| Playwrights Premiere Theatre--Small Company with a Big Mission | | Print | |
| Written by Alexandria Hamelin | |
| Wednesday, 21 June 2006 | |
 Robert Ruffin grew up in rural Virginia with a love for theatre burning in his heart. While attending school, he found that the outlets for his love were few and far between. In pursuit of his art, he traveled to the big city, creating small shows that ran in small production houses in NYC. Eventually, though, Robert began to miss the people and lifestyle of his home...Virginia. So he returned with a mission: To bring a professional company to South-Eastern Virginia and spread the love of theatre to others like himself by traveling to rural areas with his original and unique shows.
Playwrights Premiere Theatre was founded on this principle: To provide quality, original shows and bring them to outlying areas in Virginia and beyond to those individuals who would not normally have the opportunity to see them. They have set up their home in the Kimball theatre in Merchant's Square, Williamsburg, sharing stage time with the independent films and concerts that the Kimball also hosts. Already in their short, but eventful time here in our area, PPT has developed shows for many different age groups-including their current show "Winning Libertyland"-a lighthearted show written in anticipation of Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown's anniverserial celebrations. I had a wonderful conversation with Robert Ruffin about this group that he is so passionate about. He describes PPT as a professional group that is always looking for new and local talent. He is determined to make a name for Williamsburg in the area of original theatre. His short-term goals for the company are to bring in the audiences and become a well known member of the Hampton Roads arts community. In the long term, however, PPT has a bigger goal. Ruffin would love to
As far as community service goes, PPT has managed to bring theatre to many communities. Ruffin and his group have provided school outreach programs, workshops, and other creative classes to the rural areas of Matthews and Gloucester. They have created a traveling clown show, entitled "A Day in the Life of Poptart," and are making leaps and bounds in spreading the "theatre bug" to the community. Robert Ruffin and his group are striving to make a name for themselves and the community. Above all else, Ruffin needs talent. He is calling all actors in the area to audition. "We want people to audition," Ruffin vehemently calls. Without local talent, PPT may not be able to accomplish their goals... big goals for a little theatre. |
make Williamsburg the Sundance of the theatre world 