Our Backs to the Wall Players

Las Vegas, Nevada

A couple of years ago, several theatre artists gathered in an apartment and declared that they were tired of grumbling about not getting the type of theatre they wanted in the Las Vegas area. They were fed up with never seeing what they wanted to see as artists and never doing what they wanted as artists. Most were University students, and a few alumni. Among them were actors, techies, playwrights, a director and designers. Suddenly a thought struck them--why not create a theatre that spoke to and for them? A theatre company that would support ensemble performances and a collaberative atmosphere? A company that would have as part of it's mission statement the guarantee that there would never be a Rodgers and Hammerstein or Niel Simon play produced under it's name, and no fussy old fart mentalities allowed? A troupe whose members could be of any race, age, culture, gender or inclination--as long as the heart was young and the soul was bold? A company that understood the basic paranoia underlying struggling theatrical artists and their enterprises? (A prediliction for tequila was to be considered a plus when considering new members). Thus, Our Backs to the Wall Players was born. It hasn't been easy. It's been exhausting. There have been bumps and tears along the road--along with several stunning miracles. It's also been a hell of a lot of fun.