Short Center Repertory
April 2007
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The Short Center Repertory is unique among Sacramento theatre companies in featuring adult actors with developmental disabilities in full length plays. Since 1978 they have been touring to Theatre Festivals, colleges and regional theatre venues, building up a national reputation. Artistic Director, James C. Anderson says, “Actors with developmental disabilities present a world-view rarely seen in the mainstream theatre. Since the body is the actor’s tool and their voice and emotional range the palette on which they play, actors with developmental disabilities take us into their world with an authenticity that cannot be simulated and with an immediacy that we can’t resist.”
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Expanding their mission beyond developmental disabilities, The Short Center Repertory’s recent productions have featured American Sign Language versions with the ASL interpreters fully-integrated into the stage action. The upcoming productions will feature collaborations with actors from Sacramento’s Deaf community and from The Sacramento Society for the Blind. Anderson says, “All in all this is a unique aesthetic. We hope the curious and the lovers of theatre will all come see for themselves.”
May 11 through May 27, the company will present their own take on four comedies by David Ives at The Wilkerson Theater, 25th and R Streets.
August 10 through August 26, they will present an original adaptation of the legend “Gilgamesh”, by nationally known playwright, Rick Foster, commissioned by the National Endowment for the Arts at California Stage’s California Stag*e.
Reviews of past productions include:
“An intensity of concentration plus a natural-looking mime skill, shine. There is an immediacy and freshness to these performances: one person’s motor clumsiness may add poignancy. Another’s particular vocal quality brings a devilish humor” (An Evening of Beckett and Brecht)
“ The wide range of skills, the use of wheelchair bound actors, the ambience: these elements combined to bring out the truth of this story of democratic good will towards one’s fellows that would have made Dickens himself love this particular production.” (A Christmas Carol)
“Figley’s skill at portraying the emotional and physical tension of the aphasic character as he sees the pathway from inside the mind to the multi-vocal world moved me deeply” (Struck Dumb!)
“This show was quintessential Beckett. I have never seen Beckett performed with such fineness of soul. This show is what theatre is about!” (Endgame)
“Totally believable. Totally enthralling!” (The Miracle Worker)
“Compelling! Powerful! The use of sign language was mesmerizing.” (Walls)
“Absolutely charming and delightful.” (Sure Thing) |
