The Acting Company has undertaken one of the most exciting projects of its more than thirty year history. Beginning with the 2000-2001 season the company began presenting new plays based on great works of American fiction. These original plays combine the talents of some of America’s most beloved authors with those of celebrated contemporary dramatists. The series began with an original adaptation of Willa Cather's O Pioneers! and Mark Twain’s Pudd’nhead Wilson, adapted by African-American playwright Charles Smith.  The series continued with a new script adapted from Studs Terkel's American Dreams: Lost and Found, for the 2002-2003 season.  Murder By Poe, written by Jeffrey Hatcher was part of the 2003-2004 season. Mr. Hatcher's adaptation of Shirley Jackson's The Lottery, one of the most famous and popular American short story will round out the 2005-06 season. Our Commissioned adaptation of Carson McCullers' The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter played 5 weeks in Atlanta prior to a tour of southern cities. A New York production is planned for next season.

Presenting new classics serves a dual purpose: to develop new plays based on great American fiction by commissioning adaptations from some of our best living playwrights, and to present those plays to students all across America during The Acting Company's tour, exposing young minds to both the transforming power of theater and the literary heritage of our last century.

Use the links below to find more information on these new plays:

New Classics: Part One, O Pioneers!
New Classics: Part Two, Pudd’nhead Wilson
New Classics: Part Three, American Dreams: Lost and Found
New Classics: Part Four, Murder By Poe
New Classics: Part Five, The Lottery