A Message from the Artistic Director

Dear Patrons,

Stone Soup Theatre Company began as a commitment by young graduates of SDSU’s theatre program to continue to practice the edgy, controversial work we were allowed to practice at the university, but was not promoted often enough to the general public. It began as a commitment by women artists to find a home for their craft and to promote women’s issues and women’s roles in the theatre. Our company name comes from the children’s book by Marcia Brown about a village working together to create a feast for all to enjoy.

Stone Soup has since evolved into something much more than our original intention. Our first production, Death and the Maiden by Ariel Dorfman, was in pre-production during the September 11th attacks, and we found ourselves in a unique position with that production. Dealing with issues of revenge, justice and vengeance in the wake of healing from a national tragedy, the opening night performance wowed audiences still in shock over the attacks on our country. We found that since that production we have sought plays that promote social dialogue about issues we deal with every day in this country: race, sexuality, sanity and terrorism, both foreign and domestic.

It is our hope that you can appreciate, in this ever-changing world, the need for art to push the limits and provide an open forum for such discussion. Your shared experiences as audience to our plays we hope will somehow inspire us all to make this world a better place. With all of our productions, we offer our audiences a way to take what they experienced and bring it to the outside world by providing information on how audiences can become involved in the world around them. Agree or disagree with our position, it is our hope to begin that dialogue amongst our audience members. We will not shrink from our goal to combat apathy toward these issues.

While our goal is firmly set, we depend upon the support of patrons like you to make the dialogue happen. Whether your donation comes in the form of buying a ticket, donating a costume or a piece of furniture, or making a tax-deductible donation, your support is necessary for art to thrive in our community. Contribute to the feast Stone Soup would like to provide for all, and contribute to the betterment of our community, our nation and our world.

Sincerely,
Rebecca Johannsen
Artistic Director
Stone Soup Theatre Company

Miss Julie is the fateful drama of a willful young aristocrat's seduction of her father's valet during a Midsummer's Eve celebration. (Click here for more)