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Life of Pi

Life of Pi

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Artistic Director’s Welcome

WELCOME TO LIFE OF PI

We are delighted that this Olivier Award-winning adaptation of Yann Martel’s 2001 novel is making its North American debut at the A.R.T. This production brings Pi’s journey to thrilling new life on stage with breathtaking design and awe-inspiring puppetry.

Whether you’re new to this story or a longtime fan (Martel’s novel was also adapted into a film by Ang Lee in 2012), Pi’s tale asks us to reflect deeply on the nature of storytelling. In keeping with the A.R.T.’s core value of Inquiry, our Education & Engagement teams develop programs around each show in conversation with an essential question. For Life of Pi, we ask “How does storytelling help us cope and survive?” We invite you to consider this question as you watch the show, and to read on in this program for additional opportunities to engage with the production.

It has been an immense pleasure to welcome Life of Pi’s creative team to the A.R.T., and to assemble this new company in Boston, where they have been immersed in the creative process of bringing this show to new life at the Loeb Drama Center. I’m thrilled to write that Adaptor Lolita Chakrabarti and Director Max Webster are making their A.R.T. debuts along with Scenic & Costume Designer Tim Hatley, Puppetry & Movement Director/Puppet Designer Finn Caldwell, and Puppet Designer Nick Barnes. Don’t miss the latest edition of the A.R.T. Guide for reflections from this fabulous creative team.

It’s truly a joy to share this powerful tale. Thank you for joining us on this theatrical adventure, and happy holidays!

Diane Paulus
Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director

American Repertory Theater
presents

Life of Pi

Creative Team

Produced by arrangement with Simon Friend, Daryl Roth, Hal Luftig, Mark Gordon Pictures, Playing Field, and Sheffield Theatres.
Additional Production Support is provided by Ann and Graham Gund, Janet and Irv Plotkin, and Sid Yog.
This production is supported, in part, by the Robert Brustein Endowment Fund for New Works.
Media Support of Life of Pi is provided by WBUR.
A.R.T. Season support is provided by Harvard University, The Barr Foundation, The Bob and Alison Murchison New Work Development Fund, The Shubert Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Bank of America, Barton & Guestier, Meyer Sound, and JetBlue.
Runtime: Two hours and fifteen minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.
This production includes strobe lighting, flashing lights, haze, and fog, and features depictions of perilous moments, including stylized violence.

Company

Cast (in Alphabetical Order)

Brian Thomas Abraham

Cook/​​Voice of Richard Parker

Brian Thomas Abraham

Brian Thomas Abraham

Cook/​​Voice of Richard Parker

Brian Thomas Abraham

(he/him/his) A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts 1 & 2 (original company, Hagrid). Regional: Mark Taper Forum, Geffen Playhouse, Berkshire Theatre Group, Milwaukee Rep, Laguna Playhouse, San Diego Rep. TV: “Super Pumped,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “The Shield,” “Drake and Josh,” “Victorious,” “As The World Turns” (recurring). Film: The Cut Up (by Yussef El Guindi), The HousewifeDefensive Justice. VR180: The Fortune Teller (Director, multiple Virtual Reality Film Festival selections; streams 2023). Training: University of North Carolina School of The Arts. BrianThomasAbraham.com

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Rajesh Bose

Father

Rajesh Bose

Rajesh Bose

Father

Rajesh Bose

(he/him/his) A.R.T.: Debut. Off-Broadway: Pygmalion, The Crucible, Persuasion, Bedlam; Henry VI, NAATCO; Indian Ink, Roundabout; Against the Hillside, EST. Regional: This Much I Know, Aurora; Oslo, St. Louis Rep; Mary Stuart, Folger; Guards at the Taj, Capital Stage; Invisible Hand, Westport Country Playhouse, TheaterWorks Hartford; The Who & The What, Gulfshore Playhouse,  TheaterWorks Hartford; Disgraced, Playmakers Rep, The Huntington, Long Wharf Theatre (Connecticut Critics Circle Award, IRNE Nomination). TV/Film: “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” “Bull,” “Quantico,” “Blue Bloods,” “Elementary,” “Damages,” Frozen River. Education: Emerson College.

