ATTIC SALT

Theatre Company

MISSION STATEMENT

Attic Salt Theatre Company, Inc. is a non-profit theatre corporation dedicated to presenting theatrical performance which elevates performance standards by eliminating existing boundaries, redefining the roles of both the performer and the audience, examining perceptions of truth, challenging these perceptions, and exercising the courage to present these ideas to the public.

We feel that, to produce quality theater, managerial professionalism is as important as artistic merit.  Professionally we value an organized, welcoming atmosphere, care for the ensemble, honesty, and a strong production team.  Artistically, good writing, a respect for the audience, directors with strong vision and the ability to communicate that vision, and artistically driven projects are key.

Therefore, it is important to us to remain honest throughout our relationship with all artists we employ.  We encourage them to “bring things to the table” in each production.  As producers we have our own visions, but by remaining open to the suggestions of other artists, we hope to create shows that are more fun for them to be a part of, form a lasting relationship, and give them the same sense of accomplishment that we hope to have.  

It is important to us that we do not take our personal experience for granted.  We must remember to prize the things we have learned as individuals that help and inform the direction of the company and the shows we produce.  Be it a penchant for accounting, or a love of puppetry, there are elements of all knowledge that can serve the company and this mission if we allow them to.

It is important to us that we produce theater for its own sake.  It’s easy to see certain types of art as “lesser” art because it is marketed to a specific niche, or created from a specific discipline.  We like to think that Shakespeare is not separate from children’s theater is not separate from musical theater.  Et cetera.  We do not make excuses for improv because it is made up on the spot, nor do we qualify children’s theater because it is for children.

It is important to us that we recognize theater’s purpose in society.  In this new century and millennium, we are on the verge of an evolutionary shift in the theater.  New media is being invented, seemingly, every day, and is constantly contradicted by reminiscence for the “old ways.”  It is finally time to understand what is old, embrace what is new, and make theater something we can claim and love.

It is important to us to convey ideas in a way that is honest, efficient and interesting.  The greatest debt we can ever owe to our audience is that of keeping them entertained and even enthralled with our productions.  That means that even if we mount a play with the idea being the agenda, we will never allow the idea to be presented in a way that doesn’t allow the audience to be a part of that idea.

It is important to us that we create new theatergoers.  Whether people have never had access to theater or they have simply thought at one time that theater was boring or stupid, we aim to create theater that is enlightening enough to have them seeking out similar experiences and feelings throughout the rest of their lives.  By deconstructing the elements of theater and eliminating the mystery and spectacle for spectacle’s sake, we hope to continue to find that people are compelled to explore theater on their own. 

It is important to us that we educate experienced theatergoers.  With each production we hope to introduce to those who are used to spectacle over substance, to embrace that which is unusual, experimental, or out of their realm of their current experience. 

It is important to us that we educate the current theater community.  We aim to teach the vast community of artists in New York City and everywhere else the possibilities of finding new ways of telling a story, and then having the courage tell them.  With this in mind for our own productions, we hope to remove all pretense from the theater going experience, and invite the audience and community to be an active participant.

With all of this in mind, activities of Attic Salt Theatre Company will include, but are not limited to, the following:

·     Performance of full-length, Equity plays including new works by new authors, new productions of contemporary plays, improvised theater and classical theater.

·     Performance of educational programs for children for production in schools and other venues accessible to children who may not otherwise get arts programming.

·     Performance of chamber readings, one-act plays, and other short-form pieces of various genres.

·     Creation of a workshop environment in which novice playwrights, directors, actors, etc. may explore their creativity and hone their skills.

Attic Salt Theatre Company hopes that by consistently striving for excellence they will inspire the public to strive for excellence within themselves and their environments as well.