Who was Thornton Wilder?

Thornton Wilder was a prolific author and playwright. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1938 for his work on Our Town in addition to winning for The Skin of Our Teeth and The Bridge of San Luis Rey. He's the only person to have won for both theatre and novels. Wilder's work often focuses on large, allegorical stories that explore the nature of humanity over time.

Why do the actors break the fourth wall/speak directly to the audience in this play?

The tradition of "breaking the fourth wall" allows different characters to connect directly to the audience. (This is considered a convention of theatricalism--a style where plays draw attention to the fact that it's a live performance.) Rather than simply observing the world of the play, the audience has an opportunity to hear from characters directly. For Wilder, this approach was incredibly unusual and unexpected when he first wrote Our Town. Audiences were caught off-guard by the narration from the Stage Manager, and it allowed the play to move across years more quickly and efficiently. 

Who is the ensemble? What is their purpose?

The ensemble for our production help illuminate the world of Grover's Corners. Inspired by the work of Frantic Assembly, we used movement and choreography to explore what particular moments might feel like. (For instance, considering the moment when George and Emily start falling in love.) You can read more about Frantic Assembly on the "For Students" page.

What's a dramaturg?

A dramaturg is someone who helps analyze a play and provide research to the cast and creative team. These resources can help support them as they collaborate on the production as a whole. Dramaturgs also help curate resources for the audience, including study guides, program notes, or post-show discussions.