 

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Nikki Calonge

Puppeteer

Nikki Calonge

Nikki Calonge

Puppeteer

Nikki Calonge

(she/her/hers/siya) A.R.T.: Debut. Off-Broadway: Psychic Self Defense, HERE; Esperpento, Sundance Institute; She Counts Her Dresses, The Public Theater’s Under the Radar’s Incoming! Series; Electric Lucifer, The Kitchen; Daily Life Everlasting, Eterniday, LaMama; A Play on War, Connelly Theater. Awards: Tom Murrin Award. Education: Drama B.F.A., NYU/Tisch’s Experimental Theater Wing and Playwrights Horizons Theater School; Dance/Movement Therapy M.S. Pratt Institute student.

 

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Mahnaz Damania

Ensemble

Mahnaz Damania

Mahnaz Damania

Ensemble

Mahnaz Damania

(she/her/hers) A.R.T.: Debut. Theater (India): Shikhandi – The Story of the Inbetweens (Shikhandi; Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (2018) 2018: nomination, Best Actor – Female; Winner – Best Ensemble), NCPA;: 07/07/07 (Reyhaneh Jabbari; Winner – Best Ensemble at META 2016), Prithvi; Naqqaash (Village Women Ensemble); Sundays With Chitra and Chaitali (Chitra), Three Women (Charulata), NCPA; Crumpled (Multiple Characters). TV: “New Amsterdam” (Dr. Narin Sadik), “Inside Edge.” Film: Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Tu Hai Mera Sunday, Specials.

 

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Fred Davis

Puppeteer

Fred Davis

Fred Davis

Puppeteer

Fred Davis

(he/him/his) A.R.T.: Debut. Theater: Life of Pi (Olivier Award, Best Supporting Actor), Wyndham’s Theatre; Ocean at the End of the Lane, National Theatre; Dido and Aeneas, Bodø Concert Hall, Norway; Life of Pi, The Sheffield Crucible Theatre; Peter Pan, Running Wild, Regents Park Open Air Theatre; The Hartlepool Monkey,Running Wild, UK Tour. Film/TV: “Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared;” Jurassic World: Dominion; “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.” Training: Chichester Festival Youth Theatre.

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Adi Dixit Headshot
Adi Dixit Headshot

Pi

Adi Dixit

(he/him) A.R.T: Life of Pi. Broadway: Life of Pi. TV: “Young Sheldon.” Film: Sweethearts. Education: BFA, Acting, University of Southern California.

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Avery Glymph

Father Martin/​​Russian Sailor/​​Admiral Jackson

Avery Glymph

Avery Glymph

Father Martin/​​Russian Sailor/​​Admiral Jackson

Avery Glymph

A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway: The Skin of Our Teeth, The Tempest. Off-Broadway: Roundabout Theatre Company, New York Shakespeare Festival, and Lincoln Center Theatre, among others. Regional: Nine Night, Round House Theatre; and leading roles with Pittsburgh City Theater, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Syracuse Stage, Northern Stage, Actors Theatre of Louisville, St. Louis Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, The Old Globe (West Coast premiere of The Whipping Man; San Diego Critics Circle Award and NAACP Theatre Award nominations), PlayMakers Rep, Crossroads Theatre (Regional Tony season), and others. Film/TV: Out and About, “Search Party,” “She’s Gotta Have It,” He Got Game, “Madam Secretary,” “Law & Order” (original and C.I.), and many more. Education: BFA,  The University of North Carolina School of the Arts; MFA, The Academy at STC and the George Washington University. Instagram: @averygoodactor.AveryGlymph.com

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Mahira Kakkar

Nurse/​​Amma/​​Orange Juice

Mahira Kakkar

Mahira Kakkar

Nurse/​​Amma/​​Orange Juice

Mahira Kakkar

A.R.T.: Debut. Off-Broadway: 7 Minutes, Waterwell; Here We Are, Theater for One; Opus, Primary Stages; Harper Regan, Atlantic; Romeo and Juliet, Public Theater; The Winter’s Tale, TFANA; When January Feels Like Summer, EST; Henry VI, NAATCO; Arturo Ui, Classic Stage Company; Ms. Witherspoon, Playwrights Horizons; Clive, The New Group. Regional: Skylight, McCarter Theatre; Rafta Rafta, Old Globe; Our Town, OSF; Monsoon Wedding, Berkeley Rep; Bedroom Farce, Huntington Theater Company; Inana, Denver Center; The Crucible, Cleveland Playhouse; Five Mile Lake, McCarter Theatre Center; Comedy of Errors, Hartford Stage. Film/TV: “A Suitable Boy” (series lead), “Manifest” (recurring), “New Amsterdam,” “Blue Bloods,” “Black List,” “Louie,” “Odd Mom Out,” “Sweet Refuge,” “Bite Me,” Hank and Asha (Napa Valley Film Festival Best Actress, Wild Rose Festival Best Actress, Slamdance Audience winner ), “Law & Order,” “Orange Is the New Black.” Training: Juilliard, SITI, Harold Guskin; BA, Jadavpur University. mahirakakkar.com

