Summer Theatre Lab

Since its inception in 2004, the WILLIAMS COLLEGE SUMMER THEATRE LAB has served as an opportunity for current Williams students, as well as returning Alumni professionals, to work in a theatrical environment free from commercial and critical pressures. The Lab’s goal is to nurture theatrical projects that foster creative experimentation, artistic risk taking, and the collaborative process. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Kevin O’Rourke ’78, the Lab has produced over 30 theatrical works involving over 60 undergraduates and 40 visiting alumni. These projects have included staged readings of student work, the first presentation of a new one-man show starring Gordon Clapp ’71, a new musical in development from Michael Winther ’85, new plays from Adam LeFevre ‘72 and Jay Tarses ’61, and the 2007 Williamstown Theatre Festival/Summer Theatre Lab collaborative production of Friedrich Durrenmatt’s THE PHYSICISTS starring Roger Rees and John Feltch ’80. The Lab also serves as an opportunity for Williams undergraduates to train with working professionals from the alumni community. These workshops and master classes have included Voice and Text, Song Workshop, Playwriting, Video Workshop, Viewpoints Training, Clown, Mask, and Scene Study.