In 2004 Carrie was involved in a brainstorming session with company members of Run of the Mill Theater in Baltimore.  They wanted to ask their audience “What do you want to see on stage?”  They decided to ask the audience in a way that was fun and playful - by throwing a party - to result in gathering source material for playwrights who were interested in writing for the festival.  Thus the Variations Project was born.

 

The first Variations party took place at Carrie’s private home in downtown Baltimore, which added to the community feeling of the project, as playwrights, directors, actors, improv comedy performers, stage managers, designers, and enthusiasts mingled, every conversation a possibility for inspiration.

 

As a result, an evening where 10 plays, 5 actors, directed by 4 directors, all based on the theme of “Desire,” was born, starting an annual event.

 

The purposes of the Variations Project are many, and include:

        *Raising Awareness of an Individual Theater Company, and the Theatre Community at Large

        *Creating a Social Opportunity for Local Theatre Artists

        *Creating Opportunities for Local Playwrights

        *Exploration of a Common Theme

        *Engaging a Variety of Artists and Theatre Companies in the Creation of Theatre    

                

For more information on the Variations Project, or to produce your own Variations Project,