LIGHTS OUT
THE NONPROFIT THEATRE IS IN A CRISIS OF RELEVANCY
Driven by social, economic, and historical shifts, traditional operating models are failing. Many theatres have turned to safe, formulaic productions in the vain hope of attracting the subscribers of a previous generation. Concurrently, a number of key institutions dedicated to new play development have closed their doors, creating a void in the talent pipeline. In Connecticut, the situation is particularly dire, with vanishingly few theatres commissioning, developing, or producing new plays. This paucity of new work threatens the future of theatre as a vibrant cultural force, leaving audiences hungry for courageous work that speaks to their experiences and concerns.
The only theatre in Connecticut exclusively dedicated to new work from commission to development to production.
WHOWEARE
THROWN STONE HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIFFERENT
Since our debut in 2017, we have been in conversation with our audience on the big questions. The hard questions. The questions that matter today.
Olivia Billings in Athena by Gracie Gardner, 2022. 1
TO MAKE NEW THEATRE.
Through commissions, development, and production, we empower artists and audiences to engage on the important questions of our time.
OUR MISSION
Snipes in Should We Dance Instead? by Phanésia Pharel, 2021.
A recognized center for new plays, highly desired by audiences and artists as a place to gather and grow.
OUR VISION
J.R. Sullivan in Birds of North America by Anna Moench, 2019.
INTEGRITY
We are committed to safety, compliance with laws and regulations, organizational transparency, and inclusivity for all collaborators and audiences.
CULTIVATION AND COLLABORATION
We believe that cultivating new work is essential to the practice of theatre. Cultivation of new work demands labor, attention, courage, and care — and most of all, collaboration. We collaborate to serve the vision of the playwright and to nurture a creative process where every participant is both empowered and accountable.
EQUITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
We are committed to cultivating a space where all individuals feel welcomed, valued, and empowered as stewards of our mission, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. Equity and accountability go hand in hand as we strive together for a more perfect cultural resource — one that reflects the rich diversity of our region, illuminates underexplored perspectives, and advances accessibility for all.
OUR
VALUES
4 Maria McConville in Cry It Out by Molly Smith Metzler, 2019.
OUR
VALUES
HUMANE AND SUSTAINABLE WORKPLACE
We value process as much as product, and commit to creating a safe, supportive, and productive space free of bullying, intimidation, physical violence, sexual harassment, or any other form of abuse. We believe in offering grace and restorative justice, but do not tolerate toxicity.
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
We continually strive to adopt and invent best practices to help improve our efficiency and our impact.
PLACE
We believe our work is inseparable from the place where it grows. We honor and celebrate local character, culture, and history.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We acknowledge that our hometown of Ridgefield exists on the ancestral homelands of the Ramapo, Lenape and Wiechquaesgeck who have been living and working on this land since time immemorial. It is important that we express our gratitude and appreciation by understanding the long history that has brought us to this land and seek to understand our place within that history. Truth and acknowledgment of our past are crucial to building mutual respect to connect us once again regardless of barriers of heritage and difference. For more information, visit iaismuseum.org.
Clare Parme in Cry It Out by Molly Smith Metzler, 2019. 5
6 Alexandra Bazan and Aidan Meachem in Milk by Ross Dunsmore, 2017.
The Waterfall by Phanésia Pharel wins The Kennedy Center’s Lorraine Hansberry Playwriting Award
The World Premiere of Seven Cousins for a Horse by Tammy Ryan; conclusion of 068 Magazine Playwriting Fellowship with a workshop and reading of The Waterfall by Phanésia Pharel at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, CA
The New England Premieres of Athena by Gracie Gardner and Hysterical! by Elenna Stauffer, in repertory; Full-length commission of Seven Cousins for a Horse by Tammy Ryan; 068 Magazine Playwriting Fellowship with inaugural fellow Phanésia Pharel
The World Premiere of The Suburbs: The Caterers by Tony Meneses, Should We Dance Instead? by Phanésia Pharel, and An Education: How To Confront the Classics by Catherine Yu
Productions canceled due to COVID-19
The Connecticut Premiere of Cry it Out by Molly Smith Metzler and The East Coast Premiere of Birds of North America by Anna Moench, in repertory at Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance; staged reading of Willing by Claire Glubiak at the Ridgefield Library
The New England Premiere of The Arsonists by Jacqueline Goldfinger and The East Coast Premiere of Where All Good Rabbits Go by Karina Cochran, in repertory at Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance
The U.S. Premiere of Milk by Ross Dunsmore at Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance; Chekhov International Theatre Festival staged reading of The Butcher by Gwydion Suilebhan
Debut Summer Reading Series: The Fields of Blue and Glow by Corinna Schulenburg and Blink by Kate Moira Ryan at the Ridgefield Library; Chekhov International Theatre Festival staged reading of Milk by Ross Dunsmore
