| Playwrights Theatre Club | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Sketch comedy Improvisation |
| Date of premiere | 1953 |
| Location | Chicago,Illinois, United States |
| Creative team | |
| Co-founder | Paul Sills |
| Co-founder | David Shepherd |
| Co-founder | Eugene Troobnick |
The Playwright's Theatre Club was founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1953 byPaul Sills,David Shepherd and Eugene Troobnick. The theatre was noted for its original treatment and productions of classic plays as well as premiering original works, and was credited for the creation ofThe Compass Players andThe Second City.[1]
In 1953 Paul Sills, David Shepherd, and Eugene Troobnick founded the Playwrights Theatre Club inChicago.[2] The theatre was noted for its bohemian treatment of classic plays as well as presenting and premiering original works.[3]
The theatre's first known production wasBertolt Brecht's "The Caucasian Chalk Circle." In only two years, the company presented close to 30 full productions. During the rehearsal period, the company members engaged in numerous improvisational theater games that were originally created by Sills' mother,Viola Spolin.[4]
The Playwright's Theatre Club led to the creation of theCompass Players and later The Second City.[1][3][4]
In 1955, the Playwrights Theatre Club was later renamed the Compass Players, concentrating on improvisational theater. Also founded by Shepherd and Sills, the Compass Players was the forerunner ofThe Second City.[5] Compass launched the careers ofMike Nichols,Elaine May,Jerry Stiller,Alan Alda,Alan Arkin,Barbara Harris, andShelley Berman (to name a few) and started a revolution in the entertainment industry.[6][7]
Other members and participants of the Playwrights Theatre Club includedElaine May,Sheldon Patinkin,Rolf Forsberg,Mike Nichols,Joyce Piven,Josephine Forsberg,Ed Asner,[8]Barbara Harris, among others.[3]
