What an incredible year we’ve had! We are deeply grateful to our friends, collaborators, audience members, and donors, who helped us usher forward the invigorating work of 2011, our first three-show mainstage season. The year’s successes began with the scathingly powerful Songs of the Dragons Flying to Heaven by Young Jean Lee (co-produced with Asian American Theatre), followed by the Rolling World Premiere of the hilarious revenge comedy Exit, Pursued By A Bear by Lauren Gunderson (in partnership with Synchronicity in Atlanta and ArtsWest in Seattle), and ending with the World Premiere of the adventurous multimedia Sticky Time by Marilee Talkington (co-produced with Vanguardian Productions). Crowded Fire was also nominated in four categories for the 2011 Broadway World San Francisco awards and SF Weekly described CFT as “a feisty company specializing in difficult, subversive works by emerging playwrights.”
As I look back over this season—my third as Artistic Director—I am deeply proud of our accomplishments and growth. We’ve had the chutzpah to build a three-show season, championing the voices of three inspiring female playwrights. This year we’ve completely paid down our debt, and we’ve increased our budget to provide the resources necessary both to champion ambitious, muscular work, and to provide a meaningful home for these playwrights and artists. YOU have made this possible, as collaborators, patrons, and donors, and we are immensely thankful. In order to maintain our health and sustain this growth, come be a part of the glorious new play team by donating now! Every dollar is meaningful, and we hope you’ll add Crowded Fire to your end of the year giving at any level.
Your donations today will propel us forward into our ambitious three-show 2012 season of plays featuring three brilliant playwrights from the Bay Area and beyond, as well as our 2012 Matchbox Reading Series, featuring the work of four vital, edgy playwrights. Stay tuned for our sexy season announcement in January…
It’s been a joyful treat getting to know our own richly diverse audience over the last two seasons. You are a tremendous bunch—intelligent, creative, and always looking for adventure. YOU are a crucial part of what makes this journey possible. Thank you for your support and your inspiration. I hope you’ll consider giving a year-end donation in celebration of creating powerful work together.
I wish you a happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you at the theater in 2012!
Marissa Wolf
CFT Artistic Director
