We imagine, commission, develop and produce provocative new work that’s highly emotional. The plays we select are characterized by their ambiguity regarding life’s big questions, encouraging as many possible interpretations as there are audience members.
We’re just opening the door.
Since our launch in 2007, our productions have benefited from the chemistry of artists who’ve worked together for many years. In the case of Catastrophic Theatre founders Jason Nodler and Tamarie Cooper, who also founded nationally acclaimed Infernal Bridegroom Productions in 1993, that would be more than two decades of collaboration. Many of our artists have dedicated their entire careers to working together, and their deep, trusting relationships are reflected on the stage.
Our audience is also a crucial collaborator in our work, following us down dark hallways with no guarantee of light at the end of the journey. They share no specific demographic save a willingness to be challenged. Their trust in us empowers our way forward.
By Candice D’Meza – 2023
By Brian Jucha with the Catastrophic ensemble – 2022
by Afsaneh Aayani – 2022
by the Catastrophic artists – 2020 to 2021
by Candice D’Meza – 2021
by Greg Dean – 2021
by Jason Nodler with songs and concepts by Daniel Johnston – 2019
by Brian Jucha and Catastrophic Theatre Artists – 2019
by Chana Porter – 2018
book by Mickle Maher, music and lyrics by Merel Van Dijk and Anthony Barilla – 2018
by Chana Porter – 2018
by Donald Barthelme, adapted by Greg Dean – 2017
by Mark Schultz – 2015
by Miki Johnson – 2014
by Mickle Maher – 2013
by Miki Johnson – 2012
by Miki Johnson – 2012
by Jason Nodler with songs by Black Francis and Herman Brood – 2010
by Jason Nodler with songs and concepts by Daniel Johnston – 2009
by Troy Schulze – 2008
An original musical performed each summer, created by by Tamarie Cooper, Patrick Reynolds, and others. Past shows include The Tamarie Cooper Show [2008], Tamarie Cooper: Journey to The Center of My Brain in 3D [2009], The United States of Tamarie [2011], Tamarie Cooper’s Doomsday Revue [2012], Tamarie Cooper’s Old as Hell [2013], A Very Tamarie Christmas [2014], The University of Tamarie [2015], Tamarie For President: Greatest Hits (vol 2) [2016], Tamarie Cooper’s Merry Evening of Mistakes and Regrets [2017], The Tamarie Cooper Show: Field Trip! [2018], Tamarie 20/20 [2020], Tamarie Cooper’s Holiday Super Show [2021], Tamarie Cooper’s Golden Jubilee [2021], Tamarie Cooper’s LIVE IN-PERSON Sticky Sweet Summer Show! [2022], and Tamarie’s Totally True Revue (plus lies too! [2023], Tamarie’s Texas Toast! [2024]
FINALISTS – Best Play/Production (Trevor); Best Actress (Tamarie Cooper – Song About Himself); Best Supporting Actor (Rutherford Cravens as Dodge in Buried Child); Best Lighting (Hudson Davis – Trevor, David Gipson/Full Media Jacket Video Design – Snow White, Dustin Tannahill – Song About Himself); Best Sound (Chris Bakos – Song About Himself, Tim Thomson – Snow White); Best Director (Tamarie Cooper -Trevor, Greg Dean – Snow White)
Houston Press Best New Play – 2014
Houston Press Theater Awards – 2012