About Fools Co.
Fools Company - History The company began in 1970 in Europe, where it toured English/French bilingual performance works and workshops. Prior to forming the company, the directors worked in theater and allied fields. In 1974, the company per-manently relocated to N.Y.C. and became es-tablished as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt corporation. For the next three years, it developed community-based works and toured in the U.S. In 1977, the N.Y. Founda-tion for the Arts invited the directors to join the N.Y.S. Artists-in-Schools program. Since then, the company has present-ed workshop outreach residencies in schools, com-munities, hospi-tals, and institutions. From 1982 through 1984, the company was As-sociate General Manager of the then new Off-Broadway Douglas Fairbanks Theater and Studio complex, managing nine Off-Broadway productions there. In 1983, Fools Company instituted the Inter-national OFFes-tival. This program is dedi-cated to producing unusual and original per-forming arts from around the world to help foster appreciation for contemporary performing arts and improve inter-national and intercultural harmony and understanding. Between 1983 and 1996, the OFFestival presented some 490 events from 25 countries in theater, dance, film, music, mime, mask, magic, multimedia, storytelling, and circus, at sites throughout midtown Manhattan. The OFFestival has twice been awarded a Mayoral Proclamation for contributing to the "cultural richness and excitement of New York." In 1990, the N.Y.S. Council on the Arts awarded the OFFestival a grant. The company has entered its second decade as participants in the NYS Artists-in-Schools program, and as Work Sponsor for the U.S. Dept. of Labor and Dept. of Employ-ment. It also participates in N.Y.C.'s Work Experience Program, helping train adults for future employment.