OUR MISSION
The Wild Rumpus Theater Development Group (TWR) creates and nurtures a diverse community
of professional artists and managers dedicated to the invention of original pieces of theatrical entertainment and reinventions of existing scripts in an environment that is patient, generous,
and lively while following a process that is product-oriented, rigorous and disciplined. Our goal
is to create fully-developed scripts and stagings that may be presented to producing partners
for a future life on either the commercial or professional nonprofit stage.
ABOUT THE WILD RUMPUS
The Wild Rumpus Theater Development Group (TWR) is a not-for-profit New York based ensemble of professional artists and managers. Led by Artistic Director Steve Wargo, TWR is dedicated to the
long-form invention and development of new pieces of theatrical entertainment in an environment that is patient, generous, and lively while following a process that is product-oriented, rigorous and disciplined.
Through our 8-Step Incubation Process, our works can come to life without the typical constraints and pressures of production deadlines, limited rehearsal periods, and heavy financial restrictions and obligations. TWR's process allows company artists to apply their unique skills to a wide variety of live theatrical genres and styles via workshops of various lengths (several weeks to several months) and invites the general public to view our process and progress at frequent, regular intervals.
Of high importance is the opportunity for our playwrights and composers to see and hear their work, and make changes as necessary, in an environment that encourages constant collaboration. Each piece is evaluated for artistic quality before moving from private workshops to public readings. If the piece does not meet certain artistic markers, our artists will continue to workshop the play until those standards are met, or until the company decides to redirect its resources to other projects.
Directly benefited by the organization’s work are theater artists (playwrights, composers, directors, choreographers, actors, designers). They are given a work environment in which to experiment and develop their craft, as well as an active network with other professional artists, all with the expectation that their work with TWR will provide them with greater skill sets, a more diverse network of artistic colleagues and an opportunity to present their best work to their industry peers.
Also benefiting are theatergoers and students, who have the opportunity to observe the developmental stages and growth of a theatrical work and to speak directly with and learn from theatre artists to afford a greater appreciation and respect for the process and craft of playmaking.