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Kirstin Louie

Lulu Chen

Kirstin Louie

Kirstin Louie

Lulu Chen

Kirstin Louie

(she/her/hers) A.R.T.: Debut. Regional: The Great Wave (Hana u/s), Berkeley Rep. TV: “Endeavour” (Christina). Education: MFA, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School; Jazz Vocal Studies, University of Southern California. Equity UK member.

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Rowan Magee

Puppeteer

Rowan Magee

Rowan Magee

Puppeteer

Rowan Magee

(he/him/his) A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway: Angels in America (Tony Award for Best Revival), Neil Simon Theater. Off-Broadway: Hagoromo, 69ºS, Memory Rings, BAM Harvey. International tours: The Pigeoning; Chimpanzee; Demolishing Everything with Amazing Speed, 69ºS. Film: Clifford the Big Red Dog (reference/VFX puppeteer). Curator: Object Movement Puppetry Festival and Residency (2017-2022), Center at West Park. Education: BFA, Sarah Lawrence College.

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Jonathan David Martin
Jonathan David Martin

Puppeteer

Jonathan David Martin

(he/him/his) A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway: War Horse (original Broadway cast). Off-Broadway: Olityelwe (Ndebele Funeral), 59E59 Theaters. Regional: The Heiress and Junk, Arena Stage; Describe the Night, Woolly Mammoth; Silent Sky, Ford’s Theatre; Trouble in Mind, Two River Theater; The Chosen, Portland Center Stage; The Occupant, Theater J. Virtual Reality: Finding Pandora X (Best Immersive Experience, Venice International Film Festival; Audience Award-SXSW); TV: “Believe,” “Unforgettable.” Awards: Annenberg Fellow for the Arts. Education: MFA, NYU.

 

 

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Usman Ali Ishaq

Ensemble

Usman Ali Mughal

Usman Ali Ishaq

Ensemble

Usman Ali Mughal

(he/him/his) A.R.T.: Debut. Regional: Come Fall in Love, The Old Globe; RENT, Signature Theatre; Legally Blonde, Mamma Mia!, CRT; The Rev Concert, The Rev; The Island of Dr. Moreau,, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Synetic Theater. Readings: Come Fall in Love, We Are Ameena, In the Light. Film/TV: “WeCrashed,” Wonder Woman 1984, Kringle Time, Heather Has Four Moms. Education: BFA, Musical Theater from Ithaca College. @usman.ali.mughal

 

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Uma Paranjpe

Ensemble

Uma Paranjpe

Uma Paranjpe

Ensemble

Uma Paranjpe

(she/her/hers) A.R.T.: Debut. Off-Broadway: tango of a crumbling wall, Teatro LATEA. Regional: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Catskill Mountain Shakespeare; Twelfth Night, CMS; Radial Gradient, Kennedy Center; Ramaavan, Surati Performing Arts. Workshops: The Gap; The Game of Love. Film/TV: “Orange Is the New Black.” Education: BFA, Musical Theater, University of Miami.

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Betsy Rosen

Puppeteer

Betsy Rosen

Betsy Rosen

Puppeteer

Betsy Rosen

(she/her/hers) A.R.T.: Debut. Australia: Laser Beak Man, Sydney Opera House. Regional: Argus, Lincoln Center; Long Christmas Ride Home, Astro Boy and the God of Comics, Studio Theatre; Pride and Prejudice, Round House ; A Christmas Carol, Cincinnati Playhouse, Delaware Theatre Company; The Velvet Sky, Woolly Mammoth; The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (Aslan; Helen Hayes Award), Imagination Stage. TV: “The Smack-Dab in the Middle ofthe Day Show.” Education: Theater and Mathematics, University of Maryland, College Park.

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Celia Mei Rubin

Puppeteer

Celia Mei Rubin

Celia Mei Rubin

Puppeteer

Celia Mei Rubin

(she/her/hers) A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway: A Christmas Carol, Lyceum Theatre; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Chita Rivera Award for Best Ensemble), Imperial Theatre; Matilda the Musical, Shubert Theatre. West End: Parade, Donmar Warehouse; Candide, London Coliseum. Regional: Eureka Day, Asolo Repertory Theatre; A Chorus Line, TUTS Houston. Awards Shows Performances: Tony Awards; Olivier Awards.

