Company One is an award winning non-profit theatre company in residence at the Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The company is known for providing race-centered and social awareness programming in Boston. Company One has produced and mounted over 50 plays.
Company One began with six people who began a theatre company called "Island Project" at Great Diamond Island, off the coast of Portland, Maine, the group turned to nature to fuel their expression. They went on to found Company One in the fall of 1998.
In 2005, the company created ARTiculation, a touring poetry-slam turned performance piece. It premiered at the Boston Center of the Arts and has been touring to colleges and high schools across the east coast.
In 2014 the company staged the world premiere of the play Splendor, by playwright Kirsten Greenidge, which received mixed reviews from critics.
In 2016 Company One's production of An Octaroon also received a mixed review from the Boston Globe. Also in 2016 the company received grants which allowed it to take on a playwright in residence; the first playwright brought in was Kirsten Greenidge. Later that year the company presented "The T Party", a play about gender transformation.
In 1999, Stage One began its summer camp at an independent site in the Boston area. Two years later the summer program was invited to be a resident at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, where the curriculum began to evolve in the more intensive training that it is today. In 2010, Stage One added an educational touring production to its roster of programs. The newest addition to the program is the Page to Stage Program, which brings middle and high school students into the company one theatre for special matinee performances. By 2012, the program had reached over 10,000 students.
The company presents a Professional Development for Actors, a class designed for adult actors perfecting their craft. It consists of eight weeks of study with Company One's instructors. The class culminates in a showcase.
Company One's summer production apprenticeship program is designed to create a pre professional company of artists. Participants train with Company One Educators and create and perform their own performance pieces, as well as mentorship by the company's professional production staff.
Company One also operates a nine-week theatre intensive designed to give the insight and hands-on experience one might need to work in the professional theatre. Apprentices participate in the creation and production of the professional play, performed by Company One's Junior Apprentice program for teens.
The Overwhelming, by J.T. Rogers, directed by Shawn LaCount. October 30-November 21, 2009, at the Boston Center for the Arts, Plaza Theatre.
The Good Negro, by Tracey Scott Wilson, directed by Summer L. Williams, January 15-February 6, 2010, at the Boston Center for the Arts, Plaza Theatre.
Christmas Belles, by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jaime Wooten, and directed by Greg Maraio. December 4–15, 2009, at the Boston Playwrights' Theatre.
Apple, by Vern Thiessen, co-produced by Phoenix Theatre Artists, directed by Greg Maraio. March 12-April 3, 2010, at the Boston Playwrights' Theatre. Introducing Canadian playwright, Vern Thiessen to Boston audiences.
The Emancipation of Mandy and Miz Ellie, by Lois Roach, directed by Victoria Marsh, featuring OrigiNation Dance Troupe. April 30-May 22, 2010, at the Boston Center for the Arts, Plaza Theatre. New work by local playwright, Lois Roach.
GRIMM, by Lydia R. Diamond, Marcus Gardley, Melinda Lopez, Kirsten Greenidge, John Kuntz, John ADEkoje and Gregory Maguire. Directed by Shawn LaCount and Summer L. Williams. June 16-August 14, 2010, at the Calderwood Pavilion, Roberts Theatre. A collection of short plays by Boston playwrights inspired by their favorite Grimm fairytales.
Neighbors, by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins directed by Summer L. Williams. January 14-February 5, 2011 at the Boston Center for the Arts, Plaza Theatre. Marks the major debut of playwright, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins who is a member of NYC's Public Theater's emerging writers group. Post show discussions facilitated by Interaction Institute for Social Change
The Aliens, by Annie Baker, directed by Shawn LaCount. October 22-November 20, 2010 at the Calderwood Pavilion, Hall A. Produced in conjunction with the Huntington Theatre Company and Speakeasy Stage Company
The Book of Grace, by Suzan-Lori Parks, directed by David Wheeler. April 15-May 7, 2011 at the Boston Center for the Arts, Plaza Theatre. New England Premier.
Fringe Wars
Learn to be Latina, by Enrique Urueta, directed by Greg Maraio. May 14-June 5, 2011 at the Boston Playwrights' Theatre.
The Mountain Song, by PigPen ensemble theatre. June 10–25, 2011 at the Calderwood Pavilion, Hall A. A representation of American Ensemble Theatre creating atmospheric theatrical fables blending live music, puppetry, shadow play, choreographed movement, and lighting effects. Received top honors at the 2012 NY Fringe Festival.
1001, by Jason Grote, directed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian. June 15-August 13, 2011 at the Boston Center for the Arts, Plaza Theatre. Reinvention of the Arabian Nights, bringing to life stories like Sinbad the Sailor and Aladdin and his Magic Lamp.
