the book-it centera permanent home for theatre and literacy

draft 10.13.11

A Tale of Two Cities, photo by John Ulman

book-it repertory theatre

Book-It Repertory Theatre began as an artists’ collective in 1987. Founded on the principles of simplicity, original work, and experimentation, Book-It seeks to preserve the complex narrative of literature by sharing it between characters who shift seamlessly in and out of their character’s words and the narrator’s prose.

Through the now trademarked Book-It Style, audiences, workshop participants, teachers, and students are invited to relish in the descriptive language of the story–to listen to it actively and to participate imaginatively in its words.

It’s an artistic antidote to our world of truncated sound bites, clipped dialogue and text messaging; one that creates a powerful communal experience of both literature and theatre that is accessible to all.

From its origins as a dedicated group of artists interested in exploring the immense wealth of story, language and character that exists in contemporary and classic literature, the company has matured into an innovative professional performing arts and educational organization that reaches over 70,000 people each year.

This program lays out a vision for Book-It’s continued development as we pursue our mission to transform great literature into great theatre through simple and sensitive production and to inspire our audiences to read.

Traditionally, the theatre can be described by two main participants, the artist and the audience.

In this model, theatre organizations create programming that either seeks to develop the artist through education of the student or professional actor or to engage their audience through theatrical productions. In these relationships, performance is primary. It is the artist who seeks to move the audience through the theatrical experience.

The audience is mostly passive.

the old model

a new theatre (theatre as a social center)

Our ambition is to redefine the theatre as an institution no longer dedicated primarily to performance, but as a social center with multiple responsibilities.

In this new model, the theatre deliberately takes on a greater responsibility for the social obligation of a literate public. Instead of focusing soly on the performance, the theatre will seek to engage the public broadly, tranforming passive audiences into active participants in learning and interpretation.

This new theatre will provide new models to explore literary works, to become critical thinkers, and to engage with traditional and contemporary understandings of literature.

what if ....

The public is engaged in the exchange of ideas on a daily basis?

Performances can be liberated from the confines of a singular, defined theatre space?

The theatre can become gathering place for community partnerships?

Artistic excellence, innovation, and an intimate experience thrive?

Patrons become artists?

Theatre can be used to enhance literacy?

?

Literacy has traditionally been described as the ability to read and write.

In today’s world, however, it is imparative to create a broader understanding of literacy.

We believe literacy is the “ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate, compute and use printed and written materials associated with varying contexts. Literacy involves a continuum of learning in enabling individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in their community and wider society.”

Book-It’s unique combination of literature, theatre, and education stands poised to provide revolutionary programming that gets at the whole power of story.

theatre

meld mold unite interpret intersect shared experience teach

educationliterature

The River Why, photo by John Ulman theatre as social center

Like the library or the public market, the theatre maintains a public and social position within the broad community. It is a place of collective experience that attracts and inspires. It is this aura and exchange of energy that we seek to harness in the expansion of our social responsibilities.

The Book-It Center will encourage interactive relationships with literature through theatrical productions and learning programs that promote the joy of reading, embrace diversity, enhance learning, and inspire the imagination.

Through these shared experiences between the public, artists, and educators the collision of literature and performance will spur new ideas and new opportunites for social change.

discourseresources experimentation

learning teaching

exchange of ideas impromptu performance workshops

readings residencies meetings

performances classes rehearsals auditionsevents public sphere gathering place

theatres of conversation and exchange

performances classes rehearsals auditionsevents public sphere gathering place

theatres of conversation and exchange

site wantedVisiblePublic SpaceRestaurantsDrink ParkingTransitPrinterGroceryCoffee

South Lake Union Capitol Hill Seattle CenterLower Queen AnneBelltown

Pioneer SquareWallingfordGeorgetownFreemont

proscenium thrust arena transverse flat in-the-round studio

experimentationSimple materials to encourage experimentation, not precious. Flexibility to allow for artistic freedomA variety of public spaces to create new opportunities to engage the public

intimate | imaginative | simple

Book-It’s success is its simple, imaginitive, and intimate productions.It is the spoken word; the rhythm and richness of the literature that are important.It is the intimate engagement between story teller and listener that must be main-tained.

Spaces designed for this.

collaboration on literary pursuits

Instead of the typical synergy between live theatre and entertainment and leisure, new relationships emerge between collaborators with a common mission. Missions founded in literacy and literary pursuits.

TrainingWorkshopsLiterature

living rooms and green rooms public sphere

The word theatre means “place for seeing”.

Within this original definition lies an expanded understanding of the place. Instead of limiting the work to a defined auditorium, the entire public sphere can each become a theatre, a place for seeing.

No longer is the work sheltered in a great hall. A multitude of theatres are open for an active encounter.

Living rooms create an active public sphere with spaces of intersection. The public will be invited to explore the living room, a space that intersects public activities with spaces for making, learning, and encountering both theatre and literature. The living room breaks down the separations between art, artist, and patron.

Green rooms create a cohesive company and organization. They center the artistic life of the theatre.

Both the Living Rooms and Green Rooms themselves are theatres; spaces of intersection, conversation, and exchange

peopleManaging DirectorAssistant MD Artistic DirectorArtistic DirectorAssistant to Artistic DirectorLiterary ManagerBookkeeperReceptionist/Office Manager Director of CommunicationsMarketing AssociateDirector of Institutional SupportDevelopment Assistant

Director of Tours and OutreachDirector of EducationEducation AssociateEducation Associate

Production Stage ManagerAssistant Production Stage Manager Production ManagerAssistant Production Manager Technical DirectorMaster CarpenterCostume and Props Manager

House ManagerBox Office ManagerBox Office AssistantBox Office AssistantBox Office AssistantEvent CoordinatorVolunteer CoordinatorCustodian

Company

Patrons

TeachersStudentsPatrons

AdaptorsDirectorsActorsMusicians

UshersConcessionsRetailVolunteers

spaces (38,000 square feet)

5000

community partner

living room

large performance

small performance

backstage

green room

technical

administration

400 500

25001300

seatsseating areaperformanceperformance supportcontrol room

100120015001500

100

550600

dressing, showers, restrooms, laundry

31001200

275400300200300

2600

15001200

500

intersection

300 360027002400

200

vestibulebar and kitchenlounge | library | living roomservices (box office, restrooms, coats)

rehearsalclassroomsmeeting

services (reception, lockers, showers, restrooms)living room, kitchen, bar, library

seatsseating areaperformanceperformance supportcontrol room

1350

27 staff

scene shop and storagecostume shop and storagelighting storagegeneral storagetours storageloadingmechanical | electrical

community partners

useage

organization

test drive

copyright 2010

workshop architecture|designbook-it repertory theatre

www.workshopad.comwww.book-it.org