The Wooster Group is an experimental theater company based in New York City known for creating numerous original dramatic works. It gradually emerged from Richard Schechner's The Performance Group (1967–1980) during the period from 1975 to 1980. The group took its name in 1980; the independent productions of 1975–1980 are retroactively attributed to the group.
The ensemble is directed by Elizabeth LeCompte and it launched the careers of many actors including founding member Willem Dafoe. The group's home is the Performing Garage at 33 Wooster Street between Grand and Broome Streets in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan. As of 2014, the company consists of 16 members. In addition, there are 29 "Associates".
Past collaborators with the group include Ken Kobland, Jim Strahs, Richard Foreman, Trisha Brown, John Lurie, Bruce Odland, Jennifer Tipton, Frances McDormand, Hans Peter Kuhn, and Amir ElSaffar among others.
Founding members
Source:
- Elizabeth LeCompte
- Jim Clayburgh
- Kate Valk
- Peyton Smith
- Ron Vawter (d. 1994)
- Spalding Gray (d. 2004)
- Willem Dafoe
Current company
Source:
Further reading
- Quick, Andrew. The Wooster Group Workbook, London: Routledge, 2007.
- Savran, David. Breaking the Rules: The Wooster Group. New York: Theatre Communications Group, 1990.