The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, a Boston premier by Kristoffer Diaz, and directed by Shawn LaCount. July 28-August 25, 2012 at the Calderwood Pavilion Roberts Center at the Boston Center for the Arts. 2011 Obie Award for Best New American Play, and Pulitzer Prize Finalist
The Brother/Sister Plays, by Tarell Alvin McCraney. October 28-December 3, 2011. A trilogy of plays (In the Red and Brown Water, The Brothers Size, Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet) presented in two parts. A modern-day story of kindship, love, heartache, and coming-of-age.
Green Eyes, a Company One Special Event, a Boston Premier by Tennessee Williams directed by Travis Chamberlain. Produced in collaboration with Chris Keegan and the Kindness. January 18-February 26, 2012 at the Ames Hotel, Court Street, Boston.
Love Person, by Aditi Brennan Kapil, directed by M. Bevin O'Gara. May 25-June 23, 2012. A four-part love story told in Sanskrit, American Sign Language, English and Email.
No Room for Wishing, a one-man documentary piece written and performed by Danny Brick. Produced in collaboration with the Central Square Theatre.
Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, by Rajiv Joseph. October 19-November 17, 2012, at the Boston Center for the Arts.
You for Me for You, by Mia Chung. Opens January 18, 2013.
XX Playlab. A celebration of female playwrights on the local and national level. Plays by Lydia R. Diamond, Kirsten Greednidge, and Natalia Naman.
She Kills Monsters, by Qui Ngyuen.
How we got on, by rapper/MC/slam poet/playwright Idris Goodwin.
Awards and Nominations
The Brother/Sister Plays: Elliot Norton Awards - Hampton Fluker, Winner Outstanding Actor, Small/Fringe Theater; Nominated, Outstanding Production, Small Theater. IRNE Awards - Winner Best Play (Midsize); Hampton Fluker, Winner Best Supporting Actor (Drama); James Milord, Nominated for Best Actor (Drama)
Green Eyes: Elliot Norton Awards - - Erin Markey, Winner Outstanding Actress, Small/Fringe Theater; Nominated for Outstanding Production, Small Theater
The Aliens: Elliot Norton Awards - - Shawn LaCount, Winner Outstanding Director, Small/Fringe Theater; Cristina Todesco, Bobby Frederick, Aaron Mack, Benjamin Williams; Winner Outstanding Design, Midsize/Small/Fringe Theater; Winner Outstanding Production, Small/Fringe Theater; Alex Pollock, Winner Outstanding Actor, Small/Fringe Theater. IRNE Awards - Nominated for Best Small Production
Neighbors: Elliot Norton Awards - Christine Power, Nominated for Outstanding Actress, Small/Fringe Theater
After the Quake: Elliot Norton Awards - Nominated for Outstanding Production by a Fringe Company
The Overwhelming: Elliot Norton Awards - Nominated for Outstanding Production by a Fringe Company
Voyeurs de Venus: Elliot Norton Awards - Summer L. Williams, Winner Outstanding Director, Small/Fringe Company; Nominated for Outstanding Production by a Fringe Company. RNE Awards - Marvelyn McFarlane, Nominated for Supporting Actress (Drama)
Mr. Marmalade: Elliot Norton Awards - Shawn LaCount, Nominated for Outstanding Director, Small/Fringe Company; Nominated for Outstanding Production by a Fringe Company. IRNE Awards - Nominated for Best Drama; Rachel Hunt, Nominated for Best Actress (Drama)
The Bluest Eye: Elliot Norton Awards - Nominated for Outstanding Production by a Fringe Company. IRNE Awards - Marvelyn McFarlane, Nominated for Supporting Actress (Drama); Summer L. Williams, Nominated for Best Director, Drama
Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train: Elliot Norton Awards - - Winner, Best Fringe Production
The Book of Grace: IRNE Awards - David Wheeler, Winner Best Director of a Drama (Midsize); Frances Idlebrook, Nominated Best Actress (Drama); Nominated for Best Play (Midsize)
The Mountain Song: IRNE Awards - with Pig Pen Theatre Company, Winner Best Visiting Production
GRIMM:IRNE Awards - Nominated for Best New Play; Becca A. Lewis, Winner Best Supporting Actress (Drama)
The Emancipation of Mandy and Miz Ellie: IRNE Awards - Alvin Terry, Nominated for Music Director
The Good Negro: IRNE Awards - Marvelyn McFarlane, Nominated for Best Actress (Drama); Kris Sidberry, Nominated for Best Supporting Actress (Drama)
The Pain and The Itch: IRNE Awards - Bevin O'Gara, Nominated for Best Director; Aimee Doherty, Nominated for Best Supporting Actress; Nominated for Best Ensemble
The Superheroine Monologues: IRNE Awards - Greg Maraio, Winner Best Costumes; Nominated for Best New Play
Assassins: IRNE Awards - Mason Sand, Winner Supporting Actor, Musical; Shawn LaCount, Nominated for Best Director of a Musical; Nominated for Best Musical
