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 Brian Jucha and Catastrophic Theatre Artists – 2019
by Chana Porter – 2018
by Mickle Maher – 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
featuring songs and concepts by Black Francis and Herman Brood, adapted for the stage by Jason Nodler from an idea by Pixies biographer Josh Frank – 2010
adapted by Jason Nodler with words and music by Daniel Johnson – 2009
Troy Shulze’s original play about an infamous street artist – 2008
An original musical performed each summer, created by Tamarie Cooper and other Catastrophic Theatre artists. 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], and Tamarie 20/20 [2020].
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