Paul Alexander Forms Artists Theatre Group, Inc. Company

Playwright and director Paul Alexander has announced the creation of a new, not-for-profit theatre company that will spotlight what has historically been the focus of the theatre: the artist.

"It's called The Artists Theatre Group, Inc., and its goal, according to its mission statement, 'is to nurture the voice of the artist—the actor, the writer, the director, the choreographer, the designer—while at the same time attempting to develop an ongoing audience who wants to be challenged and moved by the theatre,'" state press materials.

Alexander will serve as Artistic Director. He is the author of several books, including Boulevard of Broken Dreams, a biography of James Dean, and Rough Magic, a biography of Sylvia Plath. He also wrote and directed Edge, the award-winning one-woman play about Plath. He is a member of the Playwrights and Directors Unit of the Actors Studio.

The initial board of advisors of the company includes Maria Cooper Janis, Matthew Modine, Maya Days, Judy Freed, Arnie Mazer, Catherine Green, Madeline Lee Gilford and Robert Butters. Iris Gordon Rossi will serve as Managing Director.

The company's first production, to open later this year, will be announced shortly.