Electric Theatre Company facts for kids

The Electric Theatre Company was a special theatre group in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It was a professional company, meaning actors and staff were paid for their work. The company started in 1992 as The Northeastern Theatre Ensemble. It was founded by Zeve Ben Dov.

The theatre first performed in Scranton for eight years. Then, it moved to Keystone College for four years. In 2001, David Zarko became the artistic leader. He stayed in this role until the company's last season in 2011.

In 2005, the theatre moved back to downtown Scranton. It started using the name Electric Theatre Company in the 2008-2009 season. From 2005 until it closed in 2011, it performed in an old hotel ballroom. This space was turned into a flexible theatre with 99 to 130 seats. The building also had "The Ballroom," used for parties, workshops, and classes. The Electric Theatre Company closed in June 2011. It officially ended because it became hard to get enough money to keep it going.

What They Did

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

New Plays and Special Shows

The company often showed brand new plays for the first time. These were called world premieres. They featured works by writers like Mark Medoff and Nancy Hasty. They also created unique shows with a group called Zuppa del Giorno.

Another important show was Almost, Maine by John Cariani. This was the first time it was performed professionally outside of New York City. The company also had a regular series of radio plays called Lackawanna Rails. These were directed and edited by Don Wildman.

The People Behind the Scenes

The theatre had a team of four to six full-time staff members. They also had many part-time workers and a core group of volunteers. The actors and artists came from the local area, New York City, Philadelphia, California, and even other countries. The theatre was a professional "Equity" house. This means it followed rules set by the Actors' Equity Association, a union for actors and stage managers.

Learning Programs

The Electric Theatre Company also had many programs to help people learn about theatre.

• Griffin Conservatory: This program offered professional training for actors and directors. It was created by Mary Ethel Schmidt and David Zarko. They held special classes and workshops from January to July.
• Out on a Limb: This was a theatre lab for the Griffin Conservatory. It was run by Mary Ethel Schmidt. They tried new theatre experiments every third Monday of the month.
• In Bocca al Lupo: This was a three-week program in Italy. Students learned about commedia dell'arte (a type of Italian comedy theatre) and the Italian language and culture. It took place in Orvieto and nearby towns. This program worked with partners in Italy and ETC's own commedia group, Zuppa del Giorno. This program has continued on its own even after the company closed.
• The Portal Projects: This was a special project that brought together professionals and students from Marywood University.
• The Plays the Thing: This program offered special daytime shows, free tickets, and online study guides for middle and high school students.
• ZipZapZop: This program was part of Lackawanna County's ArtsENGAGE! It offered theatre training and exploration for high school students. It was created and run by Nancy Hasty and Mary Ethel Schmidt.