InterAct Theatre Company

InterAct Theatre is located in Philadelphia, PA. A founding member of the National New Play Network, it is committed to producing socially and politically relevant new work. Since its founding in 1988, InterAct has become known for its thought-provoking fare and presentation of new voices.

Mission

"InterAct is a theatre for today’s world, producing new and contemporary plays that explore the social, political, and cultural issues of our time." [http://www.interacttheatre.org/interact-mission.html InterAct Mission]

The company pursues these goals in the Philadelphia community through its shows as well as a series of outreach programs, seeking to positively influence students and audiences alike. They support new voices in the theatre with positions designed to support new playwrights.

History

InterAct Theatre was begun in 1988 by four graduates of the University of Pennsylvania. Artistic Director Seth Rozin, along with Brad Rosenstein, Erica Schwartz and David Goldstein, founded the theatre after working together on an Irish theatre company's visit to the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. They wanted to promote cultural exchange between Ireland and America with a series of touring productions. After the tour around Ireland, they returned to Philadelphia and established InterAct. The theatre's mission was honed over the next few years, switching the focus to contemporary plays with social resonance.

In 1997, InterAct gained its own premises at 2030 Sansom Street, Center City Philadelphia, where it is still located today. "The Adrienne," the former home of The Wilma Theater, has been the home of many renowned productions. The 2007/2008 season marked InterAct's 20th Anniversary. The company has produced 60 main stage productions, including 23 world premieres, 2 U.S. premieres and over 30 Philadelphia premieres, in all providing employment for more than 500 local artists. [http://www.interacttheatre.org/organization-history.html Organization History] They have commissioned new plays from world-famous playwrights such as Wole Soyinka and Lee Blessing.

Awards

*2007 Barrymore Awards, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play: Charlotte Northeast, "Skin in Flames"
*2006 Barrymore Awards, Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service Award: InterAction Program
*2004 Barrymore Awards, Best New Play: "Permanent Collection" by Thomas Gibbons, Directed by Seth Rozin
*2003 Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Weekly, Best Lead Actress: Claudia Robinson, "Going to St. Ives"
*2003 Philadelphia Weekly, Outstanding New Play: "Cry Havoc" by Tom Coash, Directed by Seth Rozin
*2002 Philadelphia Weekly, Best Lead Actor: Tom McCarthy, "God's Man in Texas"
*2001 Barrymore Awards, Best Lead Actor: Scott Greer, "It's All True"
*2001 Barrymore Awards, Best Supporting Actor: Dave Bardeen, "It's All True"
*2000 Philadelphia Inquirer, Top 10 Production: "Drink Me" by Mary Fengar Gail, Directed by Whit MacLaughlin
*2000 Barrymore Awards, Excellence in Education and Communiy Service: InterAction Program
*1999 Barrymore Awards, Best Production: "Lebensraum" by Israel Horovitz, Directed by Seth Rozin
*1999 Barrymore Awards, Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Weekly, and Chestnut Hill Local, Best Director: Seth Rozin, "Lebensraum"
*1999 Barrymore Awards, Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Weekly, and Chestnut Hill Local, Best Ensemble: Scott Greer, Harry Philibosian, Catharine K. Slusar, "Lebensraum"
*1999 Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Weekly, and Chestnut Hill Local, Top 10 Production: "Lebensraum" by Israel Horovitz, Directed by Seth Rozin
*1999 Chestnut Hill Local, Theatre Company of the Year
*1999 Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, Human Rights Award for Arts and Culture
*1998 Arts and Business Council of Philadelphia, Business / Arts Partnership Award
*1997 Philadelphia Inquirer, Top 10 Production: "Three in the Back, Two in the Head" by Jason Sherman, Directed by Tim Moyer
*1997 Barrymore Awards, First Union Award for Outstanding Community Service: InterAction Program
*1997 Barrymore Awards, Best New Play: "Black Russian" by Tom Gibbons, Directed by Seth Rozin
*1996 Philadelphia Inquirer, Top 10 Production: "Lonely Planet" by Steven Dietz, Directed by Seth Rozin
*1996 Philadelphia City Paper, Best Ensemble: Frank X, David Warner, "Lonely Planet"
*1996 Barrymore Awards, Best Lead Actor: Frank X, "Lonely Planet"
*1996 Philadelphia Weekly, Best Politically Motivated Theatre
*1993 Philadelphia Inquirer, Top 10 Production: "6221" by Tom Gibbons, Directed by Seth Rozin
*1993 Philadelphia Inquirer, Best Director: Seth Rozin, "6221"

References

[http://www.interacttheatre.org InterAct Theatre Company]

[http://www.theatrealliance.org/barrymores/ Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theater]

[http://www.philly.com/dailynews/features/15758992.html Philadelphia Inquirer]