Orchard Project 2008

Returning companies include NY's Tectonic Theatre Project (The Laramie Project, 33 Variations), London's The Royal Court (Rock and Roll) and Philadelphia's Pig Iron (Hell Meets Henry Halfway, Love Unpunished). They will be joined by other innovative companies like Elevator Repair Service (The Sound and the Fury), The Team (Particularly in the Heartland), Waterwell (The Persians) and Epic Theatre Ensemble (No Child) in overlapping artistic residencies that allow each company to take control of its own development. Writers in residence include Mike Daisey (How Theatre Failed America), Cynthia Hopkins (Accidental Nostalgia), Heather MacDonald (Pink, Expats), Lydia Diamond (Stick Fly, Bluest Eye) and Laura Schellhardt (The K of D). Directors involved in working with these writers include Meredith McDonough (The Scariest), Annie Kaufman (The Thugs) and Ari Edelson (The Attic, Vengeance). Lastly, The Orchard Project will also be furthering its relationship with the National Arts Club with residencies for three of this year's four Kesselring Fellows - Jordan Harrison, Marcus Gardley and Rinne Groff.

This is the Orchard Project's most ambitious year yet, and out of many who applied, we are excited that the companies and artists we host are at the cutting edge of the theatre makers working today, a true cross section of those working on Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional and experimental stages. We support more projects at differing stages than any other comparable retreat, and the Orchard Project uniquely puts its faith in its artists to create without script or project applications. It is this faith that attracts leaders in the industry as they create the boldest new work organically.
Companies and artists at the Orchard Project are supported through overlapping residencies during which time they are provided with free rehearsal space, room and board. Throughout the residencies, open rehearsals invite residents of Hunter and surrounding towns to play an active role in development of new works. Participants range from Tony® award winners to emerging “on-the-cusp” companies.

2008 also marks the beginning of the Core Company at the Orchard Project, a nationally sourced apprentice program where young artists both train and create new work alongside resident artists and companies. This year, the Orchard Project will also open its doors to the public in a number of open rehearsals and evening performances of works in progress. For more information check out the website at www.orchardproject.com. These showings take place on Saturdays and Sundays, and easy access is available from New York City and nearby areas to see what these daring artists will be bringing to stages around the world over the course of the next year.