Elevator Repair Service

Elevator Repair Service is a New York City-based theatre company founded in 1991 by John Collins, Steve Bodow, and Pete Simpson. The company is known for its unique approach to theatre, often incorporating elements of dance, music, and visual art into its productions, as seen in the works of Robert Wilson, Philip Glass, and Laurie Anderson. Elevator Repair Service has collaborated with various artists, including Trisha Brown, John Cage, and Merce Cunningham, and has performed at renowned venues such as the Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Public Theater, and the Walker Art Center. The company's work has been influenced by the Avant-garde movement, as well as the Dada and Surrealist art movements, which were pioneered by artists like Marcel Duchamp, Salvador Dalí, and André Breton.

● History

Elevator Repair Service was founded in 1991 by John Collins, Steve Bodow, and Pete Simpson, with the goal of creating innovative and experimental theatre productions. The company's early work was influenced by the Off-Off-Broadway movement, which emerged in the 1960s and included artists like Sam Shepard, Lanford Wilson, and Jean-Claude van Itallie. Elevator Repair Service's first production, "The Shooting Stage", was performed at the Knitting Factory in New York City and featured a cast of actors, including David Herskovits and Greig Sargeant. The company's subsequent productions, such as "Room Tone" and "Cab Legs", were performed at various venues, including the Dance Theater Workshop and the P.S. 122.

● Company Overview

Elevator Repair Service is a non-profit theatre company that operates under the direction of John Collins. The company is composed of a core group of artists, including Katherine Profeta, Vincent McCaffrey, and Ben Williams, who collaborate on the development and production of new works. Elevator Repair Service has received funding from various organizations, including the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the Jerome Foundation, which have supported the company's productions and artistic initiatives. The company has also partnered with other theatre companies, such as the Wooster Group and the Ridge Theater, to co-produce and tour productions, including works by Richard Foreman and Elizabeth LeCompte.

● Notable Productions

Elevator Repair Service has produced a wide range of notable works, including "Gatz", a six-hour adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby", which premiered at the Walker Art Center in 2006 and featured a cast of actors, including Scott Shepherd and Laurena Allan. The company's production of "The Sound and the Fury" was a critically acclaimed adaptation of William Faulkner's novel, which premiered at the New York Theatre Workshop in 2008 and featured a cast of actors, including Greig Sargeant and Katherine Profeta. Other notable productions include "Arguendo", a play based on the Supreme Court of the United States case Arguendo v. United States, and "Fondly, Collette Richland", a play inspired by the works of Eugene Ionesco and Samuel Beckett.

● Artistic Style

Elevator Repair Service's artistic style is characterized by its use of experimental and innovative techniques, often incorporating elements of dance, music, and visual art into its productions. The company's productions often feature complex sets and costumes, designed by artists like Jim Findlay and Kay Voyce, and have been influenced by the works of Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, and Andy Warhol. Elevator Repair Service's use of sound design and lighting design is also a key element of its artistic style, with designers like Matt Tierney and Ben Williams creating complex and immersive environments for the company's productions. The company's artistic style has been compared to that of other experimental theatre companies, such as the Theatre of the Ridiculous and the Living Theatre, which were founded by artists like John Vaccaro and Judith Malina.

● Awards and Recognition

Elevator Repair Service has received numerous awards and nominations for its productions, including several Obie Awards and Bessie Awards. The company's production of "Gatz" was awarded the Obie Award for Best Production in 2006, and the company's production of "The Sound and the Fury" was nominated for a Drama Desk Award in 2009. Elevator Repair Service has also received funding and support from various organizations, including the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts, which have recognized the company's contributions to the field of experimental theatre. The company's artistic director, John Collins, has been recognized for his contributions to the field of theatre, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Fellowship for Theater at the New York Public Library.

● Touring and Performance

Elevator Repair Service has toured its productions to various venues around the world, including the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the The Public Theater, and the Walker Art Center. The company has also performed at international festivals, such as the Avignon Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and has collaborated with other theatre companies and artists, including the Wooster Group and Elizabeth LeCompte. Elevator Repair Service's productions have been well-received by audiences and critics alike, with many praising the company's innovative and experimental approach to theatre. The company's touring schedule has included performances at venues like the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and the American Repertory Theater, and has been supported by organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.