Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company is a

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

theatre company Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors or actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The perfor ...

located at 641 D Street NW in the Penn Quarter neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1980, it produces new plays which it believes to be edgy, challenging, and thought-provoking. Performances are in a 265-seat

courtyard A courtyard or court is a circumscribed area, often surrounded by a building or complex, that is open to the sky. Courtyards are common elements in both Western and Eastern building patterns and have been used by both ancient and contemporary ...

-style theater. Woolly Mammoth is led by Artistic Director Maria Manuela Goyanes, a celebrated American theatre producer, and Managing Director Ted DeLong.

History

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Washington DC

Woolly Mammoth was founded by Howard Shalwitz, Roger Brady, and Linda Reinisch in 1980. "While working odd jobs to make money, we held our first auditions outdoors in Glover Park and started improvisatory workshops in the auditorium of the HHS building." It opened its first season in The Church of the Epiphany parish hall near Metro Center. Outgrowing this initial home, the company rented a warehouse in the 14th Street corridor, where it performed for 13 years. When that space ceased to be available, Woolly Mammoth became a

nomad A nomad is a member of a community without fixed habitation who regularly moves to and from the same areas. Such groups include hunter-gatherers, pastoral nomads (owning livestock), tinkers and trader nomads. In the twentieth century, the po ...

company, performing in various venues in the DC area. During this period the company worked with the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation to acquire space for and to outfit a new theatre. "Woolly's goal is to challenge our artists and our audiences in ways that are fun and exciting and theatrically adventurous. People can enjoy Woolly who are Democrats or Republicans, liberals or conservatives, because we're trying to come at audiences from unexpected points of view. We would rather be politically challenging and uncomfortable and prickly and put images in front of people that make them think and surprise them, rather than just congratulating our audience for being the people they are." Opened in 2005, its permanent home is a $9 million, 265-seat courtyard-style theater. It was designed by Washington-based architect Mark McInturff in association with Theatre Project Consultants. The space has won local, regional, and national awards for innovative architectural design, including the

American Institute of Architects The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to s ...

2006 Institute Honor Award for Interior Architecture and the US Institute for Theatre Technology Honor Award. In 2018, Woolly Mammoth hired Maria Manuela Goyanes as its Artistic Director, succeeding founder Howard Shalwitz. Goyanes is known for her production successes at the Public Theater in New York as well as for being a theater educator and leader. Plays that have premiered at Woolly Mammoth have been produced in more than 200 theaters in 39 states and 12 countries. The theatre's education and outreach programs include "Pay-What-You-Can" (PWYC) performances providing access to all residents regardless of economic means, and "Playmaking," which pairs students with professional playwrights. "Woolly D.C." is a program where a neighborhood joins together to create an original production based on an issue of common community concern, and there are internships, workshops, and theater classes, including a partnership with the

University of Maryland, College Park The University of Maryland, College Park (University of Maryland, UMD, or simply Maryland) is a public land-grant research university in College Park, Maryland. Founded in 1856, UMD is the flagship institution of the University System of ...

Current and recent productions

For resident theatre companies "repertory is destiny" – a theatre company acquires its audience by the productions it presents. Woolly Mammoth's productions are new plays that "explore the edges of theatrical style and human experience."

Notable playwrights and productions

Woolly Mammoth has produced works by the following playwrights in the seasons indicated: * David Adjmi: ''Stunning'' (2007–08) *Robert Alexander: ''The Last Orbit of Billy Mars'' (1998–99) *

Sheila Callaghan Sheila Callaghan (born 1973) is a playwright and screenwriter who emerged from the RAT ( Regional Alternative Theatre) movement of the 1990s. She has been profiled by ''American Theater Magazine'', "The Brooklyn Rail", ''Theatermania'', and ''Th ...

: ''

Fever/Dream ''Fever/Dream'' is a play by Sheila Callaghan which premiered in 2009 at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, DC. It is a reinvention of Pedro Calderón de la Barca's play '' Life is a Dream''. Plot summary In ''Fever/Dream'', Segis B ...

