Newly installed at the helm of American Theater Company and facing an uphill path to fiscal security, artistic director Will Davis has revised the 2016–17 season slate he announced in May.
“As the incoming artistic director, it is my job and privilege to shepherd ATC into its next chapter, which must be defined not just by virtuosic artistry but also by fiscal responsibility,” Davis said in a prepared statement. “It is imperative that I consider this moment of transition carefully to ensure that the work being made in our small but mighty warehouse continues to grow over my tenure, and this season that means we will reimagine our producing footprint. I intend for ATC to be a thriving non-profit and a home base for powerful new works for the American Theater.”
The season will now start with what had been the second production, Davis’s own staging of Jaclyn Backhaus’s Men on Boats (January 6–February 12). The next slot will be Davis’s “loving reimagining” of the William Inge classic Picnic (previously set for May 19–June 25, now moved up to March 17–April 23).
What had been announced as this fall’s season opener, the world premiere of Dan Aibel’s T., an examination of l'affaire Tonya Harding–Nancy Kerrigan, will now run May 19–June 25; Margot Bordelon remains attached to direct. The fourth play originally announced for the upcoming season, Basil Kreimendahl’s dark comedy We’re Gonna Be Okay, will now be produced in the 2017–18 season.
In the place of a full production this fall, ATC will launch the “Open Residency Program,” an incubator for new, interdisciplinary performance; further details and a call for proposals will be announced in August.