Working in the Theatre Extended Interviews: Molly Smith (Artistic Director at Arena Stage)

Summary

Molly Smith, the artistic director at Arena Stage, reflects on the theater's pioneering role in the American resident theater movement. She highlights Arena Stage’s historical achievements, such as being the first to integrate racially and take productions behind the Iron Curtain. Smith discusses the power of theater as a deeply human and emotional art form, emphasizing its ability to foster connection and provoke thought. She also touches on the importance of supporting playwrights, creating innovative programming, and responding to the political and social climate in Washington, D.C., to engage with a sophisticated audience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Arena Stage is renowned for its significant role in the American theater movement, helping establish the Resident Theater movement in the U.S.
• 😀 The Resident Theater movement, initiated by Zelda Fichandler and others, aimed to bring brilliant theater to local communities, not just New York City.
• 😀 Arena Stage has a strong history of firsts, such as being the first theater to take a play behind the Iron Curtain and the first to receive the regional Tony Award.
• 😀 Arena Stage also pioneered Monday night readings and was the first theater to be racially integrated in Washington, D.C.
• 😀 Molly Smith sees Arena Stage as the 'mothership' of American theater, having a profound impact on artists and audiences across the country.
• 😀 Theater is seen as a medium for human connection, where the audience experiences emotional and intellectual engagement with the actors' performance.
• 😀 Molly Smith believes that most plays need workshops, and that writing should be 'baked in the oven,' not rushed.
• 😀 Arena Stage focuses on producing American works, particularly modern plays that explore current social and political themes.
• 😀 Arena Stage’s programming is driven by a team that includes a director, literary manager, and casting director, collaborating to choose projects that reflect the zeitgeist of the moment.
• 😀 The theater aims to stimulate thought and discussion, using plays as a platform for opening up ideas and influencing the audience's thinking on various topics.
• 😀 Arena Stage nurtures playwrights through a resident writers program, offering full-time salaries, health benefits, and money for workshops to ensure the continued growth of the American theater scene.

Q & A

What is Arena Stage's significance in the American theater landscape?

Arena Stage is a pioneering theater company that played a key role in the Resident Theater movement, advocating for the production of exceptional theater outside of New York. It has been influential in shaping regional theater across the United States.

What are some of Arena Stage's historical 'firsts'?

Arena Stage was the first theater to take a play behind the Iron Curtain, the first to have Monday night readings, the first to be racially integrated in Washington, D.C., the first to send a production to Broadway (Great White Hope), and the first to receive the Regional Tony Award.

What role does Arena Stage play in nurturing new voices in theater?

Arena Stage is committed to producing new works, with a third to half of its productions being new or premieres. It also runs a resident writers program that supports playwrights with full-time salaries, benefits, and resources to develop their works.

Why does Molly Smith emphasize the importance of workshops for new plays?

Molly Smith believes that most plays need a workshop to be heard and refined before they go into full rehearsal. This process allows playwrights to hear their work performed, receive feedback, and make adjustments, which she sees as essential for a successful production.

What is the relationship between the actor and the audience in theater, according to Molly Smith?

Molly Smith views theater as a dynamic interaction between the actor and the audience. The actor represents the audience on stage, and the performance creates a unique, real-time experience that is different every night due to the chemistry between the two.

How does Molly Smith describe the emotional power of theater?

Smith describes theater as a powerful emotional experience, where characters with their backs against the wall fight to overcome challenges. This creates an opportunity for the audience to emotionally connect with the characters and be part of the unfolding drama.

What does Molly Smith mean by 'theater is created between the actor and the audience'?

Smith believes that the true creation of theater happens in the space between the actor and the audience. It's a chemical, interactive process where both contribute to the performance, making each show unique.

Why is Arena Stage particularly focused on American work?

Arena Stage primarily focuses on modern American theater, with the majority of its productions coming from the American canon. This focus reflects the theater's commitment to exploring and showcasing American voices, and its role in contributing to the development of contemporary theater.

What role does Arena Stage play in the cultural and political life of Washington D.C.?

Arena Stage plays an important role in Washington D.C. by producing works that engage with political and social issues. The theater's highly educated and politically astute audience is drawn to productions with complex, nuanced themes that resonate with the city's intellectual environment.

What is Molly Smith's vision for the future of theater?

Molly Smith envisions a future where theater continues to explore and challenge societal issues, fostering deeper human connections. She believes that theater should spark important conversations and provide a platform for new ideas, influencing both the hearts and minds of its audience.