Saturday, February 7, 2009

Book-It Repertory Theatre


There is a theater company that is entirely devoted to doing adaptations of short stories and novels? Color me intrigued.
Book-It Repertory Theatre is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming great literature into great theatre through simple and sensitive production and to inspiring its audiences to read.
I don't want to get into the habit of cutting and pasting my blog entries, but I have no first hand knowledge of this Seattle based company. I’ve not seen any of their productions and I have not read any of their adaptations. Besides, the Book-It website puts it more eloquently than I can.

Regarding Book-It Repertory's History:
Book-It Repertory Theatre was founded by a group of theatre artists who love to read and are passionate about literacy. Recognizing the immense wealth of story, character and language that exists in classic and contemporary literature, these artists wanted to create opportunities for audiences and fellow artists to experience theatre through imaginative stagings of written narrative. By creating theatre exclusively from literature, Book-It strives to inspire the love of reading through a live, communal experience. From its early beginnings as a collective of artists experimenting in a workshop setting, to its current day as one of Seattle's most thriving, unique theatres with over 1,600 subscribers, Book-It's main purpose has always been to bring literature to life on stage, and inspire people to read.

Book-It believes that great books make great theatre. Witnessing compelling theatrical adaptations of our diverse culture's most significant stories gives individuals the tools to engage imaginatively, creatively and empathetically with the world around them, thereby laying the foundation for a healthy, happy and compassionate community.
There is an excellent article from Seattle Woman Magazine written by Ellen Hastings titled Book-It Repertory Theatre: A Tale of Two Women. Hastings spoke with Co-Artistic Directors Jane Jones and Myra Platt back in 2007. The three spoke about the history of the company and the evolution of Book-It's signature style.

When they mention having a signature style, I wonder what that means. I hope to get the chance to find out more. Stay tuned!