Mission Statement
To elevate, educate, and entertain audiences of all ages by presenting thought-provoking classics, socially relevant plays, and education programs in a beautiful, natural outdoor sanctuary for the arts. By passing on a sense of history to young people and adults alike, great works of art inform their present and inspire their future. A true renaissance theatre, we offer (at affordable prices) a diversity of programming from Shakespeare to poetry to folk music to the development of future playwrights - all to help understand the world we live in and to embrace our shared humanity.
Description
The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum was incorporated in 1973.
The beginnings of the Theatricum Botanicum can be traced to the early 1950s when Will Geer, a victim of the McCarthy era blacklist (before he became known as the beloved Grandpa on TV's "The Waltons") opened a theater for blacklisted actors and folk singers on his property in Topanga. Today the theater, youth camp, and on and off-site educational programs are run by his family. The two stages are situated in a natural canyon ravine, where audiences are able to relax and enjoy the wilderness during an afternoon or evening's performance.
The 2010 Summer Season, from June to October includes 5 classic plays in repertory; pre-performance August Thursday night Fairy Dinners and September Friday night French dinners; July Thursday night Boutique series on Stage 2; special concerts; Theatricum Botanicum - readings of new plays; Prologue Discussions with directors and cast prior to selected performances; and Sunday Family FunDays including KidsKoncerts and Creative PlayGround children's theatre.
The 2010 Summer Repertory Season includes Shakespeare's Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream; The Three Muskateers - a world premiere based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas; Master Class by Terrence McNally; and Carry It On - Great American Moments in Word and Song adapted and directed by Ellen Geer, Theatricum’s Artistic Director and daughter of Will Geer. The July Thursday night Boutique Series includes Improv, Cabaret, and a Poet’s Roundtable. Concerts during the season are varied and will include among others The Woody Guthrie Show performed by the Geer family and friends of Guthrie, and a tribute to Dolly Parton. Check the website www.theatricum.com for complete schedule.
