Formation 2007 Location Washington, D.C. | Type Theatre group | |
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Purpose Epic, ensemble theatre from around the world Artistic director(s) Allison Arkell Stockman (Founding Artistic Director) | ||
The Constellation Theatre Company is a non-profit theater company located in Washington, D.C. It performs at the Source Theatre in Washington D.C. Its declared mission is "to spark the curiosity and imagination of the people of Greater Washington, DC by bringing stories to life from all over the world. We open our creative process to the community and encourage a dynamic exchange of ideas. We cultivate interdisciplinary collaboration that unites the acting ensemble, the written word, visual spectacle, original music and movement to form an intimate and vibrant entertainment experience." Since its formation its productions have received several Helen Hayes Awards to include The John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company - 2009
Contents
Facilities
The Constellation Theatre Company uses the facilities of Cultural D.C.'s Source Theatre at 1835 14th St NW. It features a 120-seat black box performance space The upper floor has a rehearsal room, conference room, and office space
Artistic Director and Associate Artists
Constellation Theatre Company's founding artistic director is Allison Arkell Stockman. A 1996 graduate of Princeton University and a 2001 graduate of Carnegie Mellon School of Drama, Allison was a freelance director in Washington, DC and New York City. In 2006 she quit her job as a teacher, took short-term jobs for a year, and then started the theater company in 2007.
Stockman has built a permanent company of "Constellation Associate Artists" including a number of actors who appear regularly with Constellation, and also the composer and performer Tom Teasley, who has provided original music for many of the company's productions, much of which has been recorded and issued on CD.
Theatrical Collaboration
Constellation Theatre Company has, in addition, regularly brought in performers outside the normal theatre community and fostered intercompany collaboration within the community. According to another theatre company's artistic director Constellation Theatre's philosophy "supports the idea that theater isn’t competitive and that we should all be supporting each other absolutely. When we learn from each other and support each other, that sends a message and gives us all more theater all the time."
Notable Past Productions
Current Productions
2015-2016 Season - Playtime for GrownupsProduction History
2014-2015 SeasonSignificant Events
In September 2013, the American Theatre Wing, (the Founder of the Tony Awards) awarded a National Theatre Company Grant to Constellation Theatre. The grant is for general operating support to companies that "have articulated a distinctive mission, cultivated an audience, and nurtured a community of artists in ways that strengthen and demonstrate the quality, diversity, and dynamism of American theatre".
The specific award citation read
Constellation Theatre Company's mission is to spark the curiosity and imagination of their audiences by bringing stories to life from all over the world. By opening their creative process to the community, the company cultivates interdisciplinary collaboration that unites the acting ensemble, the written word, visual spectacle, original music and movement to form an intimate and vibrant entertainment experience.Awards
The Constellation Theatre Company and its productions have been awarded the following Helen Hayes Awards.
In addition the following performer was nominated for Helen Hayes Awards
The Constellation Theatre Company was nominated for the following Audience Choice Awards
Costume Designer Kendra Rai was awarded a 2014 Princess Grace Foundation honorarium to be used for the company's 2014-2015 season costumes