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Salma Shaw

Mrs. Biology Kumar/​​Zaida Khan

Salma Qarnain

Salma Shaw

Mrs. Biology Kumar/​​Zaida Khan

Salma Qarnain

(she/her/hers) A.R.T.: Debut. Off-Broadway: Bars and Measures (AUDELCO nominee); Acquittal. Off-West End: Rain and Zoe Save the World. Regional: Othello, Synetic/Kennedy Center (Helen Hayes Award); Barrio Grrrl!, Kennedy Center; Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Round House; Romeo and Juliet, Synetic (Helen Hayes Award). Workshops: Monsoon Wedding; Bak Chang. TV/Film: Silent Partner (Producer, 18 festivals, 8 Awards/Nominations, Oscar-qualified); “That Damn Michael Che” (Recurring), “People You Know” (Series Regular), “FBI,” “The Blacklist,” “Law & Order SVU,” “For Life.” Education: BS, Stanford; SM, MIT; MBA, Harvard Business School. Instagram: @salma.shaw; salmashaw.com

Actors’ Equity Association member

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David Shih

Ensemble

David Shih

David Shih

Ensemble

David Shih

(he/him/his) A.R.T.: Debut. Off-Broadway: Once Upon A (korean) Time, Ma-Yi Theater; Gnit, TFANA; KPOP, Ars Nova; Henry VI, NAATCO; Awake and Sing!, The Public/NAATCO; Somebody’s Daughter, Second Stage; Crane Story, Playwrights Realm. Regional: Kim’s Convenience, Westport Country Playhouse; The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin, Indiana Rep; The Great Wave, Berkeley Rep; Tiger Style!, La Jolla Playhouse. TV/Film: “Billions,” “Hunters,” “City on a Hill,” “Iron Fist,” “The Path,” “Blindspot,” The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Eighth Grade, Saving Face.

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Sathya Sridharan

Mamaji/​​Pandit-ji

Sathya Sridharan

Sathya Sridharan

Mamaji/​​Pandit-ji

Sathya Sridharan

(he/him/his) A.R.T.: Debut. Off-Broadway: Wives, Playwrights Horizons; An Ordinary Muslim, NYTW; India Pale Ale, MTC; The Winter’s Tale, The Public Theater; Two Mile Hollow, WP; Ultimate Beauty Bible, Page73. Regional: Our Town, Portland Center Stage; Hapgood, Williamstown Theatre Festival; The Philadelphia Story, Chautauqua Theater Company. TV/Film: “Little America,” “Succession,” “Kaleidoscope,” “Blindspot,” “Elementary,” “Prodigal Son,” “Two Sentence Horror Stories,” The Whale, Minor Premise, Bikini Moon, Dastaar. Awards: Princess Grace Award (Grace Le Vine Theater Award). Education: MFA, NYU.

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Daisuke Tsuji

Mr. Okamoto/​​Captain

Daisuke Tsuji

Daisuke Tsuji

Mr. Okamoto/​​Captain

Daisuke Tsuji

(he/him/his) A.R.T.: Debut. Regional: Cambodian Rock Band(Duch), South Coast Rep, OSF, La Jolla Playhouse; Snow in Midsummer (Handsome), OSF; With Love and a Major Organ, Boston Court Pasadena; Imogen Says Nothing (William Shakespeare), Yale Rep; The Orphan of Zhao (The Orphan of Zhao), American Conservatory Theater, La Jolla Playhouse. International: Dralion (Public Clown), Cirque du Soleil. TV: “Invasion,” “Love, Death & Robots,” “Brockmire,” “The Man in the High Castle.” Video Games: Ghost of Tsushima, Death Stranding, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. Awards: LA Drama Critics Circle Award, San Diego Theater Critics Circle Award (The Craig Noel Award). Education: BA, UCLA.

