American Repertory Theater of Western New York

American Repertory Theater of Western New York is a theater company located in Western New York with several production spaces throughout the Buffalo, New York, metro region. A 501(c)3 dramatic arts organization established in 2007 by current Executive/Artistic Director Matthew LaChiusa and former Board President Renee A Filip (2007-2011) with establishment of the company's early productions and success credited to lighting & set designer Michael Loddick, stage manager Brigid Hannon, production management through Thomas LaChiusa and director/costume designer Christopher Standart. Additional credit to the company's later establishment includes production manager Kerilea Butler, former Board President Michael Wrona (2010-2013), director/actor Jeffrey Coyle, playwright Mark C Lloyd, playwright Mark Humphrey and director Drew McCabe.

American Repertory Theater of WNY mission statement (co-authored by Matthew LaChiusa and Renee Filip) "is two fold. First, the mandate of The American Repertory Theater is to produce both classic and contemporary theatrical works and support a new generation of playwrights. These productions are purposefully created through the innovative exploration of these selected works, thereby enhancing the cultural and intellectual experience of the theatergoer. Second, the American Repertory Theater will serve as a catalyst for community dialogue and action that will result in sustained economic growth and increase the collaboration within all sectors of our community."

The History of American Repertory Theater of WNY

On January 19, 2007, American Repertory Theater of Western New York, Inc receives incorporation status from NY State and in the spring, May 21, American Repertory Theater of Western New York, Inc is officially granted Non-For-Profit status receiving a Federal 501 C3 certification.

In its inaugural season, ART/WNY had two shows up for region's award ceremony, called the ARTIE Awards, for outstanding facets of Buffalo theater. “Axeman's Jazz” is nominated for "Best New Play" and “The Rose Tattoo” is nominated for "Best Ensemble". ART begins it second season (2008–09) with a production of Kaufman and Hart's "The Man Who Came to Dinner". The production earns ART/WNY with another ARTIE nomination for "Best Ensemble" and Chris Standart, who plays the lead role of Sheridan Whiteside, receives an ARTIE nomination for "Best Actor".

ART/WNY concludes its third season with artistically successful productions of the original fulllength, “RED CLAY”, written by Matthew LaChiusa and directed by ARTIE Nominated Drew McCabe and in the 20th anniversary ceremony of the ARTIE Awards, Matthew LaChiusa wins the Emanuel Fried Outstanding New Play award for his work, “RED CLAY”. Christopher Standart also receives his fourth (ART related) nomination for his costume design.

The fourth season (2010–11) comes to both a successful artistic and financial end, as ART/WNY presents three out of four productions that are rated 3 stars by The Bufalo News.

ART/WNY opens it fifth season with the critically acclaimed production of Americana musical “Floyd Collins”. The production receives 3 1/2 stars from The Buffalo News and marks a significant moment in ART’s artistic history with a musical production. The work later receives an Artie Award for Best Ensemble as Jeffrey Coyle and Steven Copps win individual awards for Best Director and Best Actor in a Musical.

The sixth season brought ART/WNY to a new performance space at Bitter Hall (16 Linwwod Avenue) and historical debuts of “First Lady Suite” by accomplished American musical theater writer, Michael John LaChiusa. The production received a modest nomination for Best Ensemble and a Best Supporting Actress nomination going to Jackie Davis. Productions The Guys and Moonlight and Magnolias both receive 3 stars reviews from The Bufalo News

By the seventh season, ART/WNY established a name among both the theater and local community by sweeping the Artie Awards with their production of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” as the company won for Best Musical Production, Best Director and Best Male Actor in a Musical. An additional Emanuel Fried Outstanding New Play award went to Mark Humphrey for his work “Little Robert”. An additional three award nominations went to ART/WNY productions for Best Lights and Outstanding New Play on the original work “Shine” and Best Ensemble for “BBAJ”.

In the eighth season, ART/WNY saw all four productions "Picasso at Lapin Agile", “Hello Again”, "Rust Belt Grotesque", and “The Crucible” receive critical acclaim with the former 3 receiving 3+ star reviews and the latter receiving the company’s first 4-star rating from The Buffalo News.

