Know a Theatre: American Players Theatre of Spring Green, Wisc.

Artistic Director Brenda DeVita talks all things APT with American Theatre's Allison Considine.

SPRING GREEN, WISC.: Spring Green is known for Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin estate, cheese factories, and its sprawling golf courses. The lush village, with a population of 1,647, is also home to American Players Theatre. Nestled below the Wisconsin River on 110 acres of land, the company boasts an outdoor amphitheatre and an intimate indoor performance space. Summer theatregoers flock to the site for picnics on the grounds by day and starlit performances of classic plays by night. We spoke to artistic director Brenda DeVita via email about programming a repertory summer season and the obstacles of mounting theatre outside.

Who founded American Players Theatre, when, and why?

APT was founded in 1977 by Randall Duk Kim, Anne Occhiogrosso, and Charles J. Bright, with the goal of establishing a major classical repertory theatre. In 1979, feeling the need for a permanent home away from urban areas, they acquired land outside of tiny Spring Green. The first performance, A Midsummer Night's Dream, was held on July 18, 1980.

Tell us about yourself and your connection to APT.

The first time I sat under the sky on a hillside with about 800 others, watching the best Romeo and Juliet production I had ever seen, I fell in love with APT. 'Take him and cut him into little stars-' Under the stars- yes. It was love.

In the 23 years since, I have worked in several positions, learning every aspect of the organization I could. (It's amazing what you are allowed to do if you are willing to do it for free.)

For the last 13 years, I served as casting director, associate artistic director, and most recently as the artistic director. Building on the original impulse of the founders that these challenging plays require focus and dedication, I helped to form our Core Acting Company and our Apprentice/Journeyman Program-affording actors an artistic home with the prospect to grow and to be great. As a former actor, I understood what a rare and glorious opportunity this was for everyone-audience included.

What sets your theatre apart from others in your region?

APT is a classical outdoor theatre that performs in a nine-play season in true rotating repertory in the rolling hills of rural Wisconsin. We do classical plays in the woods. Literally. More than 110,000 people come every summer to see shows in our 1,100-seat outdoor Hill Theatre and our 200-seat indoor Touchstone Theatre.

We have a core company of actors and artisans who have committed their lives to the exploration and the playing of the classics. The unique demands of our setting and the specificity of our aesthetic attract like-minded artists who revel in its rigor and rewards. Together we have the freedom to learn and grow- and even fail. That's a gift.

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