@dramatistsguild @TeresaCWash

Often times I wonder how theatre companies come up with their name. Amphibian Stage Productions in Ft. Worth, Texas was the object of my curiosity here recently. A colleague suggested the idea might have come from the process of metamorphosis of a tadpole to a frog, a brilliant concept indicative of Amphibian’s Artistic Director and Co-Founder Kathleen Anderson Culebro.

Amphibian Stage Productions (www.amphibianproductions.org) was founded in 2000 by three Texas Christian University alumni who saw a need for innovative and engaging works of theater that challenge the way we see the world around us. During their formative years, the theatre produced work at TCU and in New York before focusing on becoming a nationally-recognized regional theater. In 2005, the company formed a partnership with the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth to introduce a reading series and began producing work year-round. Amphibian has staged many regional, national and world premieres by emerging playwrights and provides innovative outreach programs to thousands of underserved communities throughout Tarrant County including homeless shelters. In 2012, Culebro led the renovations for their new home in the Near Southside at 120 S. Main Street just minutes from two other prominent theatres companies. The 2015 season includes four mainstage productions, one of which is the world premiere of France From A Roman Hill penned by Culebro, and three staged readings, each written by Dramatists Guild members. By the way, Amphibian only accepts submissions from DG members, locally and throughout the country.

I marvel at theatre companies led by playwrights especially those who survived the economic downturn. The unique ability to deliver cutting-edge new plays to a consistent paying audience requires an ingenuity and skillset that many industry professionals don’t easily fathom or appreciate. Amphibian’s new theatre home is located in close proximity to two established theatre companies, Stage West and Jubilee Theatre, both with regional and national prominence however each one caters to a specific audience. Stage West is highly respected for their renditions of contemporary Broadway musicals and classis plays while Jubilee Theatre produces works that reflect the African-American experience. Collaborations and key relationships are paramount, a fact that Culebro clearly understands as is evidence by Jubilee Theatre’s listing in the acknowledgement section of Amphibian’s holiday playbill. I also noticed a friendly competition on YouTube with Stage West during last year’s North Texas Giving Day. All three theatres have been able to not only exist but also thrive in Ft. Worth for decades no doubt through their collaborative efforts. The last show I attended at Amphibian was Fully Committed by Becky Mode, which received a staged reading at Amphibian’s 2005 `Phibs at the Modern Reading Series. The show returned in October of last year after a New York run for a professional production, a testament to Culebro’s dedication to foster new playwrights and ability to attract, cultivate, and retain new talent.

One of the nicest things about living in Dallas is being within a 40 mile radius of two cultural destinations. On any given weekend you can always get your cultural fix in the DFW area and in Ft. Worth, every single show I attended last year generously provided complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a full bar well after opening night performances - just my kind of party.

twash@dramatistsguild.com

Photo: (above) Kathleen A. Culebro. Photographer: Daylon Walton