A few years ago an actor friend invited me to a play reading in which a small audience of theater professionals gave the playwright a critique of his work. I found the experience exhilarating. It motivated me to become a part of the theatrical world myself, acting and directing Off-Off Broadway with some success (awarded the 1997-98 Jean Dalrymple Award for Best New Director). With my business background it was inevitable that I would turn to producing, and I hoped to do something new and creative in the bargain. That first play reading remained in the back of my mind as I formulated the idea of Animated Theaterworks, Inc.

As conceived, Animated Theaterworks is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) production company with two related aims: the first is to help playwrights improve their works through feedback from the theatergoing public; the second is to help the theatergoing audience understand the process of play development and thereby have a greater appreciation of new works. I call this approach an InterActive Play Development Program. Through this program audience discussion groups help shape a play by attending a series of readings and workshops, ending with an evaluation of a final showcase production. While reworking a play before members of the theater community is common, it is unusual for the general public to be a part of the process. But I believe that through communication between the author and the audience, links can be forged which enable both parties to benefit through an interesting and rewarding learning experience.