Before he became an internationally acclaimed director, Peter Sellars spent five summers in the mid-1970s as a Director, Producer, and Puppeteer, at the Historic Elitch Theatre.
From 1973 to 1977, while still a teenager and later a Harvard student, Sellars worked at Elitch’s in a variety of roles that gave him firsthand experience in staging, directing, and producing.
A highlight of his time was with the Elitch Theatre for Children, where he directed original and adventurous productions for young audiences. In 1976, he staged Master Peter’s Puppet Show, a unique blend of opera and puppetry inspired by Don Quixote. The production was widely praised for its creativity and marked one of Sellars’ earliest explorations into combining classical works with innovative theatrical techniques.
These formative summers at Elitch’s helped shape Sellars’ artistic vision and set the stage for his remarkable career. In the years that followed, he became known worldwide for daring interpretations of Mozart, Shakespeare, and Handel, as well as groundbreaking collaborations with composer John Adams on operas such as Nixon in China and The Death of Klinghoffer. The imaginative spirit first seen at Elitch’s would define a career that placed Sellars at the forefront of modern theatre and opera.
Seasons at the Theatre
- 1973
- 1974
- 1975
- 1976
- 1977
Elitch Theatre Productions/Roles:
- 1974: Hansel and Gretel (Elitch Theater for Children: Master Peter’s Puppet Show)
- 1974: Rumpelstiltskin (Elitch Theater for Children: Master Peter’s Puppet Show)
- 1974: Peter Pan (Elitch Theater for Children: Master Peter’s Puppet Show)
- 1976: Jack and the Beanstalk (Elitch Theater for Children)
Notable Roles, Awards, and Other Work:
- MacArthur Fellowship (“Genius Grant”) – 1991
- Harvard Arts Medal – 2000
- In addition to these, Sellars has received numerous honorary doctorates from institutions such as Harvard, Cambridge, and the University of London, as well as recognition from arts organizations worldwide for his innovative work in theatre and opera.
Elitch Theatre Connections:
Wikipedia Link:
