Electric Theatre Company facts for kids

The Electric Theatre Company was a special theater group in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It was a non-profit company, meaning it didn't try to make money for owners. It was also a professional theater where actors were paid fairly. This company brought many exciting plays and learning programs to the Scranton area for almost 20 years.

History of the Electric Theatre Company

The theater company started in 1992. Its first name was The Northeastern Theatre Ensemble. Zeve Ben Dov founded this group. They performed in Scranton, Pennsylvania for eight years. After that, they moved to Keystone College for four years.

New Leadership and Name Change

In 2001, David Zarko became the artistic leader. He guided the company until it closed in 2011. The theater moved back to downtown Scranton in 2005. In 2008, it officially changed its name to the Electric Theatre Company.

The Jermyn Hotel Home

From 2005 until 2011, the company performed in the old Hotel Jermyn. They turned the hotel's main ballroom into a special theater space. This space was called a "black box theater." It could seat between 99 and 130 people. It was flexible, meaning they could change the stage and seating layout for different plays. The building also had "The Ballroom," used for parties, workshops, and classes.

Why the Company Closed

The Electric Theatre Company closed in June 2011. It officially stopped operating the next year. This happened because they had trouble getting enough money to keep going. Even though more people came to see their shows and more people donated, the total amount of money they received was not enough to keep the theater open.

Exciting Performances and Shows

The Electric Theatre Company put on many different shows each year. They usually had between five and twelve main plays from September to May. They also had a special series called Acting Alone. This series featured plays with only one actor.

New Plays and Radio Shows

The company often showed brand new plays that had never been performed before. These were called "world premieres." Famous writers like Mark Medoff and Nancy Hasty had their new plays shown here. They also performed the first professional show outside of New York City of a popular play called Almost, Maine. Another fun project was their regular series of radio plays. These were called Lackawanna Rails and were like old-time radio shows.

Learning and Training Programs

The Electric Theatre Company also had many educational programs. These programs helped people learn about theater and acting. They offered training for actors and directors, and even a program to study theater in Italy!

Griffin Conservatory

The Griffin Conservatory offered professional acting training. Mary Ethel Schmidt and David Zarko created this program. It had intensive workshops from January through July.

Out on a Limb

Out on a Limb was a theater lab. It was part of the Griffin Conservatory. Mary Ethel Schmidt created and ran this program. It was a new experiment every third Monday of the month.

In Bocca al Lupo

In Bocca al Lupo was a special three-week program. Students learned about commedia dell'arte, which is an old Italian type of comedy theater. They also learned Italian language and culture. This program took place in Orvieto, Italy, and nearby towns. It worked with Italian partners and masters. This program has continued on its own even after the company closed.

Other Educational Projects

• The Portal Projects: This was a team-up between the theater and Marywood University. It combined professional theater with education.
• The Plays the Thing: This program offered special daytime shows, free tickets, and online study guides. It was for middle and high school students.
• ZipZapZop: This program was part of Lackawanna County's ArtsENGAGE! It offered theater arts training to high school students. It tried to include both general students and those who might be facing challenges. Nancy Hasty and Mary Ethel Schmidt created and ran this program.