Company Origins
The history of Company One is as rich and varied as the company itself. Budding from the wellspring of inspiration in the university setting, the "Island Project" was the first incarnation of what would later become Company One. Six highly motivated young individuals, seeking to transcend the table-waiting lifestyle so traditional for young theatre professionals, chose instead to create a nurturing environment born of and revolving around relentless self-motivation and limitless creative opportunities. The six individuals, four of whom now comprise the board-of-directors for Company One, in seeking the perfect environment to embark on an intense process of creation, chose Great Diamond Island off the coast of Portland, Maine. In doing so, we, like so many artists before us, turned to the eternally invigorating energy of nature to fuel our expression. That summer, our limited experience took a back seat to our raw talent and indefatigable dedication as, piece by piece, we built an unshakable foundation upon which Company One would later be built. Touring with David Ives' All In the Timing, we blazed a trail of box-office success through several major east-coast cities, a feat that astounded even our staunchest supporters. Crowds gathered in Boston, New Haven and Portland, Maine to witness the making of a new, innovative, and utterly exciting performance art company. Eager to continue working together and confident of future success, the members of "The Island Project," went on to found Company One in the fall of 1998.