Serious Play Theatre Ensemble

Performing Group

Serious Play Theatre Ensemble works toward reshaping society’s conversation on prominent social issues through the art of ensemble theatre. We strive to inspire curiosity, and challenge, tantalize, and engage audiences, and to pose the uncomfortable questions. We are committed to attracting audiences back to the power of the live moment. For Serious Play Theatre Ensemble, theatre is a potent art form. We work collaboratively to seek the truth in each dramatic moment by creating a physical form of expression that engages audiences in a fresh new way, as a true theatrical celebration! We challenge ourselves to explore our individual histories, creativity, and voices, and to fuse our experiences into engaging theatre with strong contemporary messages through “total physical expressiveness on stage.”  

We create original devised work, stage new scripted plays, and reinterpret classic and modern plays informed by the perspective of the ensemble. We perform, teach, and tour locally, nationally, and internationally. Our new Edinburgh Fringe Performance Exchange welcomes important international voices into our national cultural dialogue sharing diverse global perspectives directly with our audiences.

SERIOUS PLAY THEATRE ENSEMBLE is a project of Cultural Images Group, Inc., a tax exempt corporation. Serious Play has received support from the Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Mass Cultural Council, Mass Foundation for Humanities and Public Policy, Kahn Institute of Smith College, Sheila Fortune, Arts Angels, Puffin Foundation, Northampton Arts Council, BJ Goodwin Fund, MCC Creative Schools Grant, Network for Ensemble Theaters, and individual donors. We are an Artist Associate with APE Northampton and the Northampton Comunity Arts Trust, a member of the Network of Ensemble Theaters, and one of the 65 non-profit organizations in Massachusetts chosen by the Phillips Foundation Catalogue for Philanthropy

Primary Discipline

Theater - Devised / Artist-Led

Additional Disciplines

Theater - Solo / One-Person Show

Activities

Arts for Social Change / Creative Activism
Performance / Concert / Reading
Workshops / Demonstrations / Master Class

Awards

  • Jane Ahlfeld Award - Dynamic Impact in the Arts NAC - Sheryl Stoodley
  • International Award for Innovation - JoakimInterfest Theatre Festival, Serbia for "Milosevic at the Hague"
  • Recognition in the Catalogue of Philanthropy

Education

  • Sheryl Stoodley, M.A. Theater, Smith College
  • Anne Bogart, Viewpoints/ Composition Workshop, Saratoga International Theater Institute ( SITI Co.) N.Y.C.
  • Eric Hill, Tadashi Suzuki Theater Training, StageWest, Springfield
  • Kristin Linklater, The Company of Women, Boston
  • Jonathan Croy, Shakespeare & Company, Lenox

Professional Associations

  • Member Network of Ensemble Theaters
  • Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society

Additional Information

  • Year founded: 1992
  • Is a Teaching Artist
  • Is a Touring Artist
  • Approx. 5 events per year
  • Has venues available
  • Geographic Reach: City/Town-wide, County-wide, Surrounding Counties/Region, State-wide, Surrounding States/Region, Nationally, Internationally
  • Seasons active: Year round