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Mission & History
From Off-Broadway to Public Schools throughout New York City, Epic Theatre Ensemble is a company of Citizen-Artists using theatre to inspire dialogue about vital social, ethical, and political issues. MissionEpic Theatre Ensemble aims to build thoughtful citizenship in communities throughout the city by producing socially-minded plays Off-Broadway, and connecting these plays to the NYC Public Schools via ground-breaking, fully-integrated artist residencies. Using theatrical participation to foster dialogue on the complex relationships between individuals and their civic context, Epic's artists champion the belief that a theatre which addresses social issues is critical to the health of our democracy.HistoryWinner of OBIE, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics, and OTTO Awards, Epic Theatre Ensemble was founded in 2001 by Zak Berkman, Melissa Friedman, Teri Lamm, Ron Russell and James Wallert. Additional Producing Artists are Will Pomerantz, Godfrey L. Simmons Jr. and Sarah Winkler. Epic's past productions include Nilaja Sun's No Child..., which Epic commissioned, developed and premiered before its commercial transfer and national tour, as well as premieres of Palace of the End by Judith Thompson (Epic Commission, 2008 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Winner), A Hard Heart by Howard Barker (featuring Kathleen Chalfant), Beauty on the Vine by Zak Berkman (featuring Epic Associates David Strathairn and Olivia Wilde), Hannah and Martin by Kate Fodor (featuring David Strathairn), Einstein's Gift by Vern Thiessen (featuring Aasif Mandvi and Shawn Elliott), Habitat by Judith Thompson and revivals of GB Shaw's Widowers' Houses (with Peter Jay Fernandez), Little Eyolf by Henrik Ibsen and Time and the Conways by J.B. Priestley.Epic's first official day of operations was September 11, 2001. Rather than be deterred by world events, Epic's Founders were galvanized to work even harder to create a company that embraces theatre and theatre-artists as unique instruments for empowering diverse voices, fostering public dialogue, and inspiring social change. The artists who participate in Epic's Off-Broadway Season are also part of the company's nationally acclaimed arts-education residencies that are presented in public schools and community centers in New York, New Jersey, and New England. Epic Theatre Ensemble is a Member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, as well as ART/NY. |
Board of DirectorsOlivier Sultan, chairAlexis de Chimay, vice-chair William J. Martin, treasurer Zak Berkman Catherine Coray Kerry Diamond Melissa Friedman Sarah Greene William Martin Degan Mercado Glenn Pagan Antonio Rodrigues Ron Russell Suzanne Schaaff David Strathairn James Wallert Olivia Wilde Emily Bickford Lansbury* Donna Hardiman* Nancy Malone* *Board Emeritus Advisory CouncilLen BerkmanCicely Berry Eric Booth Kathleen Chalfant Migdalia Cruz Richard Easton Athol Fugard Jonathan Kozol Craig Lucas Nicholas Martin Kyra Sedgwick Cotter Smith |