snake theater
SNAKE was an experimental performing arts company which produced only original work. Founded In 1972, in Venice, California, by Co-Directors Laura Farabough and Chris Hardman, SNAKE created thirty-three plays and smaller theater pieces during its first five years.
After relocating to Northern California, SNAKE toured Mexico in 1976 under the auspices of the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes.
In 1977, Musical Director Larry Graber and Assistant Director Evie Lewis joined SNAKE. After 1977, all SNAKE productions were a collaboration of these four artistic directors.
SNAKE created three major new works in 1978 which began the California Series: plays which explored experiences particular to West Coast life primarily performed in locations integral to their purposes. The spring play, SOMEWHERE IN THE PACIFIC, was presented on the beach at Fort Cronkhite, Marin County. In the summer, HER BUILDING was presented in front of Sausalito City Hall. The fall production, 24TH HOUR CAFE, was performed in San Francisco and then toured California, sponsored by the California Arts Council.
SNAKE's achievement was recognized by the Bay Area Drama Critics Circle in 1978 with an award for "New Directions In Theater." During 1979, SNAKE created a major new location piece called AUTO, this piece was performed at an abandoned Mohawk gas station in Sausalito. RIDE HARD/DIE FAST toured to several European theater festivals in Germany and Italy in early 1980.
SNAKE's work received national and international recognition. It received support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund, the San Francisco Foundation and the Zellerbach Family Fund. SNAKE also received in-kind contributions from numerous Bay Area businesses.