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Foundation of the Thresholds Theatre Arts Project
In 1988, Betsey Ingram, of New Crime Productions, initiated a collaborative effort between Thresholds and Chicago theaters to create meaningful vocational, social and artistic opportunities for its members. The U.S. Department of Education gave the Thresholds Theatre Arts Project a three-year grant in 1989 to partner artistically and administratively with respected Chicago theaters such as Blue Rider, Body Politic, Live Bait, Piven, A Red Orchid Theatre, Victory Gardens and Steppenwolf. Classes and workshops took place, apprenticeships were created and on July 13, 1991, the curtain opened on the project's premiere production entitled, Crowd and I Was So Far Behind I Thought I Was First, based on the poetry, music, and stories of the Thresholds members. Steve Pink, writer of the hit movie High Fidelity and well-known Chicago performance artist Donna Blue Lachman served as directors of this inaugural production.
Over the past 12 years, the Theatre Arts Project has tackled many presentational styles, explored a vast array of artistic themes, and thrived under the direction of such visionaries as Larry Grimm, who incorporated the use of Story Theatre and reintroduced the Artist-in-Residency program to the project. Performance runs have ranged in length from one evening to the current season's 8 evening offering and have played to both intimate audiences of 25 and crowds of 200.
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Current Program
As the project exists today, our ensemble gathers under the direction of two of Chicago's professional artists, Marti Szalai-Raymond (Artistic Director) and Kirsten Fitzgerald (Managing Director). Our task is to create a show based on the personal stories of both the members of our ensemble as well as those of the larger Thresholds and mental health community. This being a year of huge growth for us as a project, we will produce two shows and hope to explore taking the show on the road to area schools and community centers.
Using theatre games, improvisation, physical image work, art and writing exercises, the cast starts from scratch and builds a cohesive performance. Poetry, original music, group chorales, improvisational moments and story theatre pieces create the backdrop for exploring the experiences of our actors. Our work is influenced by many artists, educators and disciplines, in particular - Augusto Boal, Michael Rohd, Playback Theatre, and Interplay.
The project is settling into its new home at The Young Adult Program, 4219 N Lincoln. Newcomers groups have been started with the hope of growing the ensemble, and members of the Thresholds community at large are encouraged to participate both as ensemble members and through the submission of writing and artwork. Each year Artists-in-Residence from the larger Chicago theatrical community help round out the company by serving as mentors to the group. Through it all, the essence remains the same - to create a safe space for our artists where risks can be taken, community and trust can be built, and personal stories can be shared, witnessed, and ultimately transformed into theatre that can be shared with you, our audience.
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