Open this book to any of the four plays collected here and the face of America will be reflected back to you. The faces are Somali, Russian, Native American, West Indian, Puerto Rican, Caucasian, Mexican. These plays represent a passionate, intentional effort on the part of the Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) to commission and produce plays that highlight and celebrate the diversity of the American landscape.

Since 1998, when artistic director Peter Brosius established Threshold, CTC’s new play development program, the theatre has created and produced more than thirty new plays. It has enlisted many of the nation’s leading playwrights...

The world premier ofAverage Familyopened on September 7, 2007, at Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota.Average Familywas funded in part by The Marshall Group.

Scenic and costume design: G. W. Mercier

Lighting design: Geoff Korf

Sound design: André Pluess

Fight choreography: Ted Sharon

Video production: Ron Halpern of Moxie Productions

Stage manager: Chris Schweiger

Assistant stage manager: Megan Traina

Assistant director: Leah Starr

Assistant lighting designer: David Riisager

Nathan Roubidoux

Debra Roubidoux

Mikenzie Roubidoux

Marshel Roubidoux

Mikal’ Roubidoux

Jack Park

Rodney Monroe

Jonathan Monroe

Luke Monroe

Sarah Monroe

A brief video montage features four different families. This...

The world premier ofBrooklyn Bridgeopened on January 21, 2005, at Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota.Brooklyn Bridgewas developed through a collaboration with New Dramatists funded by the Jerome Foundation and produced in association with AT&T: Onstage administered by Theatre Communications Group.

Scenic design: Louisa Thompson

Costume design: Maiko Matsushima

Lighting design: Matt Frey

Sound design: Victor Zupanc and Chris Heagle

Dramaturgy: Elissa Adams

Ensemble codirector: Matthew Howe

Stage manager: Kathryn Sam Loftin

Assistant stage manager: Erin Tatge

Sasha

Sam

Trudi

John

Talidia

Singer/Songwriter

Man with bass

Man with drums

Mail carrier

Pizza delivery man

Washington roebling

Emily...

The world premier ofEsperanza Risingopened on March 17, 2006, at Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota.Esperanza Risingwas funded in part by The Joyce Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Music composition: Victor Zupanc

Scenic design: Riccardo Hernandez

Costume design: James Schuette

Lighting design: Matt Frey

Sound design: Victor Zupanc

Dramaturgy: Elissa Adams

Choreography: Joe Chvala

Stage manager: Chris Schweiger

Assistant stage manager: Jody Gavin

Ensemble: Chelsea Bohmer, Tegan Carr, Jacob Duhon, Patric Faunillan, Kate Howell, Ryan Howell, Katie Moss, Natasha Roy, Gabrielle Silverman, and Kaliya Warren.

Musicians: Roberto Rodriguez (vihuela and guitar), Joe Cruz (guitarrón...

The world premier ofSnapshot Silhouetteopened on March 19, 2004, at Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota.Snapshot Silhouettewas written with support from Sundance Writers’ Retreat at Ucross.

Scenic design: Troy Hourie

Costume design: Christal Weatherly

Lighting design: Jane Cox

Music: Victor Zupanc

Sound design: Victor Zupanc and Chris Heagle

Dramaturgy: Elissa Adams

Stage manager: Stacy McIntosh

Assistant stage manager: Chris Schweiger

There are three main characters: Najma, Tay C, and Laine. A company may double for the rest. The white esl teacher may be played by a Latina or light black actress.

The stage directions (characters ascending and...