Theatre Artists Workshop is designed as a place for theatre artists to take risks. It is a theatrical lab, where theatre professionals hone their skills, stretch creative muscles, experiment, develop new plays, work with and get feedback from fellow actors, writers and directors away from the harsh glare of the public spotlight.
Our Mission is to advance and promote excellence in the theatrical profession through private workshop performance and peer evaluation: to provide structured opportunity for individual artistic experimentation in the theater arts, including acting, directing, and writing; to stimulate the development of unique theatrical material that may warrant future production; and in general to act as a creative influence in the community.
Since 2022, we have been offering in-person meetings split between Westport and Bridgeport locations: Westport Country Playhouse Sheffer rehearsal studio, and Housatonic Community College Black Box Theatre.
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HISTORY
On Valentine’s Day, 1983, the first meeting of the Theatre Artists Workshop of Westport, Inc. was held. Founded by Keir Dullea and his wife, the late Susie Fuller, and based on the Los Angeles “Theatre East” workshop they had loved, TAW is designed as a safe place for artists to take risks. It is a theatrical gymnasium, where theatre professionals hone their craft, stretch creative muscles, experiment, develop new plays, work with and get feedback from fellow actors, writers and directors away from the harsh glare of the public spotlight.
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For 41 years, the Workshop has served its membership and audiences with that original vision still intact. Plays have been developed that have gone on to Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regional and even International production. Workshop performance and constructive critique have improved members’ skills, and led to new opportunities. Audiences attend readings of classic and original plays, scenes and stories at the workshop theatre, local libraries and cultural institutions.
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Membership over the years has included names such as Lucille Lortel, Anne Baxter, Theodore Bikel, Phoebe Brand, Morton DaCosta, Sandy Dennis, Mia Dillon, Keir Dullea, Christopher Durang, Kevin Gray, Shirley Knight, Ring Lardner, Jr., James Noble, Jane Powell, Lee Richardson, Laura San Giacomo, and Brett Somers.
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After several moves since 1983, the Workshop created a theatrical home in the Masonic Lodge at 5 Gregory Blvd., East Norwalk 06855. Yet the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic had other plans. After 25 years in our Norwalk space, the Workshop had to transition to a fully virtual community, and though not without pains, Workshop members used their ingenuity to keep us thriving online. In 2022, we found our way back to the stage and have since found new home bases both at Westport Country Playhouse and Housatonic Community College.
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Membership in the Workshop is open to professional actors, writers and directors. Admission is by audition, script submission or by a substantial body of recognized professional work.
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Theatre Artists Workshop was founded in Westport, CT in 1983 by Susie Fuller, Keir Dullea, Haila Stoddard, Burry Fredrik, Jerome Kilty, Whitfield Connor, Sidney Michaels, Patricia Englund, Chilton Ryan, James Mapes, Anne Clay, Louisette Michaels, and E. Katherine Kerr.
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Honorary Members include Lucille Lortel, Elliot Martin, Lester Osterman, and Max Wilk.
CONTACT
Snail Mail may be sent to:
Theatre Artists Workshop
P.O. Box 253
Westport, Connecticut
06880
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Tel: (203) 854-6830
For general inquiries, email:
theatreartistsworkshop@gmail.com
To reach the board of directors, email: tawboardofdirectors@gmail.com
Theatre Artists Workshop is a 501 (c) 3, not-for-profit organization.
Support has been provided to Theatre Artists Workshop from CT Humanities, with funding provided by the Connecticut State Department of Economic and Community Development/Connecticut Office of the Arts from the Connecticut State Legislature.
