Wendy MacLeod Commissioned for A.C.T.-Aberdeen Performing Arts Youth Exchange Collaboration
(© David Gordon)
American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) Young Conservatory is collaborating with Scotland’s Aberdeen Performing Arts Young Persons Company on a two-year summer international exchange program.
The program, which presents a co-commissioned work at the two theaters at the conclusion of each year, began in 2012 with Scottish playwright DC Jackson’s new work, [untitled] Reality Project, which was created to be performed by young actors ages 16–25. Students from the YC traveled to Aberdeen for two weeks of acting and cultural immersion, with the American company presenting a rehearsed staged reading at the conclusion of the two weeks. During the 2012–13 season, both companies will present a fully-staged version in their respective theaters.
For the program’s second year, the two companies will co-commission American playwright Wendy MacLeod to create a new work. During the summer, the APA Young Persons Company will travel to San Francisco for two weeks, to participate in intensive classes as part of A.C.T.’s Summer Session and work on the play. At the conclusion, the new work will be presented by the APA Young Persons Company in a rehearsed staged reading, and both companies will present the creation during the 2013–14 season.