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Sonya Venugopal
Sonya Venugopal

Rani

Sonya Venugopal

(she/her/hers) A.R.T.: Debut. Regional: Come Fall in Love: The DDLJ Musical, The Old Globe; Atlantis, Virginia Rep; Wedding Singer, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Peter Pan, Next to Normal. Readings/Workshops: MĀYĀ, Come Fall in Love, Hi My Name is Ben, Picnic at Hanging Rock, In Emily’s Words. Film: Little Boxes. Education: MFA, Boston Conservatory at Berklee School of Music; BA, Santa Clara University. Instagram: @sonyeeahh

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Scarlet Wilderink

Puppeteer

Scarlet Wilderink

Scarlet Wilderink

Puppeteer

Scarlet Wilderink

(she/her/hers) A.R.T: Debut. West End: War Horse, New London Theatre; Life of Pi, Wyndham’s Theatre (Oliver Award for Best Supporting Actor); Pinocchio, National Theatre. Off-West End: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Southwark Playhouse; Putting It Together, The Other Palace. Regional: The Wicker Husband, Watermill Theatre; Treasure Island, Stephen Joseph Theatre; Watership Down, Watermill Theatre. UK Tour: The Comedy of Errors, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Running Wild. International: Cabaret, MAC Theatre. Education: Guildford School of Acting.

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Andrew Wilson

Puppeteer

Andrew Wilson

Andrew Wilson

Puppeteer

Andrew Wilson

(he/him/his) A.R.T.: Debut. Broadway: Cats. Tours: Newsies The Musical, Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan, Cats, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. NYC: Dave Malloy’s Love Around the Block, 2021 Met Gala. Opera: Turandot (Popolo Acrobat), Met Opera; Pagliacci (Troupe Gymnast), NYC Opera. Regional: Casa Mañana, Chase Brock Experience, Disneyland, La Mirada, MUNY, Pittsburgh CLO, Riverside, Sacramento Music Circus, TUTS. Film: Newsies: The Broadway Musical. Thank you to the entire team of Life of Pi and A.R.T. for this opportunity. Instagram: @andrewwilsonny

Actors’ Equity Association member

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Understudies

Understudies never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement for the appearance is made at the time of the performance.

Additional Staff

Access Staff

Director of Artistic Sign Language: Elbert Joseph
ASL Interpreters: Julia Barnes, Whitney Bright
Audio Description Consultant: Amber Pearcy
Audio Describers: Maria Hendricks, Teddy Hendricks

Audio description for this production is adapted from narrations originally written by Veronika Hyks and Emily Pollet for VocalEyes.co.uk

Relaxed Performance Consultants: Spectrum Theatre Ensemble
Occupational Therapy Consultant: Mary Beth Kadlec
Open Captioning provided by c2 Captioning

Casting

STEWART/WHITLEY
Duncan Stewart, CSA & Benton Whitley, CSA
Joey Montenarello, CSA; Micah Johnson-Levy
Darienne Orlansky; Patrick Maravilla

Special Thanks

Foresight Theatrical, Aurora Productions

Brian Lambert

Scenery and Scenic Effects built, painted, electrified, and automated by Show Motion, Inc., Milford, Connecticut.

Additional Lighting Equipment provided by Christie Lites.

Additional Sound Equipment provided by Sound Associates, Inc and Jetwave Wireless.

Additional Projections Equipment provided by Sound Associates, Inc.

Costume Alterations provided by Costume Works Inc.

Life of Pi was rehearsed at the Jackie Liebergott Black Box in the Emerson Paramount Center and at Pao Arts Center.

Actors’ Equity Association 1913The actors and stage managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

SDCThe Director of this production is a member of the STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS SOCIETY, a national theatrical labor union.

IATSE IA United Scenic Artists Local USA 829United Scenic Artists represents the designers and scenic painters for the American Theatre.

Program Notes

Scott Miller on the left has a wide grin, while Clare Perkins in a white veil and holding a bouquet of white flowers laughs. Behind them, Marcus Adolphy in a clerical collar and the company shout in celebration.

Winter 2022/23 Edition

Life of Pi and The Wife of Willesden both make their North American debuts at A.R.T. this winter. Both pieces are adaptations that examine the power of storytelling.

Read Now

Life of Pi and The Wife of Willesden both make their North American debuts at A.R.T. this winter. Both pieces are adaptations that examine the power of storytelling.

Read Now

Staff, Boards, & Donors

Staff

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Boards

People chatting outside an events tent.

A.R.T. Donors

About A.R.T.

Actors raise a glass in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

About Us

Sam Hook, Artemis Wheelock-Wood, and Rachel Myers

Education & Engagement

Pippin Curtain Call at Opening Night

Membership & Support

ASL performers at a show.

Accessibility