company history

CW

Central Works was founded in 1991 as an actor-driven ensemble concentrating on new plays and regional premieres. In 1997, the company’s primary focus shifted to the cultivation and use of the Central Works Method of collaborative play development, a process that brings artists together as full partners in a creative project, from conception to full production. Roux, our first Central Works Method play, was described by the East Bay Express as "...a taut, tense, intriguing scenario reminiscent of early Pinter or Albee." Since then, we have developed and produced over two dozen original plays utilizing the Central Works Method. We seek out thought-provoking topics, often targeting current events and literature, from Middle East turbulence in 'Lionheart; the last great crusade' (“…a powerful and gripping experience."-Lisa Drostova, East Bay Express) and ‘Enemy Combatant’ (“Gripping...a platform for the excellence of the cast and the director." -K. Bullock, Berkeley Daily Planet) to 'Dostoevsky’s The Grand Inquisitor' (“soul-scouring…compelling drama that probes themes about faith, compassion and expediency in our time”–Robert Hurwitt, SF Chronicle). Further literary adaptations include the Chekhov novella 'The Duel' (“Essentially a new Chekhov play…comic, wistful, scathingly ironic and deeply humane...”—ibid); 'Every Inch a King' about the daughters of King Lear, which used the classic play as its departure point, developing into an hilarious investigation of contemporary family dynamics and aging ("A sharp, dark comedy played with incisive intensity…” -Jack Tucker, Contra Costa Times); and the New York Times best-seller, 'Blessed Unrest' by Paul Hawken, (“The seamlessness of the production underscores the call for all of us to join the mysterious woman…and make the world a better place.” –M. Rhoades, SF Weekly); produced during the last election season, it offers a powerful message of hope echoing that of the campaign. For almost two decades now, we have continued to offer our community accessible, thought provoking and professional productions of new works.


Central Works: We Make Plays.


PRODUCTION HISTORY

(selected history of new works)
*asterisks mark collaboratively developed projects using the Central Works Method

  • *Feb-March 2010: An Anonymous Story by Anton Chekhov at the Berkeley City Club (written by Gary Graves, directed by Søren Oliver)
  • *Oct-Nov 2009: Blastosphere! at the Berkeley City Club (written by Aaron Loeb & Geetha Reddy, directed by Molly Aaronson-Gelb)
  • *Aug-Sept 2009: Machiavelli's The Prince at the Berkeley City Club (written & directed by Gary Graves)
  • March-April 2009: Misanthrope at the Berkeley City Club (written & directed by Gary Graves. Originally developed and produced in 2002, see below).
  • *Feb-March 2009: The Window Age; at the Berkeley City Club (written by Christopher Chen & directed by Gary Graves).
  • *June-July 2008: Paul Hawken’s Blessed Unrest; at the Berkeley City Club (adapted & directed by Gary Graves).
  • *June-July 2008: Midsummer/4; at the Berkeley City Club (written by Gary Graves & directed by Jan Zvaifler).
  • *Feb-March 2007: WAKEFIELD; or, Hello Sophia; at the Berkeley City Club (written by Brian Thorstenson & directed by Gary Graves).
  • Oct-Nov 2007: Every Inch a King at the Berkeley City Club (written & directed by Gary Graves. Originally developed and produced in 2002, see below).
  • *June-July 2007: Bird in the Hand; at the Berkeley City Club (written by Anne Galjour & directed by Ellen Sebastian Chang).
  • *Feb-March 2007: Lola Montez; at the Berkeley City Club (written & directed by Gary Graves).
  • Oct-Nov 2006: Andromache at the Berkeley City Club (written & directed by Gary Graves. Originally produced in 1994, see below).
  • *June-July 2006: The Inspector General; at the Berkeley City Club (written by Gary Graves & directed by Jan Zvaifler).
  • *Feb-March 2006: Shadow Crossing; at the Berkeley City Club (written by Brian Thorstenson & directed by Gary Graves).
  • *Oct-Nov 2005: Achilles & Patroklos; at the Berkeley City Club (written by Gary Graves & directed by Christopher Herold).
  • *May-July 2005: Dostoevsky’s The Grand Inquisitor; at Thick House & the Berkeley City Club (World Premiere written by Gary Graves & directed by Jan Zvaifler).
  • *Feb-March 2005: Enemy Combatant; at the Berkeley City Club (written & directed by Gary Graves).
  • Oct-Nov 2004: A Step Away; at the Berkeley City Club (written by Myrna Holden & directed by Gary Graves).
  • *July-August 2004: The Mysterious Mr. Looney; at the Berkeley City Club (written & directed by Gary Graves).
  • *Feb-March 2004: Chekhov’s THE DUEL; at the Berkeley City Club (written by Gary Graves & directed by Robert Weinapple).
  • *Oct-Nov 2003: Lionheart; the last great crusade at the Berkeley City Club (written by Gary Graves & directed by Jan Zvaifler).
  • *June-July 2003: The Wyrd Sisters at the Berkeley City Club (written by Gary Graves & directed by Jan Zvaifler).
  • Feb-March 2003: The Importance of Being Oscar at the Berkeley City Club (West Coast Premiere) in association with Wilde Irish Productions.
  • *Oct-Nov 2002: Misanthrope at the Berkeley City Club (written & directed by Gary Graves).
  • *July-Aug 2002: Mata Hari at the Berkeley City Club (written & directed by Gary Graves).
  • *Jan-Feb 2002: Every Inch a King at La Val's Subterranean in Berkeley (written by Gary Graves & directed by Jan Zvaifler).
  • *Feb-March 2001: Nightingale at La Val's Subterranean in Berkeley (written & directed by Gary Graves).
  • *July-Aug 2000: LOTTOMANIA: Play Here! at Durham Studio Theater (written & directed by Gary Graves).
  • *Feb 2000: The Taming of the Shrew-Revised at Venue 9 (written & directed by Gary Graves).
  • *June-July 1999: Pyrate Story at Jack London Square (written by Gary Graves & directed by Jan Zvaifler).
  • *July-Aug 1998: IRS-I Want You at the Santa Fe Bar & Grill (written & directed by Gary Graves).
  • *Aug 1997: Roux at the Berkeley City Club (written by Samantha King & directed by Gary Graves).
  • Sept 1996: Kafka’s Dick at the Berkeley City Club (West Coast Premiere directed by Søren Oliver).
  • July-Aug 1996: The Golden Era at the Berkeley City Club (World Premiere written & directed by Gary Graves).
  • July-Aug 1995: Two Precious Maidens Ridiculed and The Forced Marriage at the Berkeley City Club (directed by Michael Oostrum).
  • March-April 1995: Lone Star and Laundry & Bourbon at The 450 Geary Studio Theatre in San Francisco (directed by Søren Oliver).
  • May-June 1994: Andromache at St. John’s Church (World Premiere written & directed by Gary Graves)
  • Feb-March 1994: Halcyon Days at St. John’s (West Coast Premiere directed by Søren Oliver).
  • Feb-March 1993: Crimes in Hot Countries at St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Berkeley (U.S. Premiere).
  • Jan-Feb 1992: And Baby Makes Seven at La Val’s (N.California Regional Premiere directed by Audrey Heller).
  • Jan-Feb 1991: The Widow’s Blind Date at La Val’s (N.California Regional Premiere).
  • October 1990: Staged reading of Crimes in Hot Countries at La Val’s Subterranean in Berkeley.