The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center presents the National Theater Institute's Company Debut

The students of the National Theater Institute’s fall 2014 ensemble will showcase their talents and training with an original theatrical work. This Company Debut will be December 12 and 13 at 7:30pm at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s Waterford, CT campus.

For the first time since 1970, the Company Debut will include students of the National Music Theater Institute. The program, in its first year, integrated with the fall 2014 NTI semester and the fall 2014 NTI will present an original theatrical work exploring modern American myths through song, dance, and documentary theater in a remarkable evening of entertainment.

The Company Debut is a signature of the National Theater Institute’s training. Emerging artists are prompted with thematic material and must collaborate to write, compose, produce, cast, direct, design, choreograph, and perform an original production in under two weeks. It is the capstone of 14 weeks of rigorous training in a variety of disciplines including acting, directing, playwriting, design, movement, and voice. NTI students are currently enrolled in schools across the country, including Connecticut College, Sarah Lawrence College, Oberlin College, Vassar College, Drake University, Kenyon College, University of Tampa, Bowdoin College, University of Missouri, Hampshire College, Skidmore College, University of Kansas, Shenandoah University, Portland State University, and Furman University, among others.

Rachel Jett, Artistic Director of the National Theater Institute, remarked, “prompted by two recent NEW YORK TIMES articles: “Is Our Art Equal to the Challenges of Our Times” and “Evolution and the American Myth of the Individual”, the students have engaged in conversation with our times identifying personal, cultural, and mythic expectations. This multi-talented ensemble is exploring the myths of equality, happiness, prodigy, and falling in love through language, music, and dance. The Company Debut provides students the opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned at NTI; to work collaboratively as an ensemble; gain confidence in their skills; and astonish us with their talent, breadth of vision, and artistic bravery.”

NTI Company Debut performances are at 7:30pm on Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13. Both performances are free and open to the public.

For more information, please contact (860) 443-7139, email nti@theoneill.org, or visit www.theoneill.org/national-theater-institute.