In 1986 at the Night Flight Theatre, a collection of scenes was presented by an acting class taught by a highly respected Meisner teacher (Edward Kaye-Martin). A selection of these students, excited to further explore this shared experience, created an ensemble of like-minded theatre artists. And so, the Alliance Repertory Company began.
The Alliance Repertory Company has offered nearly 50 plays in our first 24 years, presenting a blend of new voices along with the works of established authors. Playwrights like Sam Shepard (Seduced, 2001), Clifford Odets (The Big Knife, 1993) and Tennessee Williams (27 Wagons Full of Cotton, 1990) received revivals in the Alliance's intimate space on Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank, while world premieres by Sarah Bewley (Power in the Blood, 2005), Mel DeMind (Big Headed Women, 2000), Hal Cantor (Cubicles, 2006) and Michael T. Folie (The Adjustment, 1995) have also graced our stages. We are very proud to have been participants in the largest collaborative theater event in recent history: Suzan-Lori Parks' 365 Days/365 Plays (2006-2007).
In 2007 after 19 years of residency, the building that housed our theater was sold and the Alliance was evicted by the new owners. Over the ensuing 24 months, the Alliance was producing only sporadically in various venues while searching for a new home. Many of the then members moved along to other companies until none but an ensemble of five remained. Being determined not to allow this happenstance end what many had worked so hard to create, the remaining members came upon the Andrew Benne Studios in North Hollywood. In a quirk of fate, Mr. Benne had been one of the students in that original Edward Kaye Martin class from 24 years prior. Our residency at the Andrew Benne Studios began on September 1, 2009. In the time since, we have rebuilt our Board of Directors and our ensemble of theatre artists. We have begun to produce again and are thrilled to be doing so. In 2009, the Alliance Repertory Company expanded its artistic opportunities to include a partnership with New River Dramatists. New River Dramatists is an incubator for the new plays from some wonderful playwrights: M.Z. Ribalow, James McLure, Adam Kraar, Joseph McDonough, Denis Johnson and Steven Fechter, to name just a few. We are grateful to have access to these playwrights and their new plays and delighted to be able to offer them to Los Angeles theater patrons.
The Alliance Repertory Company reaffirms its commitment to provide a brand of theatre that heightens awareness of the human condition relevant to our times, continually striving to support the ensemble as well as the individual artist. Our focus remains primarily on new, experimental or established works that can foster communication between the theatre artist and the audience.
Moving forward in our new space and with our new partners, mindful of our history and mission, we dedicate our best efforts to ensure that we endeavor to provide our patrons and alumni a theatre with the integrity, quality and passion the Alliance has always been proud to present.
To find out more about the New River Dramatists, please go to www.newriverdramatists.org.