'' (2008–09) * Bridget Carpenter: ''The Faculty Room'' (2005–06) * Ian Cohen: ''Lenny & Lou'' (2004–05) *

Mike Daisey Mike Daisey (born January 21, 1976) is an American monologist, author, and actor. His monologue ''The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs'', about the labor conditions under which Apple devices are made, was used as the basis for a widely share ...

: ''If You See Something Say Something'' (2007–08); ''How Theater Failed America'' (2008–09); ''The Last Cargo Cult'' (2009–10); ''The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs'' (2010–11); ''The Trump Card'' (2016–2017) *

Amy Freed Amy Freed (born 1958) is an American playwright. Her play '' Freedomland'' was a finalist for the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Biography Early life Freed was born in Manhattan and grew up in The Bronx, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Westchester Co ...

: ''Psychic Life of Savages'' (1994–95); ''Freedomland'' (1998–99) *

Melissa James Gibson Melissa James Gibson is a Canadian-born playwright based in New York. Life The child of former BC Liberal MLA Gordon Gibson and journalist Valerie Gibson, Melissa James Gibson grew up in North Vancouver. She graduated from Columbia University a ...

: ''Current Nobody'' (2007–08) *Jason Grote: ''

Maria/Stuart ''Maria/Stuart'' is a play by Jason Grote (''1001'', ''This Storm is What We Call Progress''), which premiered in 2008 at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company is a non-profit theatre company located at 641 D Street NW in ...

'' (2008–09); ''Civilization: all you can eat'' (2011–2012) * Danai Gurira: ''Eclipsed'' (2009–10); ''The Convert'' (2012–13); Familiar (2017–2018) *

Samuel D. Hunter Samuel D. Hunter (born 1981) is an American playwright living in New York City. Hunter was born and raised in Moscow, Idaho. He is best known for plays ''A Bright New Boise'', which won the 2011 Obie Award for playwriting, and ''The Whale'', whi ...

: ''A Bright New Boise'' (2011–2012) * Sherry Kramer: ''David's Redhaired Death'' (1990–91) *

Tracy Letts Tracy S. Letts (born July 4, 1965) is an American actor, playwright, and screenwriter. He started his career at the Steppenwolf Theatre before making his Broadway debut as a playwright for '' August: Osage County'' (2007), for which he received ...

: ''Bug'' (1999–2000) * David Lindsay-Abaire: ''Wonder of the World'' (1999–2000) * Bruce Norris: ''The Unmentionables'' (2007–08);

Clybourne Park ''Clybourne Park'' is a 2010 play by Bruce Norris written as a spin-off to Lorraine Hansberry's play '' A Raisin in the Sun'' (1959). It portrays fictional events set during and after the Hansberry play, and is loosely based on historical event ...

(2009–10), winner 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Drama *

Robert O'Hara Robert O'Hara (born 1970) is an American playwright and director. He has written ''Insurrection: Holding History'' and ''Bootycandy''. ''Insurrection'' is a time traveling play exploring racial and sexual identity. ''Bootycandy'' is a series of ...

: ''Antebellum'' (2008–09); ''Bootycandy'' (2010–11); ''Zombie: The American'' (2014–15) * Philip Ridley: ''The Pitchfork Disney'' (1994–95) *

Sarah Ruhl Sarah Ruhl (born January 24, 1974) is an American playwright, professor, and essayist. Among her most popular plays are ''Eurydice'' (2003), ''The Clean House'' (2004), and ''In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play)'' (2009). She has been the reci ...

: ''The Clean House'' (2004–05); '' Dead Man's Cell Phone'' (2006–07), which subsequently was produced at

Playwrights Horizons Playwrights Horizons is a not-for-profit Off-Broadway theater located in New York City dedicated to the support and development of contemporary American playwrights, composers, and lyricists, and to the production of their new work. Under the ...

in New York and Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago *Laura Schellhardt,

The K of D ''The K of D, an Urban Legend'' is a play by Laura Schellhardt, which premiered at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in 2008. Plot summary ''The K of D'' presents an urban legend set in a small town in Ohio during one hot, sticky August summer. The ...

