The Ensemble Theatre is planning "a creative and very ambitious season for 2010,” Producing Artistic Director Garry Lee Posey said.

He said the theme for the 13 productions ETC is planning this season comes right from ETC’s mission statement.

Producing Partner Christy Gallo saudm "We were thinking about a theme for the season and while staring at the mission statement, the phrase ‘theatre that defiantly explores our craft’ resonated very strongly with me. So we used that phrase to guide our choices.”

John Thomas Cecil, director of talent, said "When glancing at ETC”s season, it becomes very clear that this theatre company takes risks. We are carving out a niche here in Chattanooga, creating something unique for theatre artists and for theatre audiences. We’re trying to change the perception of the theatrical experience.”

Of the planned 13 productions, only five of them come from published scripts. The other eight productions will be original pieces created specifically for ETC.

The 2010 season opens in February with an original exploration of the seven deadly sins, called “The Deadlies.” Seven actor/writers and Mr. Posey will create the script through improvisation and rehearsals.

“We approach the sins from seven different perspectives: Literally, Metaphorically, Biblically, Hysterically, Criminally, Secretively and Personally,” he said.

In March, ETC will revive “This is Not a Pipe Dream” by Barry Kornhauser and run it in repertory with “Delirium of Interpretations” by Fiona Templeton. Each of these two plays in March focus on visual artists as their subjects.

Kornhauser’s play uses comic antics to explore the life of surrealist painter Rene Magritte and Templeton uses dramatic poetry to create her anti-biography of sculptor Camille Claudel-Rodin’s mistress.

In April, ETC will present a unique project called “Mixed Media.” Mixed Media features five local visual artists, four new plays and four local actors in a theatrical experience where art inspired theatre which inspired more art. Local glass and metal sculptor Thomas Spake created a new piece which provided the inspiration for four new short plays written by out of town playwrights. Those four plays then served as the inspiration for four new pieces of visual art.

The four short plays will be jointly presented in the standard two-act format. The art will serve a functional purpose as props or set dressing for each of the four short plays.

Mr. Posey said, “With this project we really wanted to collaborate with another discipline in an effort to increase exposure for every artist involved.”

May ushers in “columbinus” by the United States Theatre Project and another cross discipline artistic collaboration. Local poet Laurie Perry Vaughen will craft a series of poems in response to “columbinus” which is a highly stylized dramatic account of the Columbine High School murders in 1999. “This is a tough play, but the message is very clear: stereotypes can define, guide and destroy us,” said Mr. Cecil. Vaughen’s poetry will be performed by the cast of “columbinus” and the presentations will run in repertory with the play.

Short Attention Span Theatre, ETC’s annual 10-minute play festival, returns in June with eight new plays focusing on a specific theme. This summer’s theme will feature plays about dysfunctional families. The remainder of the summer will feature two original pieces rotating every Saturday.

“Dreamland” will feature dramatic interpretations and readings of Edgar Allan Poe and “Not Suitable For Children” will feature some of The Brothers Grimm’s most grim fairy tales.

Shakespeare returns in August with ETC’s unique interpretation of “Romeo and Juliet.” Mr. Gallo said, “We had such great success with our version of 'Hamlet,' we wanted to attempt another of the Bard’s works and put our spin on that productions as well.”

So far this season ETC has collaborated with visual artists and writers, add dancers to the list. “We don’t want to let all of our surprises out of the bag, but let's just say dance will figure greatly into this adaptation,” said Mr. Posey.

The remainder of the fall finds German playwright Peter Handke’s well-known play “Kaspar” and a yet-to-be-decided Youth and Family play which will be offered as a tour to local elementary schools.

Mr. Posey said, "One of ETC’s most ambitious and exciting presentations will close out 2010. ‘A Silent Christmas’ is a theatrical experiment worthy of note."

Ms. Gallo said, “We are still working out the details, but the premise of the production is that we will combine pantomime and sacred music into what we hope will be a moving production that embodies the spirit and energy of Christmas.”

ETC will also offer its New Play Readings series featuring staged readings of unpublished plays that are submitted from playwrights worldwide.

Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga is housed at the St. Andrews Center in Historic Highland Park. Performances are generally scheduled Friday nights at 7:30 and Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2:30.

Ticket prices range from $4 to $10. Season tickets are available for $100 and entitle the bearer to see every show as many times as they would like.

More information about the season, programming, and opportunities can be found by visiting the web at www.ensembletheatreofchattanooga.org, emailing ensemble.theatre.chattanooga@gmail.com or calling 423 987-5141.