of celebrated authors and contemporary playwrights. Landmark productions include: the world premiere of Tennessee Williams’ Something Cloudy, Something Clear and the first major revival of his Small Craft Warnings, the Western Hemisphere premiere of Russian playwright Edvard Radzinksy’s An Old Actress in the Role of Dostoëvsky’s Wife, the American premiere of Seamus Heaney’s Pulitzer Prize-winning adaptation of Sophocles’ “Philoctetes,” The Cure at Troy.
In Spring 2007, the Board of the Association took a bold step forward by renaming the company and expanding its mission to create classics of the future. Though the Board stayed the same, this new company, The Exchange, provided a more nimble structure. Producing popular voices - old, new and from both inside and outside the theatrical fold - the new company has produced many premieres since. In June 2007, it also launched the groundbreaking Orchard Project in partnership with the Catskill Mountain Foundation, developing work by innovative companies such as Tectonic Theatre Project, The Royal Court, Pig Iron, Rude Mechanicals, the Civilians, Elevator Repair Service and many others.
In both productions and development programs, The Exchange features the work of emerging writers, directors, actors, and designers, providing them the opportunity to work with veteran artists. The company’s contemporary focus encourages younger, newer audience members to attend theater on a regular basis, without compromising its appeal to dedicated, long-time theatergoers.