(2008) * Nicky Silver: ''Fat Men in Skirts'' (1990–91); ''Free Will & Wanton Lust'' (1992–93); ''The Food Chain'' (1993–94); ''Raised in Captivity'' (1996–97) *

Anne Washburn Anne Washburn is an American playwright. Life Washburn graduated from Reed College and from New York University, with an M.F.A. Her plays have been produced in New York City by Cherry Lane Theatre, Clubbed Thumb, The Civilians, Vineyard Theat ...

: ''

Mr. Burns, a post-electric play ''Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play'' (stylized ''Mr. Burns, a post-electric play'') is an American black comedy play written by Anne Washburn and featuring music by Michael Friedman. ''Mr. Burns'' tells the story of a group of survivors recalling ...

'' (2011–12) * Craig Wright: ''Recent Tragic Events'' (2002–03); ''Grace'' (2003–04) * Doug Wright: ''Watbanaland'' (1995–96); ''Quills'' (1996–97)

Awards

In 2014 Howard Shalwitz was awarded the Margo Jones Award for his founding and direction of the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company Overall, the company has earned over 130 Helen Hayes nominations and won 35 Helen Hayes Awards. Its more prestigious awards include: * 2013 The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical, ''

Stupid Fucking Bird ''Stupid Fucking Bird'' is a contemporary adaptation of Anton Chekhov's 1896 play '' The Seagull,'' written by American playwright Aaron Posner, co-founder of the Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia. Posner has written multiple adaptations of Ch ...

'' * 2013 Outstanding Resident Play, ''Stupid Fucking Bird'' * 2008 The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical, '' Dead Man's Cell Phone''. * 2007 Outstanding Non-Resident Production, ''In the Continuum''. * 2006 Outstanding Resident Play, ''

The Clean House ''The Clean House'' is a play by Sarah Ruhl, which premiered in 2004 at Yale Repertory Theatre, was produced Off-Broadway at Lincoln Center Theater in 2006, and has since been produced in many theaters. The play is a whimsical romantic comed ...

''. * 2006 The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical, ''Starving''. * 1996 Outstanding Resident Play, '' The Pitchfork Disney''. * 1994 The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical, ''Free Will and Wanton Lust''. * 1991 Outstanding Resident Musical, ''

The Rocky Horror Show ''The Rocky Horror Show'' is a Musical theatre, musical with music, lyrics and book by Richard O'Brien. A humorous tribute to the Science fiction film, science fiction and Horror film, horror B movies of the 1930s through to the early 1960s, the ...

''. * 1988 Outstanding New Play, ''National Defense''. * 1987 Outstanding New Play, ''New York Mets''. * 1986 Outstanding New Play, ''Metamorphosis''.

Affiliations

Woolly Mammoth is a member of the National New Play Network,

Theatre Communications Group Theatre Communications Group (TCG) is a non-profit service organization headquartered in New York City that promotes professional non-profit theatre in the United States. The organization also publishes ''American Theatre'' magazine and ''ARTSEA ...

, the League of Washington Theaters, and the

Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington The Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington (CAGW) works to increase appreciation, support, and resources for arts and culture in the Greater Washington, D.C. region with over 300 member organizations. References Non-profit organizations ...

. The theatre's programs are supported by the

National Endowment for the Arts The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal ...

, the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and the National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs Program of

United States Commission of Fine Arts The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) is an independent agency of the federal government of the United States, and was established in 1910. The CFA has review (but not approval) authority over the "design and aesthetics" of all construction wit ...

Notes

Woolly Mammoth is a Blue Star Theatre – part of a collaboration between the Theatre Communications Group and Blue Star Families offering discounted admission to all military personnel, their families and U.S. veterans.

References

External links

Official Woolly Mammoth websiteHoward Shalwitz papers, Special Collections in Performing Arts, University of Maryland Libraries.
{{authority control Theatre companies in Washington, D.C. 1980 establishments in Washington, D.C. League of Washington Theatres Penn Quarter Theatres in Washington, D.C. Arts organizations established in 1980