Accomplishments and Collaborations

2009 Local Playwrights Showcase: Highlighted works of regional playwrights
2010 Lancaster Opera House: In collaboration with the LOH, ART/WNY produces “Greater Tuna” generating of the highest box-office revenue in company’s history
2011 Local Playwrights Showcase: Highlighted works of regional playwrights
2012 Young Playwrights Showcase: ART/WNY become one of the first regional theater companies to host a theatrical production on Buffalo’s Canalside in the historic ruins.
2012 Original Musical “The Dead English”: Collaboration between ART/WNY and local theater company Theatre Jugend to present an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”. Production received Artie Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Musical, Steve Copps and nomination for Emanuel Fried Outstanding New Play
2013 Young Playwrights Showcase: ART/WNY returned to Buffalo’s Canalside for this showcase featuring young talent. One of the playwrights, Emily Cutler, goes on to be published by the respected Samuel French Publishing House
2013 “Reindeer Monologs”-Fearless Players: Collaboration with this small suburban theater company in presenting a holiday production at ART/WNY’s performance space
2014 “Ophelia Thinks Harder”-Brazen Faced Varlets: Collaboration with this small theater company that focuses on works highlighting women playwrights and feminist issues. Production received 3 stars from The Bufalo News
2014 Comedy Improve Group: ART/WNY works with comedy improv instructor Nate Halloran in conducting classes on this improv form
2014 ART/WNY Literary Series: Working with Living Poets Society and Dog Ears Publishing, ART/WNY presents several evenings of poetry readings featuring local poets
2015 “Five Lesbians Eating A Quiche”-Fearless Players: In the second collaboration with this small suburban theater group, the production has sell-outs in every performance and receives critical acclaim
2015 Mardi Gras Poetry Showcase: As part of ART/WNY’s annual fundraising program, the company teams with a group of urban poets for a one-night presentation

Awards and Nominations

2007-08 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Nomination for Emanuel Fried Outstanding New Play, Axeman’s Jazz

2007-08 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Nomination for Best Ensemble of a Play, Rose Tattoo

2007-08 Artvoice's Best of Buffalo Nomination for Best Playwright, Matthew LaChiusa

2008-09 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Nomination for Best Ensemble of a Play, Man Who Came to Dinner

2008-09 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Play, Chris Standart, Man Who Came to Dinner

2008-09 Artvoice's Best of Buffalo Award for Best Actress, Kelly Ferguson, Man Who Came to Dinner

2008-09 Artvoice's Best of Buffalo Nomination for Best Playwright, Matthew LaChiusa

2009-10 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Award Nomination for Best Costume, RED CLAY, Christopher Standart

2009-10 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Award for Emanuel Fried Outstanding New Play, RED CLAY

2010-11 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actor, David Mitchell, Laughter on the 23rd Floor

2011-12 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Award For Best Ensemble of a Musical, Floyd Collins

2011-12 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Award For Best Director of Musical, Jeffrey Coyle, Floyd Collins

2011-12 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Award For Best Actor in Musical, Steve Copps, Floyd Collins

2011-12 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Award Nomination for Best Musical Production, Floyd Collins

2011-12 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Musical, JR Finan, Floyd Collins

2011-12 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Musical, Pam Mangus, Floyd Collins

2011-12 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Play, Stephan Bax, Killer Joe

2012-13 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Award Nomination for Best Support Actor in Musical, Jackie Davis, First Lady Suite

2012-13 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Award Nomination for Best Ensemble in Musical, First Lady Suite

2013-14 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Award For Best Musical Production, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson

2013-14 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Award For Best Director of a Musical, Jeffrey Coyle, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson

2013-14 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Award For Best Actor in a Musical, Steve Copps, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson

2013-14 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Award For Emanuel Fried Outstanding New Play, Mark Humphrey, Little Robert

2013-14 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Award Nomination for Emanuel Fried Outstanding New Play, Shine

2013-14 Buffalo Artvoice's Artie Award Nomination for Best Lighting Design, Shine

2014 Broadwayworld.com Best of Buffalo Nomination for Best Director, Drew McCabe

2014 Broadwayworld.com Best of Buffalo Nomination for Best Director, Matthew LaChiusa

2014 Broadwayworld.com Best of Buffalo Nomination for Best Director, Gail Golden

2014 Broadwayworld.com Best of Buffalo Nomination for Best Musical Director, Jeffrey Coyle

2014 Broadwayworld.com Best of Buffalo Nomination for Best Musical, BBAJ

2014 Broadwayworld.com Best of Buffalo Nomination for Best Musical, Hello Again

2014 Broadwayworld.com Best of Buffalo Nomination for Best Actress, Sara Marioles Mitch, The Crucible

2014 Broadwayworld.com Best of Buffalo Nomination for Best Musical Actress, Katy Miner, Hello Again

2014 Broadwayworld.com Best of Buffalo Nomination for Best Musical Actress, Shayna Raichilson, Hello Again

2014 Broadwayworld.com Best of Buffalo Nomination Best Actor, Thomas LaChiusa, The Crucible

2014 Broadwayworld.com Best of Buffalo Nomination Best Actor, Robert Insana, Little Robert

2014 Broadwayworld.com Best of Buffalo Award for Best Production, The Crucible

2014 Broadwayworld.com Best of Buffalo Award for Best Actor, Christopher Standard, The Crucible

2014 Broadwayworld.com Best of Buffalo Award for Best Actress, Lisa Vitrano, The Crucible

2014-15 Artie Award Nomination for Best Ensemble in a Musical, Hello Again

2014-15 Artie Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical, Katy Miner, Hello Again

2014-15 Artie Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Play, Christopher Standart, The Crucible

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