PLAYWORKS
We are a Seattle-based professional theatre company founded in 1985. We tour throughout the Pacific Northwest as well as nationally.
David Klein
David grew up in New York City, a place where being in the theater seems as natural as any other profession. His first professional job was in 1969, at the Woodstock Peace and Love Festival, chanting "Om" on stage behind Swami Satchidinanda. He has since gone on to lots more interesting things - acting and directing in experimental theatre in Boston in the 70's, and in the early 80's in Vermont running a touring children's theater which specialized in showing how anybody could play any part. He fondly remembers a production of Jack and the Beanstalk where a woman played Jack and he played both Jack's mom and the Giant's wife, turning the mother's apron into the wife's bonnet for his costume change.
He's been in Seattle since 1985 and has performed in most of the major Seattle theaters, including ACT, Seattle Rep, Intiman, Seattle Children's Theater, Seattle Shakespeare Company and Book-It. He joined Ruth, Annie and Paul in PLAYWORKS in 1986 and has been in most PLAYWORKS shows since then.
He's been in Seattle since 1985 and has performed in most of the major Seattle theaters, including ACT, Seattle Rep, Intiman, Seattle Children's Theater, Seattle Shakespeare Company and Book-It. He joined Ruth, Annie and Paul in PLAYWORKS in 1986 and has been in most PLAYWORKS shows since then.
Ruth McRee
I can't say if it was in the basement, the attic, or on the front porch, but I was four years old and belting a song my father taught me to back-to-the-parsonage company, after church. The song was "Pistol Packin' Mama"! It was the first time people laughed and applauded like that for one of my performances. That was the start.
Later, I discovered several things: that I could say important things to people through plays, that theatre contains worlds-within-worlds to be explored, and that the process of working together to create meaning through theatre, often feels like play!
Now, with my grown-up concerns for social justice, peace and education, I sometimes think I should be doing more than I do to directly address these issues. But, having come this far, I trust that what I love to do through drama and through working as a Teaching Artist will somehow contribute to shaping thoughtful, caring people for time to come.
I love living in Seattle with my husband, having three of our four grown children in this area - and working with PLAYWORKS.
Later, I discovered several things: that I could say important things to people through plays, that theatre contains worlds-within-worlds to be explored, and that the process of working together to create meaning through theatre, often feels like play!
Now, with my grown-up concerns for social justice, peace and education, I sometimes think I should be doing more than I do to directly address these issues. But, having come this far, I trust that what I love to do through drama and through working as a Teaching Artist will somehow contribute to shaping thoughtful, caring people for time to come.
I love living in Seattle with my husband, having three of our four grown children in this area - and working with PLAYWORKS.
Paul O'Connell
Paul, as one of eight children, had plenty of opportunity to seek attention in his early years. He has converted that impulse into a passionate love of the theatre and its power to engage an audience in a civil consideration of life's values. A founding member of PLAYWORKS, he has been active in professional theatre for over 40 years.
After receiving a Master's degree in theatre from Catholic University in Washington D.C. in 1970, he taught and produced theatre in college theatre programs until completing his doctoral studies in theatre in 1980. An administrative leader in many arts organizations, he has also directed shows in Seattle for the renowned Group Theatre, Theatre 9/12, the Northwest Asian Theatre and PLAYWORKS.
He has directed for theatres in Oregon, Texas and Illinois and is an award winning director and grant recipient for several innovative arts-program designs. He was most recently the General Manager for The Playwrights' Center in Minneapolis, the best supported playwright development organization in the country.
He has returned to the Northwest to be with his two daughters and four grand daughters and much prefers the mists of Seattle to the winters of Minnesota.
After receiving a Master's degree in theatre from Catholic University in Washington D.C. in 1970, he taught and produced theatre in college theatre programs until completing his doctoral studies in theatre in 1980. An administrative leader in many arts organizations, he has also directed shows in Seattle for the renowned Group Theatre, Theatre 9/12, the Northwest Asian Theatre and PLAYWORKS.
He has directed for theatres in Oregon, Texas and Illinois and is an award winning director and grant recipient for several innovative arts-program designs. He was most recently the General Manager for The Playwrights' Center in Minneapolis, the best supported playwright development organization in the country.
He has returned to the Northwest to be with his two daughters and four grand daughters and much prefers the mists of Seattle to the winters of Minnesota.
Anne Ludlum
My definition of a theatrical event: the connecting of audience members and performers as they share each other's attention, knowledge and inspiration.
I've worked in theatre professionally as an actor, teacher, director and most recently as a playwright. I love knowing that three of my plays are published and are being produced in theatres across the country. And I get a kick out of meeting someone who says, "Oh, I saw you in that Book-It play," or "Weren't you running the beauty parlor in that late night movie last month?" But my best time is when I come together with colleagues to create a new theatrical piece.
I've lived in Cuba, Portugal, Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador and Spain, on the East Coast of the United States and in California; I've held non-thearical jobs as an NPR commentator and producer, journalist, librarian and book store clerk. I believe that those experiences inform me and enable me to contribute to the always challenging and original projects PLAYWORKS undertakes.
I've worked in theatre professionally as an actor, teacher, director and most recently as a playwright. I love knowing that three of my plays are published and are being produced in theatres across the country. And I get a kick out of meeting someone who says, "Oh, I saw you in that Book-It play," or "Weren't you running the beauty parlor in that late night movie last month?" But my best time is when I come together with colleagues to create a new theatrical piece.
I've lived in Cuba, Portugal, Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador and Spain, on the East Coast of the United States and in California; I've held non-thearical jobs as an NPR commentator and producer, journalist, librarian and book store clerk. I believe that those experiences inform me and enable me to contribute to the always challenging and original projects PLAYWORKS undertakes.