New Century Theatre Company Programs
NCTC currently has three types of projects which we offer to the community.
We have, to date, mounted one full production per year: The Adding Machine (2008), Orange Flower Water (2009), On the Nature of Dust (2010) and O Lovely Glowworm (2011). In 2013, we will produce two full productions: The Trial (April) and Walworth Farce (October).
Our smaller projects in 2012, Holy Days and Foreclosure, were an exploration of a project between a reading and full production. They were consciously spare productions with a two week rehearsal process and minimal production budget. This alternative producing style has birthed a new concept and programming idea which we are referring to as In the Works. It will be focused on new scripts by local writers helping foster great new work right here in our own community.
We also present an ongoing monthly reading series called Pipeline which seeks to foster a community of artists and audience as we continue to develop the aesthetic of our theatre company. These readings are casual in nature and hosted at Solo Bar, where audiences may partake in a beverage and take in the experience in a way that is different than a typical theatre-going experience.
We conduct "talk backs" at each performance or reading that we do, as we place high value on the audience's experience with the piece. This conversation is vital to our company and we seek to incorporate this dialogue between artist and audience throughout all that we do.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
While we are certainly proud of our shows and the fact that we have finished each of our productions in the black, we are most proud of the support that we have garnered from the community. NCTC has been highly regarded and supported since its inception in 2008, establishing it as an important new player in the Seattle theatre community. We are well aware that NCTC’s success is a result of the tremendous community support we have received. We have been buoyed by individuals and businesses, including ACT Theatre, where our first three productions were housed to date. Shunpike, who served as our fiscal sponsor for five years, offered us critical administrative support, tools and guidance.
However, our greatest challenge continues to be in funding the company and its work. When we started, we offered (minimal) compensation to artists, and all administrative work for the company was done on a volunteer basis. This was certainly cost-efficient, but was difficult to maintain long-term; this model is ultimately unsustainable and ineffective. As such, we have sought to increase the compensation offered to artists and have instituted a small stipend for the Artistic and Managing Director as a token towards compensating them for the many hours that they invest in the company day in and day out. We also succeeded in creating a cash reserve which will help us fund the operation moving forward.
As we look to the future, we will continue to invest in capacity-building and creating an organizational structure that will ensure a strong foundation for the company. This will allow us to increase our artistic output, and ensure a long and healthy future.