We believe that theater can make a difference. Through theater we strive to challenge racism, sexism and intolerance. Our plays aim to be joyful and entertaining experiences that take our audiences, often children, to the historic moments where individuals make hard decisions to stand on the side of what is right.
A group of students before a performance in Wilmington, DE
Our plays, rooted in American History, examine the choices we face in a complex world. In particular, our work focuses on the importance of Culture and Community. Our artists, expert in traditional modes of music and storytelling, strive to inspire the next generation.
HISTORY
MAD RIVER THEATER WORKS WAS FOUNDED IN 1978 AS "LITTLE MIAMI THEATER WORKS." FROM 1978 TO 1988, WE BUILT OUR REPUTATION WITH ORIGINAL PLAYS BASED ON OHIO HISTORY, TOURING THROUGHOUT OHIO REACHING AUDIENCES THROUGH LOCAL ARTS COUNCILS AND SCHOOLS. IN 1988, WE CHANGED OUR NAME TO MAD RIVER THEATER WORKS IN ORDER TO CLARIFY THAT OUR PLAYS WERE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. WE STARTED A SUMMER SEASON IN A TENT NEAR THE SMALL VILLAGE OF WEST LIBERTY THAT SAME YEAR.
OUR HOME SEASON ATTRACTED A CROSS-SECTION OF OUR COMMUNITY. PREMIERES INCLUDED FREEDOM BOUND, JOHN HENRY, AND EVELYN AND THE POLKA KING, WHICH WAS LATER STAGED AT THE ACTORS THEATRE OF LOUISVILLE HUMANA FESTIVAL IN 1992. THE HOME SEASON, THOUGH ARTISTICALLY SATISFYING, WAS NOT FINANCIALLY VIABLE AND WAS DISCONTINUED IN 1993. THE COMPANY EXPANDED ITS PERFORMANCE CALENDAR WITH THE ADDITION OF TOURS THROUGHOUT THE U.S. AND THE COMBINATION OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL TOURING IS STILL THE BACKBONE OF OUR PROGRAMMING. IN OUR 40-YEAR HISTORY WE HAVE CREATED MORE THAN 30 ORIGINAL PLAYS, ALL OF WHICH ARE COMPANY-DERIVED.
FOR THE PAST TWO DECADES, WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH BAYLIN ARTISTS MANAGEMENT AND NOW ALLIANCE ARTS MANAGEMENT TO TOUR OUR WORK NATIONALLY, REACHING AN ANNUAL AUDIENCE OF OVER 90,000 PEOPLE. THE COMPANY ALSO CONDUCTS EDUCATIONAL RESIDENCIES IN SCHOOLS AND LEARNING CENTERS.