ANDBOARD STAFF
8 Jason Peck in Where All Good Rabbits Go by Karina Cochran, 2018.
BOARD STAFF
BOARD
Kate Schardt, President
Emily Wilson, Vice President
Dean Miller, Treasurer
Jonathan Winn, Secretary
Jennifer Dineen
Kolton Harris
Steve King
Kevin Mambo
Jason Peck
Daniela Sikora
Rich Vazzana
Bob Trainer
PERSONNEL
Jason Peck and Jonathan Winn, Co-Artistic Directors
Shannon Helene Barnes, Artistic Associate
Emma Factor, Artistic Associate
Richard Harrison, Artistic Associate
Will Jeffries, Artistic Associate
Maria McConville, Artistic Associate
Aidan Meachem, Artistic Associate
Jordan Moore, Artistic Associate
Phanésia Pharel, Artistic Associate
Brenda Phelps, Artistic Associate
Bridget Ann White, Artistic Associate
Corrinne Woods, Artistic Associate
FUTURE
Say farewell to summer-only programming. We’re going year-round with a curated season of full productions, a new play festival, and of course more commissions and workshops for playwrights. Last but not least, The New Connections Award will continue to recognize members of our community who exemplify Thrown Stone’s values — at our first opening night every season.
FUTUREPLANS
Shannon Helene Barnes in Hysterical! by Elenna Stauffer, 2022. 11
LAST HOME AT
Davis and Will Jeffies in Should We Dance Instead? by Phanésia Pharel, 2021.
After seven years on the move, it’s time to put down roots. We are parntering with a new venue in 2025 that will sustain our growth over the next five years and beyond. To learn more, request a copy of our business plan today.
BACKERSAUDITION YOUR
Peck in Seven Cousins for a Horse by Tammy Ryan, 2023.
In a time when theatres are closing, we are expanding. Our five-year plan positions us for success by leveraging our greatest asset: Our mission to make new theatre. Get your copy today.
BACKERSAUDITION
Will Jeffries in Seven Cousins for a Horse by Tammy Ryan, 2023. 15
Nick Plakias in The Arsonists by Jacqueline Goldfinger, 2018.
Emma Factor in The Arsonists by Jacqueline Goldfinger, 2018.
PARTNER HEY
Carter in The Caterers by Tony Meneses, 2021.
PARTNER
Align your brand with some of the most daring, innovative voices the in the arts today: The playwrights who ask the big questions and shape the important conversations. Doomscrolling is so 2020. Make a meaningful connection through the arts.
ACTNOW
Michael Minh in An Education: How to Confront the Classics by Catherine Yu, 2021.
If you believe…
…in the value of new ideas,
…in a public forum for the big questions,
…in the necessity of human connection,
…that a theatre can be a place to gather and grow,
…that it’s not art without a little courage,
Let’s have a conversation.
Your support is urgently needed.
Thrown Stone Theatre Company
thrownstone.org PO BOX 731
Ridgefield, CT 06877
(203) 442-1714
Thrown Stone is a 501(c)(3) organization.
“I wish that all theatres were as exuberant and innovative as Thrown Stone”
— Jacqueline Goldfinger, The Arsonists, 2018 “Thrown Stone has quickly established itself as a true playwright’s theatre”
— Molly Smith Metzler, Cry It Out, 2019 “Working with Thrown Stone was a miracle”
— Tony Meneses , The Caterers, 2021
“My Suburbs commission was the closest thing I’ve felt to magic”
— Phanésia Pharel , Should We Dance Instead?, 2021
“My now-favorite theatre company”
— Elenna Stauffer, Hysterical!, 2022
“I never felt as supported during the writing process as I did working on this commission for Thrown Stone”
— Tammy Ryan , Seven Cousins for a Horse, 2023
Production Photos by Chuck Jennes Photography