TheatreWorks (Silicon Valley)

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley logo

Location| Palo Alto, California,
United States
Type| Regional Theatre Company
Capacity|

* Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts: 600
Lucie Stern Theatre: 400

Opened| July 1970
Artistic Director| Giovanna Sardelli
Website| www.theatreworks.org

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley is a professional non-profit theatre company based in Palo Alto, California, United States. It was founded in 1970 by Robert Kelley.

## History

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### 1970s

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Robert Kelley, a Bay Area native and Stanford University graduate in creative writing, founded TheatreWorks in July 1970.[1]: 3-5  The company's inaugural production was Popcorn, an original musical reflecting the social changes of the era, which premiered in July 1970.[1]: 6-7

### 1980s and 1990s

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In the 1980s, TheatreWorks continued to emphasize diversity and innovation under the leadership of Associate Artistic Director Anthony J. Haney. The company premiered productions such as The Fireworks Rag (1981), featuring a predominantly African-American cast.[1]: 45-47

### 2000s

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In 2002, TheatreWorks developed the musical Memphis at its New Works Festival. TheatreWorks then produced the world premiere of Memphis on its main stage in 2004.[2][3] Memphis later opened on Broadway in 2009 and won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical.[4]

### 2010s and 2020s

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Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley retired in June 2020 after 50 years with the company.[5]

In 2019, TheatreWorks received the Regional Theatre Tony Award.[6]

## References

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1. ^ a b c Young, Steve (1989). TheatreWorks: 20 Years of Magic. TheatreWorks.
2. ^ Connema, Richard. "Regional Reviews: San Francisco". Talkin' Broadway. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
3. ^ PIane, Charlie (14 June 2010). "Theatreworks Celebrates MEMPHIS' Tony Wins". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
4. ^ "'Red' and 'Memphis' Win Top Tony Awards". The New York Times. 13 June 2010. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
5. ^ Shea, Christopher D. (11 May 2017). "Robert Kelley to Retire After 50 Years at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
6. ^ Libbey, Peter (9 June 2019). "2019 Tony Award Winners: Full List". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 November 2024.

## External links

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* Official website