MISSION

ORIGIN Theatre Company, founded in 2002 by George C. Heslin, is a not-for-profit cross-cultural theatre company dedicated to the cultivation, development, and interpretation of new and emerging European playwrights by offering New York audiences American premieres of their work.

Origin has been carving a place for innovative, European writing in New York since its inception in 2002. The company has produced several critically acclaimed productions, including the world premiere of Rundown by award winning Irish writer Mark O’Rowe. This was our inaugural production, launching the career of Mr. O Rowe, who subsequently went on to be presented at Fishamble Theatre Company, The Bush Theatre London, The Abbey Theatre and most recently Dublin’s Gate Theatre.The American premiere of Misterman by award winning Irish writer Enda Walsh (Stewart Parker award for best Irish Writer 2000), opened off-Broadway and played to sold-out houses. It was later invited to play the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and finished at the Dublin Festival where it was short-listed in the best production and best actor categories.

Through the formation of dynamic connections between New York and Europe, we have presented the American premiere of Communion by Aidan Mathews, one of lreland's leading talents, Crestfall by Mark O Rowe, Trousers by David Parnell and Paul Meade, and The Shape of Metal by Tom Kilroy. We were honoured to be the first company in the U.S. to present the work of British writer Samuel Adamson, with our production of Clocks and Whistles.

Origin is committed to its cross-cultural mission, and will continue developing new plays with our Reading Room Series at Fordham University and our Mondays of May reading series at NYU Glucksman Ireland House. Each year we feature plays from Scotland, Wales, England and Ireland. The four events have been supported by NYU Ireland House, The Wales International Center and The Irish Consulate. Origin already has a far-reaching portfolio of new-writing projects in development.

To date, Origin has successfully co-produced with the Guna Nua Theatre, Dublin; Irish Arts Centre, NYC; The Civic Theatre, Dublin; The Irish Repertory Theatre, NYC; Daedalus Theatre, NYC; EVN Productions, NYC; Fat Chance Productions, NYC; and Draoicht Arts Centre, Dublin.