At Central Works, we make plays. We write, develop, and produce plays. Our focus is originality: original ideas, original conceptions, original plays. We offer our community daring, intimate productions at affordable prices, while bringing theater artists together as partners in the creation and development of intellectually and emotionally demanding works. With sliding scales and weekly "pay what you can" performances, we present affordable, challenging and professional productions of new works .

Central Works has been named "The Best Small Theater Company" in the East Bay Express ("consistently smart, thought-provoking, and unflinching: theater for people who want to stretch their brains and have their assumptions challenged"). We have been lauded as "intrepid" & "gutsy," (R. Hurwitt, S.F. Examiner), "....a model of superior, low-budget theater attuned to the needs of contemporary audiences," (R. Roberts, Express) and "on the must see list for theatergoers craving intellectual challenge and stimulating productions" (Carol Egan, Hills Publications).

Formed in 1991, Central Works' primary focus is the collaborative development of original works. We have cultivated our own approach to play development, the Central Works Method, which builds on the model of The Joint Stock Theatre Company of Britain (which fostered such talents as actor Simon Callow, director Mark Wing-Davey and writer Caryl Churchill). Roux, our first Central Works Method play, was described by the East Bay Express as "...a taut, tense, intriguing scenario reminiscent of early Pinter or Albee." Since then, we have developed our collaborative method, taking on every topic from the Middle East in Lionheart; the last great crusade, an historical look with striking contemporary resonance (" ...a powerful and gripping experience." --Lisa Drostova, East Bay Express), to the sisters of King Lear, which used the classic play as its departure point, and became a hilarious investigation of contemporary family dynamics and aging ("A sharp, dark comedy played with incisive intensity" --Jack Tucker, Contra Costa Times). Literary adaptations include the Chekhov novella The Duel ("Essentially a new Chekhov play ...comic, wistful, scathingly ironic and deeply humane..." --Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle) and Dostoevsky's The Grand Inquisitor (a soul-scouring 80-minute showdown...compelling drama that probes themes about faith, compassion and expediency in our time--ibid). The timely production, Enemy Combatant, examined U.S. treatment of alleged terrorists (" ...insightful...a most complex and vital piece." --Deborah Giattina, San Francisco Guardian) and Shadow Crossing took on the immigration issue ("Questions of immigration, law, justice, gay civil rights and border politics face off to provocative effect in Central Works' world premiere of Brian Thorstenson's drama. Smoothly and sometimes tensely staged...the almost head-spinning juxtapositions reflect our reality to continually thought-provoking effect. And the beautifully delineated performances...keep one's attention riveted to the stage." --Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle)

Central Works' goal is to create a unique theatrical experience. We create original works, bringing our ensemble together as full artistic partners in this process. We have established a unique creative environment that is equally inviting to writers, designers and performers, offering challenging, professional productions for artists and audience alike. And finally, we bring exciting new works both to our community and to the body of dramatic literature.

Central Works Theater Ensemble is dedicated to creative collaboration in its mission to bring original works of the theater to our community at an affordable price.

Central Works: we make plays!