Tiny Theatricals: A Digital Theater Platform

 

This free educational tool is the creation of director, writer, educator and former American Conservatory Theater Artistic Director Carey Perloff (http://careyperoff.com), who has spent decades developing audiences for live theater by providing insight into the creative process, and developing artists through rigorous and compassionate rehearsal techniques. Inspired by John Barton’s groundbreaking BBC series “Playing Shakespeare” (approaching the plays with a modern sensibility and informed by in-depth historical knowledge) the series will feature high-quality “behind-the-scenes” videos featuring major actors rehearsing great classical plays and wrestling with the ideas and issues contained in the work. Having directed dozens of award-winning classical and contemporary productions across America and Canada, Perloff will guide the rehearsal process and, in future, invite fellow directors to lend their own expertise. Past pilots of this program have featured Uma Thurman and Lucas Hedges in Chekhov’s SEAGULL, Bob Balaban and John Douglas Thompson in Sophocles’ OEDIPUS AT COLONUS and David Strathairn and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio in Ibsen’s GHOSTS. Because the creation of these captured rehearsal videos requires a short time commitment on the part of the actors, Tiny Theatricals can offer major artists a forum to rehearse material they would never otherwise have the time or opportunity to explore. In Perloff's view, the rehearsal process is not only about craft, it is about unpacking the key issues and ideas inherent in dramatic texts, and reinvigorating our democracy though the collective act of theater-making.

Partnering with such major arts organizations as Seattle Repertory Theater and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, as well as with Digital Theater Plus in London (https://www.digitaltheatreplus.com), Tiny Theatricals anticipates launching the first series, "Rehearsing Greek Tragedy" (featuring actors John Douglas Thompson and Nike Imoru) in Winter 2023. Subsequent series may include the participation of global directors, and content will be released in both video and podcast form.