About Village Originals |
Village Theatre is highly respected on a national level for its significant contribution to the world of musical theatre through its Village Originals program. Only a handful of theatre companies throughout the country commission and develop new musicals. |
Village Theatre Supports the Development of New Musicals |
Village Originals is an extensive year-round program, dedicated to every aspect of new musical development: workshops, readings, seminars, and full productions presented on the main stage.
Mainstage productions of new shows like Once Upon a Time in New Jersey, Girl of My Dreams, Play It By Heart, Making Tracks, and The Ark means an exciting new show each season!
Readings: Have your heard about the Annual Festival of New Musicals? 2007 was the seventh year of this exciting event! Readings are the first presentation of a new musical — the actors don't memorize their lines, they have a very short rehearsal period, minimal staging and music, and no set, costumes, or lights. More than anything, staged readings are a first look at a musical from top to bottom, accompanied by acting and singing.
Workshops: The next step up from a reading. They are fully-staged, the musical numbers are off-book, the actors have a few weeks of rehearsal. There are no costumes, set or props, and minimal lights and music. These are for shows that are ready to move beyond readings but aren't necessarily ready for production, and especially for shows that need full movement to see how well they're telling their story.
Developmental productions: Terezin (Spring 2007), Fairystories (Fall 2006), and Snapshots (Fall, 2005) are examples of a developmental productions. These shows have a full rehearsal period, essential production values, and a small band/orchestra. Developmental productions are for shows that are ready for and need a full production, audience, and run in order to get extensive feedback from Village Original's Members and others so they can develop into a "finished" musical!
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Why should you become a Member of Village Originals? |
If you want to experience more than just the final production of a show, a Village Originals Membership is for you!
See it first! Join Village Originals and you'll enjoy a dozen new musicals every year. Be the first to enjoy these new shows before they make their way to the Mainstage.
Help new musicals grow! You're the "Beta tester" for every new musical we work on. So not only will you be entertained by every musical, you'll be a critical component in helping the creators finish their work. You'll tell them your favorite songs, characters, and scenes, offer feedback on what works and what doesn't, and maybe even see your ideas come to life. "Research and development" has never been this much fun — fascinating and funny, melodic and moving, and endlessly surprising.
Get the "Behind the Scenes" treatment! Members at higher levels receive invitations to Readings, as well as special events, parties, and seminars with authors, actors, and musical theatre luminaries.
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Praise for the Nationally Recognized Village Originals Program: |
"In my professional opinion, the work of Village Theatre and their commitment to the development of new musicals is unique and exceptional."
–Gary McAvay, President of New York Columbia Artists Theatricals
"Village Theatre offers a vital contribution to American musical theatre. It has established itself as an essential part of the national fabric."
–Michael P. Price, Executive Producer of Goodspeed Musicals in Connecticut
"In a very short time, Brian Yorkey [former Village Theatre Associate Artistic Director] and his colleagues have parlayed Village Theatre into a significant voice in the development of musical theatre."
–David Spencer, author The Fabulist, Fifth Annual Festival of New Musicals
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Read Coverage of Village Originals on Playbill Online |
May 26, 2005 — Robert Preston's Life Explored in New Musical, Ya Got Trouble! – Pacific Northwest, May 26–June 12, 2005
March 17, 2005 — Play It By Heart Musical Makes World Premiere March 17
December 10, 2004 — Merry Men Reach Middle Age in Meehan and Charnin's Robin Hood Musical, Premiering in Seattle December 10–23, 2004 – Playbill Online
September 29, 2004 — Robin Hood, the New Musical by Martin Charnin, Thomas Meehan, and Peter Sipos, Premieres in Seattle Area December 10 – Playbill Online
March 24, 2004 — It Takes a Village: Will Robin Hood, the Musical, Premiere in Pacific Northwest? – Playbill Online
March 24, 2005 — Queen of Country S-T-R-U-G-G-L-E-S in New Musical, Play It by Heart, Slated for Pacific Northwest in 2005 – Playbill Online
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Village Theatre's Staff Is Dedicated to New Musicals: |
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STEVE TOMKINS, Artistic Director, began a professional arts career in Seattle in 1972, as a member of The Empty Space's acting company. As a director and choreographer, Steve's regional work has been seen at The Arkansas Repertory Theatre, The Arizona Theatre Company, Seattle Rep, ACT, and TAG. For seven years, Steve staged and choreographed production shows with Greg Thompson Productions. He has directed and choreographed numerous productions at Village Theatre including: Grease, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Joseph..., The Ark, Annie, West Side Story, Peter Pan, La Cage Aux Folles, Oklahoma!, Damn Yankees, How to Succeed..., South Pacific, Play It By Heart, The Music Man, CATS, Hello, Dolly!, and EVITA.
ROBB HUNT, (Executive Producer) has been the producer of Village Theatre since 1979. He is dedicated to commissioning and developing new musicals and has been the driving force in the inclusion of new musicals in Village Theatre's seasons. He is active with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre and has served on its Board of Directors. Robb has produced and collaborated on the development of over 60 new musicals. Of those new musicals, he has produced staged readings of Eleanor, Book of James, Jungle Queen Debutante, Making Tracks, and Glimmerglass, and others at the Alliance Festival of New Musicals in New York.
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Submitting your script to Village Originals |
For information on script submission, click here. |
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