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MISSION-----continue - back to top

The August Strindberg Society of Los Angeles (TASSLA), in existence since 1986, is dedicated to the express purpose of presenting the works of Swedish dramatist August Strindberg.

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HISTORY-----continue - back to top

The August Strindberg Society of Los Angeles (TASSLA) was formed in 1986 as a vehicle to explore the great body of work of the father of modern drama, August Strindberg. While this was an opportunity for the artistic community to work on quality material, it was apparent that many of the great roles of European literature had not previously been performed by or shared with ethnic and diverse communities and this became an inherent aspect of TASSLA productions.

Diverse casting served to deepen the integral truths inherent in the spiritual conflicts depicted by August Strindberg and the full gravity of the scope of his work found new life in its ability to enrich and transcend cultures and ethnicities. The Scandinavian population have been both supportive and eager to share their culture with minority and diverse audiences and this has strengthened relationships and understanding, creating a bridge of communication, the development of quality performances and the presentation of these performances to audiences which would not have otherwise have found exposure to the work of August Strindberg.

TASSLA sponsored "Hellava Guy", "Earth Nut", and "Strindberg Songs", all performed by Swedish guest artists. In 2000 TASSLA produced in tandem with The Consulate General of Sweden of Los Angeles in cooperation with UC/Berkeley an exhibition of the photography of August Strindberg which was circulated for the first time in the United States by the Consulate General. TASSLA was invited to Stockholm to perform in the annual August Strindberg Festival in 1998 where they performed "The Father" with an Afro-American cast to critical acclaim. TASSLA continues to obtain obscure Strindberg manuscripts and strives to commission scholars in their translation to English. A full production of "The Father" was presented in Los Angeles in 2000 to rave reviews and was garnered the prestigious NAACP Image Award for Best Production in a Small Theater. TASSLA plans a transposition contest to encourage and support the writing community in the in-depth exploration of Strindberg material.

TASSLA recently performed the premiere English reading of "Abu Casem's Slippers" which was translated by Anne-Charlotte Harvey. TASSLA was invited to perform at the Swedish Consulate residence of Los Angeles for their recent month long "Beyond Blond" event. TASSLA did a premiere concert reading of "Strindberg In Love," our original piece based on the diaries, notes and letters of August Strindberg and his wives.

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ARTISTIC DIRECTOR-----continue - back to top

David Patch, Artistic Director and Founder of TASSLA, has been a prominent vehicle in spreading Strindberg's genius which he discovered while playing the role of Gustav in "The Creditors".

He has ceaselessly sought to produce all sixty-two of the plays of Strindberg, worked with the Consulate General of Sweden to bring the photography of Strindberg to the United States for a touring exhibition, presented films and readings throughout the Los Angeles area, developed new material from existing and obscure documents, and facilitated new translations of existing work. David adamantly believes that all serious students of theater need to explore the implicit and complicated spiritual conflicts depicted in the work of August Strindberg as a foundation for developing true artistry as an actor, writer or director.

Interest quickly developed for the "obscure" playwright and TASSLA found that many actors and directors were eager to explore the truths and highly-charged conflicts of Strindberg's plays and has consistently been able to generate interest in Strindberg projects throughout the theater community.

David Patch has performed in three Broadway productions, three national companies and twenty-five off-Broadway productions and regional theaters. His producer credits include "The Cherry Orchard", "Miss Julie", "The Creditors", "The Pelican" and "The Pariah" and "Cash Flow", which won seven Dramalogue awards. He has directed staged readings of "Strindberg in Love", "Crimes and Crimes", "What Now", "Eepsnorpsh", and directed "4 Mile Hill" for The Actor's Studio, and "The Father", which won the NAACP Image Award. Ultimately, David would like to see The August Strindberg Society of Los Angeles develop a permanent home where the serious student could do intense focused studies on the dramatic literature of August Strindberg and further exploration and development of existing works to be produced.

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REVIEW SAMPLER-----continue - back to top

Click on a link below to see reviews:

A Touch of Genius
The Stronger/ The Creditors
The Pelican
Miss Julie
The Father

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PRODUCTIONS / READINGS---- - back to top

The following is a list of works that TASSLA has produced and or performed as a reading:
A Mother's Love Abu Casem's Slippers Advent Charles XII Comrades Creditors Crimes and Crimes Easter Erik XIV Facing Death Gustav Adolf Gustav Vasa Lucky Per's Journey Master Olof Miss Julie Pariah Playing with Fire	Queen Christina Simoom Swanwhite The Black Glove The Bond The Burned House The Dance of Death, Part I The Father The First Warning The Ghost Sonata The Great Highway The Outlaw The Pelican The Stronger To Damascus,Part I To Damascus, Part II To Damascus, Part III